Orlando vs Durham
Side-by-side cost of living comparison for 2026
Orlando
Durham
💡 The Verdict
Orlando and Durham have very similar costs of living, with less than a 3% difference overall.
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: Florida salaries · North Carolina salaries
Living in Orlando vs Durham
Housing is typically the biggest factor in any cost-of-living comparison. Orlando has a housing index of 104 while Durham sits at 104 (national average = 100). The median home in Orlando costs $320,000 compared to $340,000 in Durham, a difference of $20,000. Monthly rent follows a similar pattern: $1,650 in Orlando versus $1,400 in Durham.
Groceries and everyday expenses show a narrower gap: Orlando scores 103 while Durham scores 100. Both cities are close to the national average for grocery costs.
Healthcare costs in Orlando (96) are lower than Durham (108).
Median household income in Orlando is $48,080 compared to $57,738 in Durham. When adjusted for cost of living, purchasing power is similar in both cities.
Relocating: Orlando vs Durham
If you are considering a move between Orlando (index: 100) and Durham (index: 101), the 1% cost difference has real implications for your budget. Orlando 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 Orlando can afford $1,122/month, while the median household in Durham can afford $1,347/month. With median homes at $320,000 in Orlando versus $340,000 in Durham, both cities offer reasonable homeownership opportunities at median income.
Renting vs buying: At $1,650/month in Orlando and $1,400/month in Durham, renters face similar costs in both cities. 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 about equally far in both cities. 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: Orlando (100) vs Durham (101)
The cost of living index uses 100 as the national average. Orlando at 100 is 0% below the US average, while Durham at 101 is 1% above average. Both cities are close to the national average in overall costs.
The overall index is a weighted average of housing (the largest component), groceries, utilities, transportation, and healthcare. Housing typically drives the biggest differences between cities. Even when two cities have similar overall indices, their category-level costs can vary significantly — one city might have expensive housing but cheap groceries, while another is the reverse. Check the category breakdown above for the full picture.
For renters: With median rents of $1,650/month in Orlando and $1,400/month in Durham, the annual rent difference is approximately $3,000. Over a 5-year period, that compounds to $15,000 in savings by choosing the more affordable city.
For homebuyers: The $20,000 difference in median home prices between Orlando and Durham translates to roughly $1,200 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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