Durham, CA vs McKinleyville, CA

Durham, CA and McKinleyville, CA have a very similar cost of living, with only a 3.5% difference in their overall index. Durham scores 120 while McKinleyville scores 116 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 Durham is $1,092/month compared to $1,441/month in McKinleyville — a 24% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Durham has cheaper rent, McKinleyville actually has lower median home values ($414,200 vs $612,100).

Median household income in Durham is $120,778 compared to $66,096 in McKinleyville (+82.7%). While Durham is more expensive, its higher salaries more than compensate — residents there may actually end up with more disposable income. Looking at affordability, residents of Durham spend roughly 10.8% of their income on rent, less than the 26.2% in McKinleyville.

Climate-wise, Durham is notably warmer with an average of 63.2°F compared to 52.5°F in McKinleyville. McKinleyville receives more rainfall at 46.1" per year compared to 25.7" in Durham.