Dublin vs Durham
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Dublin
Durham
The Verdict
Durham is 3.0% less expensive than Dublin overall. A household earning $75,000 in Dublin would need approximately $72,837 in Durham to maintain the same standard of living.
Category-by-Category Breakdown
Index values · National average = 100 · Lower is more affordable
Salary Equivalence
A $75,000 salary in Dublin has the same purchasing power as $72,837 in Durham.
Conversely, $75,000 in Durham equals $77,228 in Dublin.
Living in Dublin vs Durham
Housing Costs
Dublin's housing index of 128 is higher Durham's 104, translating to median home prices of $470,000 vs $340,000. The $130,000 difference in home prices means roughly $8,448 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $2,125/mo in Dublin compared to $1,400/mo in Durham, a monthly difference of $725.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 95 in Dublin and 100 in Durham. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $451/month in Dublin vs $475/month in Durham. The difference in grocery costs between these cities is relatively minor and unlikely to be a deciding factor in relocation.
Utility Expenses
Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 110 in Dublin and 93 in Durham. Monthly utility bills average approximately $440 in Dublin vs $372 in Durham. Climate differences between the two cities drive much of this gap, with heating and cooling costs varying substantially by region.
Healthcare
Healthcare costs index at 82 in Dublin and 108 in Durham. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 26-point gap reflects real differences in provider costs, insurance market competition, and regional healthcare infrastructure.
Income & Purchasing Power
Median household income is $56,000 in Dublin and $57,738 in Durham. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $53,846 and $57,166 respectively. Durham residents come out ahead in real purchasing power.
Relocation Considerations
Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $1,307/month to housing in Dublin vs $1,347/month in Durham. In Dublin, median rent of $2,125/mo exceeds this threshold, suggesting renters may feel stretched. In Durham, median rent of $1,400/mo pushes past the recommended limit. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Healthcare, where the gap is 26 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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