Asheville, NC vs Durham, NC

Asheville, NC and Durham, NC have a very similar cost of living, with only a 1.2% difference in their overall index. Asheville scores 107 while Durham scores 106 on the cost of living index, where 100 represents the national average. The day-to-day expenses for residents in both cities are comparable, though differences emerge when looking at specific categories.

On the housing front, median rent in Asheville is $1,303/month compared to $1,412/month in Durham — a 8% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Asheville has cheaper rent, Durham actually has lower median home values ($355,300 vs $411,000).

Median household income in Asheville is $67,221 compared to $79,234 in Durham (-15.2%). Durham offers a double advantage: higher earnings combined with a lower cost of living, giving residents significantly more purchasing power. Looking at affordability, residents of Asheville spend roughly 23.3% of their income on rent, more than the 21.4% in Durham.