City comparison
Yes. Henderson's crime index is 85 versus 193 in Durham, and its violent crime index is 72 versus 163, using 2024-2025 FBI data.
Durham is cheaper. Median rent is $1,508 a month versus $1,824 in Henderson.
Safety is where Henderson and Durham split most clearly. Henderson scores 108 points better on the crime index, a gap that shows up in evening walks, parking situations, and insurance rates. Rent runs $1,824 in Henderson and $1,508 in Durham.
Henderson is not a close call here. It leads on the job market, safety, and weather by margins that add up in daily life. Durham makes sense if you have a specific reason, a job offer, family, or a neighborhood you already know, but on the numbers alone Henderson is the stronger move.
The rent gap is real but neighborhoods matter. Durham at $1,508 average has pockets that run $1,308 and others at $1,908: your actual number depends on which part of the city you land in.
The move
Henderson and Durham are 2,005 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,824 a month in Henderson to $1,508 a month in Durham, down $316 a month (17%).
Median household income goes from $90,138 in Henderson to $81,619 in Durham, down $8,519 (9%).
The crime index goes from 85 in Henderson to 193 in Durham, up 108 points (127%).
The move
Durham and Henderson are 2,005 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,508 a month in Durham to $1,824 a month in Henderson, up $316 a month (21%).
Median household income goes from $81,619 in Durham to $90,138 in Henderson, up $8,519 (10%).
The crime index goes from 193 in Durham to 85 in Henderson, down 108 points (56%).
Henderson, NV
School quality varies by neighborhood. Check GreatSchools.org for current ratings.
Durham, NC
School quality varies by neighborhood. Check GreatSchools.org for current ratings.
Comparing Henderson and Durham? Check mortgage rates before you decide where to buy.
Rent
17% cheaper
Durham rent is 17% cheaper than Henderson
Henderson
$1,824/mo
Durham
Winner$1,508/mo
Typical rent runs $1,508 a month in Durham versus $1,824 in Henderson, so Durham is 17% cheaper. A meaningful but not dramatic gap. Factor it into your budget alongside salary differences between the two markets. Over a year the spread is about $3,792, enough to notice in savings, not enough to ignore schools, safety, or pay. Durham still wins on housing cost; just do not let a 10–20% rent edge override a job that only exists in Henderson.
Planning to buy in Henderson? Check mortgage rates before you decide.
Median income
10% higher
Henderson's median income is 10% higher than Durham
Henderson
Winner$90,138
Durham
$81,619
Median household income is $90,138 in Henderson versus $81,619 in Durham, so typical pay runs 10% higher in Henderson (about $8,519 more household income a year). The income edge is modest. Treat it as extra negotiating context, not a reason to ignore rent, schools, or climate. Remote workers especially should not treat citywide pay as a personal raise if their employer will not localize salary.
Crime index
56% lower crime
Henderson's crime index is 56% lower than Durham
Henderson
Winner85 (100 = avg)
Durham
193 (100 = avg)
Henderson's crime index is 85 versus 193 in Durham (100 = national average), so citywide crime runs 56% lower in Henderson. That gap is meaningful day-to-day. It affects whether you feel comfortable walking at night, leaving your car on the street, or letting kids play outside unsupervised. Indexes still compress a lot of reality: a calmer city has blocks you would skip, and a higher-crime city has streets that feel neighborly at 10 p.m. On the everyday test of walking from the car to the door, Henderson is the easier city. Durham can still work if you pick the right pocket. Just budget more diligence before you sign a lease.
Typical weather
20% more comfortable
Henderson weather is 20% more comfortable than Durham
Henderson
Winner74°F avg · 82°F highs · comfort 100/100
Durham
59°F avg · 68°F highs · comfort 83/100
Henderson averages about 74°F (82°F highs); Durham averages about 59°F (68°F highs). Henderson sits near 74°F on average, a range where people can be outside without fighting extreme heat or cold. Durham averages around 59°F, so jackets, heating bills, and shorter outdoor seasons are part of daily life. Henderson scores 20% closer to the 65-80°F comfort band on this page, so it is the easier default for year-round outdoor errands and evenings. Choose Durham if you already prefer its hotter or cooler pattern and have budgeted for the AC or heating that comes with it.
Fit check
Career-focused movers who want salary upside plus year-round outdoor access
It is also a match for career-focused movers who want salary upside and year-round outdoor access. Median household income runs 10% higher ($90,138), and typical weather is the more comfortable of the two (around 74°F). That pairing is for people who will work hard and then actually use the evenings.
Henderson is the better fit for families with young children and retirees who prioritize peace of mind over urban energy. The crime index is 56% lower than Durham (85 vs a 100 national average). That gap shows up in how freely you walk at night and how much attention you spend on the car and the deadbolt.
Fit check
People with a job, family, or neighborhood already pulling them to Durham
Durham is the clearer landing pad if housing cost is what keeps you up at night. Typical rent is 17% cheaper here at about $1,508 a month. Choose Durham if you are stretching a salary, starting over, or want slack for travel and debt instead of a flashier skyline.
Bottom line
Safety is the widest gap: Henderson scores 65/100 versus 40/100 in Durham. Rent is $1,824/month in Henderson and $1,508/month in Durham, so you are not buying calm streets for free.
Henderson still pays more locally ($90,138 median income vs $81,619), which can offset the lease if your field pays Henderson rates.
Weather averages land near 74°F in Henderson and 59°F in Durham.
Between Henderson and Durham, Henderson is ahead on safety — 65/100 safety versus 40/100. Lean Durham instead when you already know the Durham block you would live on and the safety gap is acceptable.
Common questions
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Next steps
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Nearby research
Open full neighborhood reports for Henderson and Durham, plus other cities in NV and NC.
