Durham, NH vs East Merrimack, NH

Durham, NH and East Merrimack, NH have a very similar cost of living, with only a 2.9% difference in their overall index. Durham scores 116 while East Merrimack scores 113 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 $1,338/month compared to $1,780/month in East Merrimack — a 25% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Durham has cheaper rent, East Merrimack actually has lower median home values ($267,900 vs $451,000).

Median household income in Durham is $109,934 compared to $82,829 in East Merrimack (+32.7%). 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 14.6% of their income on rent, less than the 25.8% in East Merrimack.

Climate-wise, East Merrimack is notably warmer with an average of 50.1°F compared to 47.1°F in Durham. Durham receives more rainfall at 47.8" per year compared to 40.4" in East Merrimack.