Durham, NC vs Wilmington, NC

Durham, NC and Wilmington, NC have a very similar cost of living, with only a 4.1% difference in their overall index. Durham scores 106 while Wilmington scores 102 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 $1,311/month in Wilmington — a 8% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Wilmington is more affordable at $350,300 median vs $355,300.

Median household income in Durham is $79,234 compared to $63,900 in Wilmington (+24%). 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 24.6% in Wilmington.