Durham vs Glendale
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Durham
Glendale
The Verdict
Living in Durham costs 10.6% less than Glendale. To match the purchasing power of a $75,000 salary in Durham, you would need $83,911 in Glendale.
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 $83,911 in Glendale.
Conversely, $75,000 in Glendale equals $67,035 in Durham.
Living in Durham vs Glendale
Housing Costs
Durham's housing index of 104 is lower Glendale's 119, translating to median home prices of $340,000 vs $405,000. The $65,000 difference in home prices means roughly $4,224 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,400/mo in Durham compared to $1,400/mo in Glendale, a monthly difference of $0.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 100 in Durham and 103 in Glendale. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $475/month in Durham vs $489/month in Glendale. 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 98 in Glendale. Monthly utility bills average approximately $372 in Durham vs $392 in Glendale. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.
Healthcare
Healthcare costs index at 108 in Durham and 94 in Glendale. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 14-point gap reflects real differences in provider costs, insurance market competition, and regional healthcare infrastructure.
Income & Purchasing Power
Median household income is $57,738 in Durham and $70,100 in Glendale. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $57,166 and $62,035 respectively. Glendale 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 $1,636/month in Glendale. In Durham, median rent of $1,400/mo exceeds this threshold, suggesting renters may feel stretched. In Glendale, median rent of $1,400/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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