Durham vs Elgin
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Durham
Elgin
The Verdict
Living in Elgin costs 6.3% less than Durham. To match the purchasing power of a $75,000 salary in Durham, you would need $70,545 in Elgin.
Category-by-Category Breakdown
Index values · National average = 100 · Lower is more affordable
Salary Equivalence
A $75,000 salary in Durham has the same purchasing power as $70,545 in Elgin.
Conversely, $75,000 in Elgin equals $79,737 in Durham.
Living in Durham vs Elgin
Housing Costs
Durham's housing index of 104 is higher Elgin's 89, translating to median home prices of $340,000 vs $279,000. The $61,000 difference in home prices means roughly $3,960 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,400/mo in Durham compared to $1,375/mo in Elgin, a monthly difference of $25.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 100 in Durham and 104 in Elgin. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $475/month in Durham vs $494/month in Elgin. 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 93 in Durham and 89 in Elgin. Monthly utility bills average approximately $372 in Durham vs $356 in Elgin. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.
Healthcare
Healthcare costs index at 108 in Durham and 105 in Elgin. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. Healthcare costs are relatively similar between these two cities, though individual plan costs can still vary.
Income & Purchasing Power
Median household income is $57,738 in Durham and $90,300 in Elgin. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $57,166 and $95,053 respectively. Elgin residents come out ahead in real purchasing power.
Relocation Considerations
Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $1,347/month to housing in Durham vs $2,107/month in Elgin. In Durham, median rent of $1,400/mo exceeds this threshold, suggesting renters may feel stretched. In Elgin, median rent of $1,375/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 15 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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