Durham, CA vs Poplar-Cotton Center, CA

The cost of living difference between Durham, CA and Poplar-Cotton Center, CA is dramatic. Poplar-Cotton Center is 45.8% cheaper than Durham, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Durham has a cost index of 120 while Poplar-Cotton Center sits at 82, making this one of the more striking comparisons on our site. Relocating between these cities would require a serious reassessment of budget and lifestyle expectations.

On the housing front, median rent in Durham is $1,092/month compared to $977/month in Poplar-Cotton Center — a 12% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Poplar-Cotton Center is more affordable at $209,100 median vs $612,100.

Median household income in Durham is $120,778 compared to $51,893 in Poplar-Cotton Center (+132.7%). 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 22.6% in Poplar-Cotton Center.

Climate-wise, both cities share similar average temperatures (63.2°F vs 63.4°F). Durham receives more rainfall at 25.7" per year compared to 8.1" in Poplar-Cotton Center.