Philadelphia vs Durham

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: Pennsylvania salaries · North Carolina salaries

Living in Philadelphia vs Durham

Housing is typically the biggest factor in any cost-of-living comparison. Philadelphia has a housing index of 107 while Durham sits at 104 (national average = 100). The median home in Philadelphia costs $240,000 compared to $340,000 in Durham, a difference of $100,000. Monthly rent follows a similar pattern: $1,400 in Philadelphia versus $1,400 in Durham.

Groceries and everyday expenses show a narrower gap: Philadelphia scores 104 while Durham scores 100. Both cities are close to the national average for grocery costs.

Healthcare costs in Philadelphia (101) are lower than Durham (108).

Median household income in Philadelphia is $49,127 compared to $57,738 in Durham. When adjusted for cost of living, income goes further in Durham.

Relocating: Philadelphia vs Durham

If you are considering a move between Philadelphia (index: 106) and Durham (index: 101), the 5% cost difference has real implications for your budget. Durham 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 Philadelphia can afford $1,146/month, while the median household in Durham can afford $1,347/month. With median homes at $240,000 in Philadelphia versus $340,000 in Durham, both cities offer reasonable homeownership opportunities at median income.

Renting vs buying: At $1,400/month in Philadelphia 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 significantly further in Durham. 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: Philadelphia (106) vs Durham (101)

The cost of living index uses 100 as the national average. Philadelphia at 106 is 6% above 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 $1,400/month in Philadelphia and $1,400/month in Durham, the annual rent difference is approximately $0. Over a 5-year period, that compounds to $0 in savings by choosing the more affordable city.

For homebuyers: The $100,000 difference in median home prices between Philadelphia and Durham translates to roughly $6,000 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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