Durham, NC vs Raleigh, NC

Durham, NC and Raleigh, NC have a very similar cost of living, with only a 3.5% difference in their overall index. Durham scores 106 while Raleigh scores 110 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 $1,412/month compared to $1,468/month in Raleigh — a 4% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Durham is more affordable at $355,300 median vs $377,800.

Median household income in Durham is $79,234 compared to $82,424 in Raleigh (-3.9%). While Raleigh 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 21.4% in Raleigh.