Durham vs Baltimore

Category-by-Category Breakdown

Index values shown. National average = 100. Lower is cheaper.

💰 Salary Equivalence

To maintain the same standard of living:

See exact take-home pay: North Carolina salaries · Maryland salaries

Living in Durham vs Baltimore

Housing is typically the biggest factor in any cost-of-living comparison. Durham has a housing index of 104 while Baltimore sits at 107 (national average = 100). The median home in Durham costs $340,000 compared to $200,000 in Baltimore, a difference of $140,000. Monthly rent follows a similar pattern: $1,400 in Durham versus $1,300 in Baltimore.

Groceries and everyday expenses show a narrower gap: Durham scores 100 while Baltimore scores 103. Both cities are close to the national average for grocery costs.

Healthcare costs in Durham (108) are higher than Baltimore (101).

Median household income in Durham is $57,738 compared to $52,164 in Baltimore. When adjusted for cost of living, income goes further in Durham.

Relocating: Durham vs Baltimore

If you are considering a move between Durham (index: 101) and Baltimore (index: 106), the 5% cost difference has real implications for your budget. Durham is the more affordable option, but the right choice depends on your income, career opportunities, and lifestyle priorities.

Housing budget reality: Using the 28% rule (spending no more than 28% of gross income on housing), the median household in Durham can afford $1,347/month, while the median household in Baltimore can afford $1,217/month. With median homes at $340,000 in Durham versus $200,000 in Baltimore, both cities offer reasonable homeownership opportunities at median income.

Renting vs buying: At $1,400/month in Durham and $1,300/month in Baltimore, renters face similar costs in both cities. The rent-to-own ratio in each city determines whether renting or buying offers better value for your situation.

Income adjustment: A $75,000 salary goes significantly further in Durham. Before accepting a job in either city, use the salary equivalence data above to understand what you would need to earn to maintain your current standard of living.

Reading These Numbers: Durham (101) vs Baltimore (106)

The cost of living index uses 100 as the national average. Durham at 101 is 1% above the US average, while Baltimore at 106 is 6% above average. Both cities are close to the national average in overall costs.

Durham and Baltimore land within 5 points of each other on the composite index (101 vs 106), so the overall cost picture is similar. The biggest category divergence is utilities, where Durham scores 93 and Baltimore scores 110. That 17-point gap is the primary driver of the overall cost difference between these two metros. Housing costs are comparable between the two metros, with Durham at 104 and Baltimore at 107 on the housing sub-index and median home prices of $340,000 and $200,000 respectively. Neither city is cheaper across the board: Durham has an edge in housing and groceries, while Baltimore is more affordable for healthcare. Your actual savings depend on which categories consume the biggest share of your personal budget.

For renters: With median rents of $1,400/month in Durham and $1,300/month in Baltimore, the annual rent difference is approximately $1,200. Over a 5-year period, that compounds to $6,000 in savings by choosing the more affordable city.

For homebuyers: The $140,000 difference in median home prices between Durham and Baltimore translates to roughly $8,400 per month in mortgage payments at current rates. Factor this into your budget alongside property taxes and insurance, which also vary by location.

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