Durham, NH vs Exeter, NH

Durham, NH and Exeter, NH have a very similar cost of living, with only a 1.2% difference in their overall index. Durham scores 116 while Exeter scores 115 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 $1,569/month in Exeter — a 15% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Durham has cheaper rent, Exeter actually has lower median home values ($349,300 vs $451,000).

Median household income in Durham is $109,934 compared to $83,862 in Exeter (+31.1%). 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 22.5% in Exeter.

Climate-wise, both cities share similar average temperatures (47.1°F vs 46.9°F). Durham receives more rainfall at 47.8" per year compared to 47" in Exeter.