City Comparison

Durham vs Peoria

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Durham

North Carolina
101
Average
$340,000
Median Home
$1,400/mo
Median Rent
$57,738
Median Income

Peoria

Arizona
113
Above Average
$495,000
Median Home
$1,725/mo
Median Rent
$97,300
Median Income

The Verdict

10.6%

The cost gap between these cities is 10.6%, with Durham being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in Durham has equivalent purchasing power to $83,911 in Peoria.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

Index values · National average = 100 · Lower is more affordable

Housing
104
Durham
149
Peoria
Groceries
100
Durham
98
Peoria
Utilities
93
Durham
106
Peoria
Transportation
100
Durham
95
Peoria
Healthcare
108
Durham
86
Peoria

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Durham has the same purchasing power as $83,911 in Peoria.

Conversely, $75,000 in Peoria equals $67,035 in Durham.

Living in Durham vs Peoria

Housing Costs

Durham's housing index of 104 is lower Peoria's 149, translating to median home prices of $340,000 vs $495,000. The $155,000 difference in home prices means roughly $10,080 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,400/mo in Durham compared to $1,725/mo in Peoria, a monthly difference of $325.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 100 in Durham and 98 in Peoria. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $475/month in Durham vs $466/month in Peoria. 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 106 in Peoria. Monthly utility bills average approximately $372 in Durham vs $424 in Peoria. Climate differences between the two cities drive much of this gap, with heating and cooling costs varying substantially by region.

Healthcare

Healthcare costs index at 108 in Durham and 86 in Peoria. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 22-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 $97,300 in Peoria. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $57,166 and $86,106 respectively. Peoria 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 $2,270/month in Peoria. In Durham, median rent of $1,400/mo exceeds this threshold, suggesting renters may feel stretched. In Peoria, median rent of $1,725/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 45 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Durham is 10.6% more affordable overall with an index of 101 vs 113.
A $75,000 salary in Durham has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $83,911 in Peoria, based on the cost of living difference.
Durham's housing index is 104 with median homes at $340,000, while Peoria's is 149 with median homes at $495,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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