Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Detroit, MI
VS
Durham, NC
🏆 Durham leads 16 of 23 categories
Detroit
Michigan
7
wins
Cost of Living Index
98.0
Median Household Income
$37,761
Violent Crime Index
469⚠ High
Population
636,787 ✓ Larger
Durham
North Carolina
16
wins
Cost of Living Index
96.6 ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$74,710 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
163⚠ High ✓ Safer
Population
284,094
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Detroit, MI
Pros
Homes cost $250k less ($66,700 vs $316,600)
Rent averages $307/mo less ($989 vs $1,296)
Cons
Median income trails Durham by $36,949/yr
Violent crime (1781.3/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Property crime (4305.3/100k) runs high vs the U.S. average
Higher unemployment (14.7% vs 4.3%)
Durham, NC
Pros
Stronger job market — unemployment is 10.4 pts lower (4.3%)
Households earn $36,949 more per year on average
65% less violent crime than Detroit
More college-educated — 53.8% hold a bachelor's or higher
Commutes run 3 min shorter each way
Milder winters — January highs near 49°F vs 33°F
Cons
Pricier housing — median home is $316,600
Violent crime (619.2/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Property crime (3799.7/100k) runs high vs the U.S. average
Key Differences at a Glance
Detroit
Median Home Value
$250k less
$66,700 vs $316,600
Durham
Cost of Living
1% cheaper
COL index 96.6 vs 98.0 (100 = US avg)
Durham
Median Income
$36,949
$74,710 vs $37,761/yr
Durham
Violent Crime
65% lower
619.2 vs 1781.3 per 100k
Durham
Unemployment
10.4 pp lower
4.3% vs 14.7% unemployment
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Durham, NC |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 98.0 | 96.6 ✓ Cheaper |
| Median Home Value | $66,700 ✓ Lower | $316,600⚠ High |
| Median Monthly Rent | $989 ✓ Lower | $1,296 |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $37,761 | $74,710 ✓ Higher |
| Unemployment Rate | 14.7%⚠ High | 4.3%⚠ High ✓ Lower |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 25.7 min | 22.3 min ✓ Shorter |
| Work From Home % | 8.7% | 17.9% ✓ Higher |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 363⚠ High | 170⚠ High ✓ Safer |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 469⚠ High | 163⚠ High ✓ Safer |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 205⚠ High | 181⚠ High ✓ Safer |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | C (79) | A- (115) ✓ Better |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 16.1:1 | 15.0:1 ✓ Smaller |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 16.9% | 53.8% ✓ Higher |
| High School or Higher | 82.8% | 91.3% ✓ Higher |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | Detroit Public Schools Community District | Durham Public Schools |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 33.0°F | 48.9°F ✓ Warmer |
| Avg High — July | 84.1°F | 87.0°F ✓ Warmer |
| Annual Precipitation | 34.9" ✓ Drier | 50.0" |
| Annual Snowfall | 30.8" | 5.2" ✓ Less |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 636,787 ✓ Larger | 284,094 |
| Median Age | 35.0 ✓ Older | 34.7 |
| Homeownership Rate | 48.8% | 52.0% ✓ Higher |
| Under 18 | 24.6% ✓ More | 20.1% |
| Over 65 | 14.4% ✓ More | 12.7% |
Frequently Asked Questions
Detroit's cost of living index is 98.0 vs Durham's 96.6 (US average = 100).
Durham is 1% less expensive overall.
Based on the 23 decided categories above, Durham leads 16 of 23 categories. Detroit wins 7 and Durham wins 16. The right choice depends on your priorities — use the Pros & Cons and full table above to weigh what matters to you.
Whether you're moving from Detroit to Durham or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($66,700 vs $316,600 median home), income ($37,761 vs $74,710), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Detroit, MI and Durham, NC are about 496 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.