Durham, NC vs Greenville, NC

The cost of living difference between Durham, NC and Greenville, NC is dramatic. Greenville is 33.5% cheaper than Durham, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Durham has a cost index of 106 while Greenville sits at 79, 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 $1,412/month compared to $983/month in Greenville — a 44% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Greenville is more affordable at $213,100 median vs $355,300.

Median household income in Durham is $79,234 compared to $50,564 in Greenville (+56.7%). 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 21.4% of their income on rent, less than the 23.3% in Greenville.