City comparison
Yes. Phoenix's crime index is 174 versus 193 in Durham, and its violent crime index is 216 versus 163, using 2024-2025 FBI data.
Durham is cheaper. Median rent is $1,508 a month versus $1,582 in Phoenix.
Phoenix and Durham are closer on paper than many city pairs, so the move comes down to how you weight cost, safety, and climate. Typical rent sits near $1,582 in Phoenix and $1,508 in Durham, and median household income lands at $81,332 versus $81,619. Use the category rows below to see which gaps would change your daily life.
Neither city has a clear overall edge here. Durham is the easier city on typical rent, but Phoenix can still be the better daily fit depending on schools, safety, and climate. Both are defensible choices for different reasons.
Visit both if you can. Cities reveal themselves in the ordinary moments, a Tuesday morning commute, a Saturday errand run, not on a weekend visit.
The move
Phoenix and Durham are 1,883 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,582 a month in Phoenix to $1,508 a month in Durham, down $74 a month (5%).
Median household income goes from $81,332 in Phoenix to $81,619 in Durham, up $287 (under 1%).
The crime index goes from 174 in Phoenix to 193 in Durham, up 19 points (11%).
The move
Durham and Phoenix are 1,883 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,508 a month in Durham to $1,582 a month in Phoenix, up $74 a month (5%).
Median household income goes from $81,619 in Durham to $81,332 in Phoenix, down $287 (under 1%).
The crime index goes from 193 in Durham to 174 in Phoenix, down 19 points (10%).
Phoenix, AZ
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 Phoenix and Durham? Check mortgage rates before you decide where to buy.
Rent
5% cheaper
Durham rent is 5% cheaper than Phoenix
Phoenix
$1,582/mo
Durham
Winner$1,508/mo
Typical rent runs $1,508 a month in Durham versus $1,582 in Phoenix, so Durham is 5% cheaper. The monthly spread is about $74, or $888 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 Durham? Check mortgage rates before you decide.
Median income
1% higher
Durham's median income is 1% higher than Phoenix
Phoenix
$81,332
Durham
Winner$81,619
Median household income is $81,619 in Durham versus $81,332 in Phoenix, so typical pay runs 1% higher in Durham (about $287 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
10% lower crime
Phoenix's crime index is 10% lower than Durham
Phoenix
Winner174 (100 = avg)
Durham
193 (100 = avg)
Phoenix's crime index is 174 versus 193 in Durham (100 = national average), so citywide crime runs 10% lower in Phoenix. The difference is noticeable without being night-and-day. You will still want to pick the neighborhood carefully in Phoenix, but you will usually spend less energy on constant vigilance than you would in Durham. Tour both cities after dark before you let a modest index gap close the decision.
Typical weather
17% more comfortable
Phoenix weather is 17% more comfortable than Durham
Phoenix
Winner81°F avg · 87°F highs · comfort 97/100
Durham
59°F avg · 68°F highs · comfort 83/100
Phoenix averages about 81°F (87°F highs); Durham averages about 59°F (68°F highs). Phoenix averages around 81°F. Durham averages around 59°F, so jackets, heating bills, and shorter outdoor seasons are part of daily life. Phoenix scores 17% 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
Pick Phoenix if you are an outdoor enthusiast or you need year-round access to nature for your wellbeing. Typical conditions (81°F) beat Durham on this page's weather index by 17%. Durham may pay more or cost less, but Phoenix is the city where the forecast fights you less.
Phoenix is the better fit for families with young children and retirees who prioritize peace of mind over urban energy. The crime index is 10% lower than Durham (174 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 clearer landing pad if housing cost is what keeps you up at night. Typical rent is 5% 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.
Durham is the better city for career-focused movers who want salary upside and professional growth. Median household income is 1% 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
Weather separates these metros: $1,582/month rent in Phoenix at 81°F versus $1,508 in Durham at 59°F. Income runs $81,332 vs $81,619, but the daily feel of the move is the temperature gap.
With only $74 separating typical rent, run both offer letters before housing cost alone picks the city.
Typical rent stays $1,508 in Durham and $1,582 in Phoenix.
Between Phoenix and Durham, Phoenix is ahead on climate — 81°F typical weather versus 59°F. Lean Durham instead when you would rather tolerate 59°F than optimize for Phoenix's comfort score.
Common questions
Ready to move to Durham?
Next steps
Quotes and listings for Durham when you're ready to act.
Keep researching
Nearby research
Open full neighborhood reports for Phoenix and Durham, plus other cities in AZ and NC.
