Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Durham, NC
VS
Rochester, NY
🏆 Durham leads 14 of 23 categories
Durham
North Carolina
14
wins
Cost of Living Index
96.6 ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$74,710 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
163⚠ High
Population
284,094 ✓ Larger
Rochester
New York
9
wins
Cost of Living Index
97.7
Median Household Income
$44,156
Violent Crime Index
153⚠ High ✓ Safer
Population
210,992
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Durham, NC
Pros
Households earn $30,554 more per year on average
Stronger job market — unemployment is 4.2 pts lower (4.3%)
More college-educated — 53.8% hold a bachelor's or higher
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
Rochester, NY
Pros
Homes cost $205k less ($111,400 vs $316,600)
Rent averages $301/mo less ($995 vs $1,296)
6% less violent crime than Durham
Commutes run 3 min shorter each way
Smaller class sizes — 10.3:1 student-teacher ratio
Cons
Median income trails Durham by $30,554/yr
Violent crime (582.3/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Property crime (3289.3/100k) runs high vs the U.S. average
Higher unemployment (8.5% vs 4.3%)
Key Differences at a Glance
Durham
Cost of Living
1% cheaper
COL index 96.6 vs 97.7 (100 = US avg)
Durham
Median Income
$30,554
$74,710 vs $44,156/yr
Durham
Unemployment
4.2 pp lower
4.3% vs 8.5% unemployment
Durham
Summer Heat
4.5°F warmer
July avg high 87.0°F vs 82.5°F
Rochester
Violent Crime
6% lower
582.3 vs 619.2 per 100k
Rochester
Median Home Value
$205k less
$111,400 vs $316,600
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Durham, NC | Rochester, NY |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 96.6 ✓ Cheaper | 97.7 |
| Median Home Value | $316,600⚠ High | $111,400 ✓ Lower |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,296 | $995 ✓ Lower |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $74,710 ✓ Higher | $44,156 |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.3%⚠ High ✓ Lower | 8.5%⚠ High |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 22.3 min | 19.3 min ✓ Shorter |
| Work From Home % | 17.9% ✓ Higher | 9.7% |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 170⚠ High | 155⚠ High ✓ Safer |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 163⚠ High | 153⚠ High ✓ Safer |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 181⚠ High | 157⚠ High ✓ Safer |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | A- (115) ✓ Better | B (100) |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 15.0:1 | 10.3:1 ✓ Smaller |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 53.8% ✓ Higher | 29.4% |
| High School or Higher | 91.3% ✓ Higher | 83.4% |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | Durham Public Schools | ROCHESTER CITY SCHOOL DISTRICT |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 48.9°F ✓ Warmer | 33.4°F |
| Avg High — July | 87.0°F ✓ Warmer | 82.5°F |
| Annual Precipitation | 50.0" | 35.1" ✓ Drier |
| Annual Snowfall | 5.2" ✓ Less | 102.0" |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 284,094 ✓ Larger | 210,992 |
| Median Age | 34.7 ✓ Older | 32.9 |
| Homeownership Rate | 52.0% ✓ Higher | 37.3% |
| Under 18 | 20.1% | 21.8% ✓ More |
| Over 65 | 12.7% ✓ More | 12.5% |
Frequently Asked Questions
Durham's cost of living index is 96.6 vs Rochester's 97.7 (US average = 100).
Durham is 1% less expensive overall.
Based on the 23 decided categories above, Durham leads 14 of 23 categories. Durham wins 14 and Rochester wins 9. 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 Durham to Rochester or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($316,600 vs $111,400 median home), income ($74,710 vs $44,156), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Durham, NC and Rochester, NY are about 502 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.