City comparison
No. Durham's crime index is 193 versus 223 in Washington, and its violent crime index is 163 versus 243, using 2024-2025 FBI data.
Durham is cheaper. Median rent is $1,508 a month versus $1,954 in Washington.
The income gap between Washington and Durham is significant: $109,870 median household versus $81,619. That spread matters more if you are job hunting locally than if you are remote. Typical rent is $1,954 in Washington and $1,508 in Durham.
Durham is not a close call here. It leads on cost of living, safety, and weather by margins that add up in daily life. Washington 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. 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
Washington and Durham are 225 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,954 a month in Washington to $1,508 a month in Durham, down $446 a month (23%).
Median household income goes from $109,870 in Washington to $81,619 in Durham, down $28,251 (26%).
The crime index goes from 223 in Washington to 193 in Durham, down 30 points (13%).
The move
Durham and Washington are 225 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,508 a month in Durham to $1,954 a month in Washington, up $446 a month (30%).
Median household income goes from $81,619 in Durham to $109,870 in Washington, up $28,251 (35%).
The crime index goes from 193 in Durham to 223 in Washington, up 30 points (16%).
Washington, DC
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 Washington and Durham? Check mortgage rates before you decide where to buy.
Rent
23% cheaper
Durham rent is 23% cheaper than Washington
Washington
$1,954/mo
Durham
Winner$1,508/mo
Typical rent runs $1,508 a month in Durham versus $1,954 in Washington, so Durham is 23% cheaper. That's roughly $446/month back in your pocket ($5,352/year). Over five years that's $26,760 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 Washington, the extra rent can be rational. If you do not, Durham 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
35% higher
Washington's median income is 35% higher than Durham
Washington
Winner$109,870
Durham
$81,619
Median household income is $109,870 in Washington versus $81,619 in Durham, so typical pay runs 35% higher in Washington (about $28,251 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, Washington is the stronger labor market on paper. Durham can still win if housing is cheap enough to offset the weaker median or if your specific role already pays well there.
Crime index
13% lower crime
Durham's crime index is 13% lower than Washington
Washington
223 (100 = avg)
Durham
Winner193 (100 = avg)
Durham's crime index is 193 versus 223 in Washington (100 = national average), so citywide crime runs 13% 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 Washington. 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 Washington
Washington
56°F avg · 63°F highs · comfort 75/100
Durham
Winner59°F avg · 68°F highs · comfort 83/100
Washington averages about 56°F (63°F highs); Durham averages about 59°F (68°F highs). Washington 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 Washington 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 and professional growth
Washington is the better city for career-focused movers who want salary upside and professional growth. Median household income is 35% higher here ($109,870). Start with Washington if your next chapter is about building earnings, and make weather or nightlife a secondary screen.
Fit check
Outdoor enthusiasts and people who need year-round access to nature for their wellbeing
Durham is the clearer landing pad if housing cost is what keeps you up at night. Typical rent is 23% 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.
Pick Durham if you are an outdoor enthusiast or you need year-round access to nature for your wellbeing. Typical conditions (59°F) beat Washington on this page's weather index by 11%. Washington may pay more or cost less, but Durham is the city where the forecast fights you less.
Durham is the better fit for families with young children and retirees who prioritize peace of mind over urban energy. The crime index is 13% lower than Washington (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
Housing separates these metros first: $1,508/month in Durham versus $1,954 in Washington. Median income reads $81,619 in Durham and $109,870 in Washington, which matters when you stack rent against take-home pay.
Durham rent at $1,508/month is still below Washington's $1,954, so cost-sensitive households should weigh the lease before the paycheck.
Safety scores read 36/100 in Washington and 40/100 in Durham.
If housing cost drives your move, Durham is the stronger match ($1,508/month rent against $1,954). If an employer or family tie already points to Washington, treat $1,954/month rent and $109,870 income as the numbers that actually govern the decision.
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 Washington and Durham, plus other cities in DC and NC.
