Side-by-side cost of living comparison for 2026
Durham and Mesa have very similar costs of living, with less than a 3% difference overall.
Index values shown. National average = 100. Lower is cheaper.
To maintain the same standard of living:
See exact take-home pay: North Carolina salaries · Arizona salaries
Housing is typically the biggest factor in any cost-of-living comparison. Durham has a housing index of 104 while Mesa sits at 98 (national average = 100). The median home in Durham costs $340,000 compared to $350,000 in Mesa, a difference of $10,000. Monthly rent follows a similar pattern: $1,400 in Durham versus $1,350 in Mesa.
Groceries and everyday expenses show a narrower gap: Durham scores 100 while Mesa scores 99. Both cities are close to the national average for grocery costs.
Healthcare costs in Durham (108) are higher than Mesa (95).
Median household income in Durham is $57,738 compared to $60,234 in Mesa. When adjusted for cost of living, purchasing power is similar in both cities.
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