Durham, NC vs Fayetteville, NC

There is a significant gap in the cost of living between these two cities. Fayetteville is 29.3% cheaper than Durham. With a cost index of 82 vs 106, the difference would have a meaningful impact on a household's monthly budget. Someone relocating from Fayetteville to Durham should plan for substantially higher expenses across most categories.

On the housing front, median rent in Durham is $1,412/month compared to $1,179/month in Fayetteville — a 20% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Fayetteville is more affordable at $171,900 median vs $355,300.

Median household income in Durham is $79,234 compared to $56,395 in Fayetteville (+40.5%). 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 21.4% of their income on rent, less than the 25.1% in Fayetteville.