Durham vs Roanoke
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Durham
Roanoke
The Verdict
The cost gap between these cities is 24.7%, with Roanoke being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in Durham has equivalent purchasing power to $60,149 in Roanoke.
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 $60,149 in Roanoke.
Conversely, $75,000 in Roanoke equals $93,519 in Durham.
Living in Durham vs Roanoke
Housing Costs
Durham's housing index of 104 is higher Roanoke's 57, translating to median home prices of $340,000 vs $225,000. The $115,000 difference in home prices means roughly $7,476 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,400/mo in Durham compared to $1,075/mo in Roanoke, a monthly difference of $325.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 100 in Durham and 97 in Roanoke. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $475/month in Durham vs $461/month in Roanoke. 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 116 in Roanoke. Monthly utility bills average approximately $372 in Durham vs $464 in Roanoke. 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 91 in Roanoke. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 17-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 $52,700 in Roanoke. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $57,166 and $65,062 respectively. Roanoke 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 $1,230/month in Roanoke. In Durham, median rent of $1,400/mo exceeds this threshold, suggesting renters may feel stretched. In Roanoke, median rent of $1,075/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 47 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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