City comparison
Yes. Newark's crime index is 136 versus 193 in Durham, and its violent crime index is 159 versus 163, using 2024-2025 FBI data.
Newark is cheaper. Median rent is $1,392 a month versus $1,508 in Durham.
The income gap between Newark and Durham is significant: $52,060 median household versus $81,619. That spread matters more if you are job hunting locally than if you are remote. Typical rent is $1,392 in Newark and $1,508 in Durham.
Neither city has a clear overall edge here. Newark costs less and Durham pays more: the right call depends on whether you are optimizing for take-home pay or monthly burn rate. Both are defensible choices for different reasons.
The crime gap is citywide. Newark has rougher pockets and Durham has quiet ones: the index tells you the average, not your block.
The move
Newark and Durham are 416 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,392 a month in Newark to $1,508 a month in Durham, up $116 a month (8%).
Median household income goes from $52,060 in Newark to $81,619 in Durham, up $29,559 (57%).
The crime index goes from 136 in Newark to 193 in Durham, up 57 points (42%).
The move
Durham and Newark are 416 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,508 a month in Durham to $1,392 a month in Newark, down $116 a month (8%).
Median household income goes from $81,619 in Durham to $52,060 in Newark, down $29,559 (36%).
The crime index goes from 193 in Durham to 136 in Newark, down 57 points (30%).
Newark, NJ
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 Newark and Durham? Check mortgage rates before you decide where to buy.
Rent
8% cheaper
Newark rent is 8% cheaper than Durham
Newark
Winner$1,392/mo
Durham
$1,508/mo
Typical rent runs $1,392 a month in Newark versus $1,508 in Durham, so Newark is 8% cheaper. The monthly spread is about $116, or $1,392 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 Newark? Check mortgage rates before you decide.
Median income
57% higher
Durham's median income is 57% higher than Newark
Newark
$52,060
Durham
Winner$81,619
Median household income is $81,619 in Durham versus $52,060 in Newark, so typical pay runs 57% higher in Durham (about $29,559 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. Newark can still win if housing is cheap enough to offset the weaker median or if your specific role already pays well there.
Crime index
30% lower crime
Newark's crime index is 30% lower than Durham
Newark
Winner136 (100 = avg)
Durham
193 (100 = avg)
Newark's crime index is 136 versus 193 in Durham (100 = national average), so citywide crime runs 30% lower in Newark. 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, Newark 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
Durham weather is 20% more comfortable than Newark
Newark
54°F avg · 60°F highs · comfort 69/100
Durham
Winner59°F avg · 68°F highs · comfort 83/100
Newark averages about 54°F (60°F highs); Durham averages about 59°F (68°F highs). Newark averages around 54°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 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 Newark if you already prefer its hotter or cooler pattern and have budgeted for the AC or heating that comes with it.
Fit check
Families with young children and retirees who prioritize peace of mind over urban energy
Newark is the clearer landing pad if housing cost is what keeps you up at night. Typical rent is 8% cheaper here at about $1,392 a month. Choose Newark if you are stretching a salary, starting over, or want slack for travel and debt instead of a flashier skyline.
Newark is the better fit for families with young children and retirees who prioritize peace of mind over urban energy. The crime index is 30% lower than Durham (136 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 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 57% 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.
Bottom line
Newark is cheaper on rent ($1,392/month vs $1,508), but Durham's $81,619 median income beats Newark's $52,060 by 36%. Remote workers paid on Durham scales can make that trade; local-market earners often cannot.
Safety still diverges (51/100 in Newark vs 40/100 in Durham), so climate preference should not be the only filter.
Weather averages land near 54°F in Newark and 59°F in Durham.
Between Newark and Durham, Durham is ahead on local pay — $81,619 median income against $52,060. Lean Newark instead when keeping rent near $1,392/month beats chasing $81,619 median income.
Common questions
Ready to move to Newark?
Next steps
Quotes and listings for Newark when you're ready to act.
Keep researching
Nearby research
Open full neighborhood reports for Newark and Durham, plus other cities in NJ and NC.
