Durham, CA vs Laguna Woods, CA

Durham is moderately more affordable than Laguna Woods, with a 12.9% lower cost of living index. Durham scores 120 compared to 138 for Laguna Woods, where the US average is 100. This difference means residents of Laguna Woods can expect to pay noticeably more for everyday expenses, housing, and services.

On the housing front, median rent in Durham is $1,092/month compared to $2,232/month in Laguna Woods — a 51% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Durham has cheaper rent, Laguna Woods actually has lower median home values ($364,900 vs $612,100).

Median household income in Durham is $120,778 compared to $60,235 in Laguna Woods (+100.5%). 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 Durham spend roughly 10.8% of their income on rent, less than the 44.5% in Laguna Woods. The Durham ratio exceeds the commonly recommended 30% threshold, which can put pressure on household budgets.

Climate-wise, both cities share similar average temperatures (63.2°F vs 64.9°F). Durham receives more rainfall at 25.7" per year compared to 11.2" in Laguna Woods.