Durham vs Lafayette

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 $66,832 in Lafayette.

Conversely, $75,000 in Lafayette equals $84,167 in Durham.

Living in Durham vs Lafayette

Housing Costs

Durham's housing index of 104 is higher Lafayette's 73, translating to median home prices of $340,000 vs $214,000. The $126,000 difference in home prices means roughly $8,196 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,400/mo in Durham compared to $1,100/mo in Lafayette, a monthly difference of $300.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 100 in Durham and 96 in Lafayette. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $475/month in Durham vs $456/month in Lafayette. 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 97 in Lafayette. Monthly utility bills average approximately $372 in Durham vs $388 in Lafayette. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.

Healthcare

Healthcare costs index at 108 in Durham and 80 in Lafayette. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 28-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 $61,900 in Lafayette. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $57,166 and $68,778 respectively. Lafayette 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 $1,444/month in Lafayette. In Durham, median rent of $1,400/mo exceeds this threshold, suggesting renters may feel stretched. In Lafayette, median rent of $1,100/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 31 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Moving & Relocation Resources

As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases