City Comparison

Durham vs Springdale

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Durham

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

Springdale

Arkansas
87
Below Average
$299,000
Median Home
$1,000/mo
Median Rent
$62,100
Median Income

The Verdict

16.1%

The cost gap between these cities is 16.1%, with Springdale being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in Durham has equivalent purchasing power to $64,604 in Springdale.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
104
Durham
86
Springdale
Groceries
100
Durham
97
Springdale
Utilities
93
Durham
93
Springdale
Transportation
100
Durham
91
Springdale
Healthcare
108
Durham
82
Springdale

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Durham has the same purchasing power as $64,604 in Springdale.

Conversely, $75,000 in Springdale equals $87,069 in Durham.

Living in Durham vs Springdale

Housing Costs

Durham's housing index of 104 is higher Springdale's 86, translating to median home prices of $340,000 vs $299,000. The $41,000 difference in home prices means roughly $2,664 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,400/mo in Durham compared to $1,000/mo in Springdale, a monthly difference of $400.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 100 in Durham and 97 in Springdale. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $475/month in Durham vs $461/month in Springdale. 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 93 in Springdale. Monthly utility bills average approximately $372 in Durham vs $372 in Springdale. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.

Healthcare

Healthcare costs index at 108 in Durham and 82 in Springdale. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 26-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 $62,100 in Springdale. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $57,166 and $71,379 respectively. Springdale 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 $1,449/month in Springdale. In Durham, median rent of $1,400/mo exceeds this threshold, suggesting renters may feel stretched. In Springdale, median rent of $1,000/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Healthcare, where the gap is 26 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Springdale is 16.1% more affordable overall with an index of 87 vs 101.
A $75,000 salary in Durham has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $64,604 in Springdale, based on the cost of living difference.
Durham's housing index is 104 with median homes at $340,000, while Springdale's is 86 with median homes at $299,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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