City comparison
Yes. Jacksonville's crime index is 150 versus 193 in Durham, and its violent crime index is 155 versus 163, using 2024-2025 FBI data.
Jacksonville is cheaper. Median rent is $1,465 a month versus $1,508 in Durham.
Safety is where Jacksonville and Durham split most clearly. Jacksonville scores 43 points better on the crime index, a gap that shows up in evening walks, parking situations, and insurance rates. Rent runs $1,465 in Jacksonville and $1,508 in Durham.
Jacksonville is not a close call here. It leads on cost of living, 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 Jacksonville is the stronger move.
The crime gap is citywide. Jacksonville has rougher pockets and Durham has quiet ones: the index tells you the average, not your block.
The move
Jacksonville and Durham are 422 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,465 a month in Jacksonville to $1,508 a month in Durham, up $43 a month (3%).
Median household income goes from $69,872 in Jacksonville to $81,619 in Durham, up $11,747 (17%).
The crime index goes from 150 in Jacksonville to 193 in Durham, up 43 points (29%).
The move
Durham and Jacksonville are 422 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,508 a month in Durham to $1,465 a month in Jacksonville, down $43 a month (3%).
Median household income goes from $81,619 in Durham to $69,872 in Jacksonville, down $11,747 (14%).
The crime index goes from 193 in Durham to 150 in Jacksonville, down 43 points (22%).
Jacksonville, FL
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 Jacksonville and Durham? Check mortgage rates before you decide where to buy.
Rent
3% cheaper
Jacksonville rent is 3% cheaper than Durham
Jacksonville
Winner$1,465/mo
Durham
$1,508/mo
Typical rent runs $1,465 a month in Jacksonville versus $1,508 in Durham, so Jacksonville is 3% cheaper. The monthly spread is about $43, or $516 a year: noticeable, but rent alone should not pick the city. Use this as a tie-breaker after you compare income, schools, and crime, unless you are already stretching every dollar.
Planning to buy in Jacksonville? Check mortgage rates before you decide.
Median income
17% higher
Durham's median income is 17% higher than Jacksonville
Jacksonville
$69,872
Durham
Winner$81,619
Median household income is $81,619 in Durham versus $69,872 in Jacksonville, so typical pay runs 17% higher in Durham (about $11,747 more household income a year). Higher median income usually signals a stronger local job market and better negotiating leverage on salary. Remote workers should weigh this against cost of living rather than treating it as a direct personal benefit. For people who will actually work in town, Durham is the stronger labor market on paper. Jacksonville can still win if housing is cheap enough to offset the weaker median or if your specific role already pays well there.
Crime index
22% lower crime
Jacksonville's crime index is 22% lower than Durham
Jacksonville
Winner150 (100 = avg)
Durham
193 (100 = avg)
Jacksonville's crime index is 150 versus 193 in Durham (100 = national average), so citywide crime runs 22% lower in Jacksonville. 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, Jacksonville 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
18% more comfortable
Jacksonville weather is 18% more comfortable than Durham
Jacksonville
Winner73°F avg · 80°F highs · comfort 98/100
Durham
59°F avg · 68°F highs · comfort 83/100
Jacksonville averages about 73°F (80°F highs); Durham averages about 59°F (68°F highs). Jacksonville sits near 73°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. Jacksonville scores 18% 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
Outdoor enthusiasts and people who need year-round access to nature for their wellbeing
Jacksonville is the clearer landing pad if housing cost is what keeps you up at night. Typical rent is 3% cheaper here at about $1,465 a month. Choose Jacksonville if you are stretching a salary, starting over, or want slack for travel and debt instead of a flashier skyline.
Pick Jacksonville if you are an outdoor enthusiast or you need year-round access to nature for your wellbeing. Typical conditions (73°F) beat Durham on this page's weather index by 18%. Durham may pay more or cost less, but Jacksonville is the city where the forecast fights you less.
Jacksonville is the better fit for families with young children and retirees who prioritize peace of mind over urban energy. The crime index is 22% lower than Durham (150 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
Career-focused movers who want salary upside and professional growth
Durham is the better city for career-focused movers who want salary upside and professional growth. Median household income is 17% higher here ($81,619). Start with Durham if your next chapter is about building earnings, and make weather or nightlife a secondary screen.
Bottom line
Jacksonville runs 73°F typical weather against 59°F in Durham (comfort scores 98 vs 83). Housing is $1,465/month versus $1,508/month, so this decision is lifestyle-weighted as much as financial.
Jacksonville rent at $1,465/month is still below Durham's $1,508, so cost-sensitive households should weigh the lease before the paycheck.
Median income is $81,619 in Durham versus $69,872 in Jacksonville.
Durham clears the bar on climate in this dataset. Jacksonville deserves a serious look only when you would rather tolerate 73°F than optimize for Durham's comfort score.
Common questions
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Nearby research
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