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Raleigh vs Durham: Full Comparison

Updated November 2026 · Cost of living, safety, and climate data

Quick Answer

Durham is 2% more expensive than Raleigh. Durham is 11% safer. Raleigh population: 506,306. Durham population: 305,561.

Which city is better for you?

Cost of LivingRaleigh
SafetyDurham
HousingRaleigh

Based on cost of living indices, FBI crime data, and NOAA climate records.

Cost of Living: Raleigh vs Durham

Raleigh is more affordable overall, with a cost of living index of 100 vs 102 (national average = 100). That's a difference of 2 index points.

CategoryRaleighDurham
Overall Index100102
Housing$2,100/moIndex: 118$2,172/moIndex: 122
Groceries$410/moIndex: 100$410/moIndex: 100
Transportation$350/moIndex: 100$350/moIndex: 100
Healthcare$320/moIndex: 100$320/moIndex: 100
Utilities$209/moIndex: 95$207/moIndex: 94

Index 100 = national average. Dollar amounts are estimated monthly costs. Sources: BEA Regional Price Parities, C2ER Cost of Living Index.

Safety: Raleigh vs Durham

Durham is 11% safer overall, with a crime rate of 23.6 per 1,000 residents vs Raleigh's 26.5. Durham earns a C+ safety grade compared to Raleigh's C+. Based on 2023 FBI data.

C+

Raleigh

North Carolina

Overall GradeC+
Violent CrimeC+
Property CrimeC+
Crime Rate26.5/1K
TrendDeclining
C+

Durham

North Carolina

Overall GradeC+
Violent CrimeC+
Property CrimeB-
Crime Rate23.6/1K
TrendDeclining
MetricRaleighDurham
Overall Crime Rate26.5/1K23.6/1K
Violent Crime Rate421.8397.1
Property Crime Rate2232.61965.2
Murder Rate7.16.2
Assault Rate354.9285.0
Robbery Rate62.088.8
Burglary Rate371.5368.7
Theft Rate1437.71535.3
Vehicle Theft Rate362.9303.0

Crime rates per 100,000 residents. 2023 FBI Uniform Crime Report data. Lower rates are better (safer).

Victim Odds

In Raleigh, you have a 1 in 38 chance of being a crime victim per year vs 1 in 42 in Durham.

Climate Comparison

Climate data is only available for Raleigh. A full comparison requires both cities.

Raleigh Climate Overview

Annual High71.3°F
Annual Low50.5°F
Annual Rain43.1"
Annual Snow4.5"
Comfortable Months6
Best MonthMay
Worst MonthJanuary
Monthly Temperature
J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
ColdComfortableWarm

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Raleigh cheaper than Durham?
Raleigh and Durham have very similar costs of living (index 100 vs 102, where 100 is the national average). Day-to-day expenses are comparable in both cities.
Is Raleigh safer than Durham?
Durham is 11% safer overall, with a crime rate of 23.6 per 1,000 residents vs Raleigh's 26.5. Durham earns a C+ safety grade. Based on 2023 FBI data.
Should I move to Raleigh or Durham?
It depends on your priorities. Durham is safer (C+ grade). Raleigh is more affordable (index 100 vs 102). Raleigh has a population of 506,306 and Durham has 305,561. Consider job market, culture, and proximity to family alongside these data points.
How big is Raleigh compared to Durham?
Raleigh has a population of 506,306 and Durham has 305,561. Raleigh is 66% larger by population.
Is housing cheaper in Raleigh or Durham?
Housing is cheaper in Raleigh. Estimated monthly housing costs: Raleigh $2,100/mo vs Durham $2,172/mo. That's based on a housing index of 118 vs 122 (100 = national average of $1,780/mo).

Learn More About Each City

C+
Raleigh Safety ReportFull crime breakdown and trends
C+
Durham Safety ReportFull crime breakdown and trends
Salary CalculatorClimate Compare ToolSafety Comparison Tool

Safety data: 2023 FBI Uniform Crime Report. Cost of living: BEA Regional Price Parities and C2ER Cost of Living Index. Climate: NOAA 30-year normals. Not a substitute for local guidance.

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