City comparison
No. Durham's crime index is 193 versus 209 in Louisville, and its violent crime index is 163 versus 207, using 2024-2025 FBI data.
Louisville is cheaper. Median rent is $1,120 a month versus $1,508 in Durham.
The cost gap between Louisville and Durham is the real story here. Louisville comes in 26% cheaper on typical rent ($1,120 vs $1,508), which over a year adds up to $4,656. Median household income runs $66,849 in Louisville and $81,619 in Durham.
Durham is not a close call here. It leads on the job market, safety, and weather by margins that add up in daily life. Louisville makes sense if you have a specific reason, a job offer, family, or a neighborhood you already know, but on the numbers alone Durham is the stronger move.
The rent gap is real but neighborhoods matter. Louisville at $1,120 average has pockets that run $920 and others at $1,520: your actual number depends on which part of the city you land in.
The move
Louisville and Durham are 409 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,120 a month in Louisville to $1,508 a month in Durham, up $388 a month (35%).
Median household income goes from $66,849 in Louisville to $81,619 in Durham, up $14,770 (22%).
The crime index goes from 209 in Louisville to 193 in Durham, down 16 points (8%).
The move
Durham and Louisville are 409 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,508 a month in Durham to $1,120 a month in Louisville, down $388 a month (26%).
Median household income goes from $81,619 in Durham to $66,849 in Louisville, down $14,770 (18%).
The crime index goes from 193 in Durham to 209 in Louisville, up 16 points (8%).
Louisville, KY
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 Louisville and Durham? Check mortgage rates before you decide where to buy.
Rent
26% cheaper
Louisville rent is 26% cheaper than Durham
Louisville
Winner$1,120/mo
Durham
$1,508/mo
Typical rent runs $1,120 a month in Louisville versus $1,508 in Durham, so Louisville is 26% cheaper. That's roughly $388/month back in your pocket ($4,656/year). Over five years that's $23,280 you could redirect toward a down payment, travel, or investments. Housing is the bill you pay before groceries, childcare, or a social life, so that gap shows up in how often you eat out and how panicked a rent hike feels. If you already have a high-paying offer in Durham, the extra rent can be rational. If you do not, Louisville is the easier city to land in without blowing up your budget.
Planning to buy in Durham? Check mortgage rates before you decide.
Median income
22% higher
Durham's median income is 22% higher than Louisville
Louisville
$66,849
Durham
Winner$81,619
Median household income is $81,619 in Durham versus $66,849 in Louisville, so typical pay runs 22% higher in Durham (about $14,770 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. Louisville can still win if housing is cheap enough to offset the weaker median or if your specific role already pays well there.
Crime index
8% lower crime
Durham's crime index is 8% lower than Louisville
Louisville
209 (100 = avg)
Durham
Winner193 (100 = avg)
Durham's crime index is 193 versus 209 in Louisville (100 = national average), so citywide crime runs 8% lower in Durham. The difference is noticeable without being night-and-day. You will still want to pick the neighborhood carefully in Durham, but you will usually spend less energy on constant vigilance than you would in Louisville. Tour both cities after dark before you let a modest index gap close the decision.
Typical weather
11% more comfortable
Durham weather is 11% more comfortable than Louisville
Louisville
56°F avg · 65°F highs · comfort 75/100
Durham
Winner59°F avg · 68°F highs · comfort 83/100
Louisville averages about 56°F (65°F highs); Durham averages about 59°F (68°F highs). Louisville averages around 56°F, so jackets, heating bills, and shorter outdoor seasons are part of daily life. Durham averages around 59°F, so jackets, heating bills, and shorter outdoor seasons are part of daily life. Durham scores 11% 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 Louisville if you already prefer its hotter or cooler pattern and have budgeted for the AC or heating that comes with it.
Fit check
People with a job, family, or neighborhood already pulling them to Louisville
Louisville is the clearer landing pad if housing cost is what keeps you up at night. Typical rent is 26% cheaper here at about $1,120 a month. Choose Louisville if you are stretching a salary, starting over, or want slack for travel and debt instead of a flashier skyline.
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 22% higher ($81,619), and typical weather is the more comfortable of the two (around 59°F). That pairing is for people who will work hard and then actually use the evenings.
Durham is the better fit for families with young children and retirees who prioritize peace of mind over urban energy. The crime index is 8% lower than Louisville (193 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.
Bottom line
Durham runs $1,508/month while Louisville sits at $1,120 — roughly 26% lower on typical leases. Unless your offer letter is Durham-sized, that monthly gap compounds fast.
Louisville rent at $1,120/month is still below Durham's $1,508, so cost-sensitive households should weigh the lease before the paycheck.
Safety scores read 38/100 in Louisville and 40/100 in Durham.
Between Louisville and Durham, Louisville is ahead on housing cost — $1,120/month rent against $1,508. Lean Durham instead when your $81,619 income offer in Durham outweighs saving $388/month in Louisville.
Common questions
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Next steps
Quotes and listings for Durham when you're ready to act.
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Nearby research
Open full neighborhood reports for Louisville and Durham, plus other cities in KY and NC.
