Durham vs Denver

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 · Colorado salaries

Living in Durham vs Denver

Housing is typically the biggest factor in any cost-of-living comparison. Durham has a housing index of 104 while Denver sits at 152 (national average = 100). The median home in Durham costs $340,000 compared to $520,000 in Denver, a difference of $180,000. Monthly rent follows a similar pattern: $1,400 in Durham versus $1,900 in Denver.

Groceries and everyday expenses show a narrower gap: Durham scores 100 while Denver scores 102. Both cities are close to the national average for grocery costs.

Healthcare costs in Durham (108) are higher than Denver (104).

Median household income in Durham is $57,738 compared to $72,661 in Denver. When adjusted for cost of living, income goes further in Durham.

Relocating: Durham vs Denver

If you are considering a move between Durham (index: 101) and Denver (index: 118), the 14% 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 Denver can afford $1,695/month. With median homes at $340,000 in Durham versus $520,000 in Denver, the higher-cost city presents significant affordability challenges.

Renting vs buying: At $1,400/month in Durham and $1,900/month in Denver, renters save significantly in Durham. 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 Denver (118)

The cost of living index uses 100 as the national average. Durham at 101 is 1% above the US average, while Denver at 118 is 18% above average. There is a meaningful cost gap between these two cities that affects day-to-day budgeting.

Denver costs meaningfully more than Durham, with a 17-point composite gap that translates to real differences in rent, groceries, and daily expenses. The biggest category divergence is housing, where Durham scores 104 and Denver scores 152. That 48-point gap is the primary driver of the overall cost difference between these two metros. Housing, the largest line item for most households, favors Durham with indices of 104 versus 152. Median home prices of $340,000 in Durham and $520,000 in Denver underscore this gap. Neither city is cheaper across the board: Durham has an edge in housing and groceries, while Denver 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 $1,900/month in Denver, the annual rent difference is approximately $6,000. Over a 5-year period, that compounds to $30,000 in savings by choosing the more affordable city.

For homebuyers: The $180,000 difference in median home prices between Durham and Denver translates to roughly $10,800 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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