Side-by-side cost of living comparison for 2026
Charlotte and Durham have very similar costs of living, with less than a 3% difference overall.
Index values shown. National average = 100. Lower is cheaper.
To maintain the same standard of living:
See exact take-home pay: North Carolina salaries · North Carolina salaries
Housing is typically the biggest factor in any cost-of-living comparison. Charlotte has a housing index of 99 while Durham sits at 104 (national average = 100). The median home in Charlotte costs $330,000 compared to $340,000 in Durham, a difference of $10,000. Monthly rent follows a similar pattern: $1,500 in Charlotte versus $1,400 in Durham.
Groceries and everyday expenses show a narrower gap: Charlotte scores 101 while Durham scores 100. Both cities are close to the national average for grocery costs.
Healthcare costs in Charlotte (105) are lower than Durham (108).
Median household income in Charlotte is $62,308 compared to $57,738 in Durham. When adjusted for cost of living, purchasing power is similar in both cities.
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