Durham vs Chicago

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 · Illinois salaries

Living in Durham vs Chicago

Housing is typically the biggest factor in any cost-of-living comparison. Durham has a housing index of 104 while Chicago sits at 112 (national average = 100). The median home in Durham costs $340,000 compared to $310,000 in Chicago, a difference of $30,000. Monthly rent follows a similar pattern: $1,400 in Durham versus $1,700 in Chicago.

Groceries and everyday expenses show a narrower gap: Durham scores 100 while Chicago scores 104. Both cities are close to the national average for grocery costs.

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

Median household income in Durham is $57,738 compared to $62,097 in Chicago. When adjusted for cost of living, income goes further in Durham.

Relocating: Durham vs Chicago

If you are considering a move between Durham (index: 101) and Chicago (index: 107), the 6% 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 Chicago can afford $1,449/month. With median homes at $340,000 in Durham versus $310,000 in Chicago, both cities offer reasonable homeownership opportunities at median income.

Renting vs buying: At $1,400/month in Durham and $1,700/month in Chicago, 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 Chicago (107)

The cost of living index uses 100 as the national average. Durham at 101 is 1% above the US average, while Chicago at 107 is 7% above average. Both cities are close to the national average in overall costs.

A 6-point index spread separates Chicago from Durham, a moderate gap that adds up across monthly bills but is manageable with a typical dual-income household budget. The biggest category divergence is transportation, where Durham scores 100 and Chicago scores 116. That 16-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 Chicago at 112 on the housing sub-index and median home prices of $340,000 and $310,000 respectively. Neither city is cheaper across the board: Durham has an edge in housing and groceries, while Chicago 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 $1,700/month in Chicago, the annual rent difference is approximately $3,600. Over a 5-year period, that compounds to $18,000 in savings by choosing the more affordable city.

For homebuyers: The $30,000 difference in median home prices between Durham and Chicago translates to roughly $1,800 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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