Durham vs Stockholm
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Durham
Stockholm
The Verdict
Stockholm is 4.1% less expensive than Durham overall. A household earning $75,000 in Durham would need approximately $72,030 in Stockholm to maintain the same standard of living.
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 $72,030 in Stockholm.
Conversely, $75,000 in Stockholm equals $78,093 in Durham.
Living in Durham vs Stockholm
Housing Costs
Durham's housing index of 104 is lower Stockholm's 118, translating to median home prices of $340,000 vs $445,000. The $105,000 difference in home prices means roughly $6,828 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,400/mo in Durham compared to $1,500/mo in Stockholm, a monthly difference of $100.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 100 in Durham and 92 in Stockholm. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $475/month in Durham vs $437/month in Stockholm. Stockholm offers a meaningful advantage on everyday food costs, saving roughly $456/year.
Utility Expenses
Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 93 in Durham and 88 in Stockholm. Monthly utility bills average approximately $372 in Durham vs $352 in Stockholm. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.
Healthcare
Healthcare costs index at 108 in Durham and 82 in Stockholm. 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 $50,000 in Stockholm. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $57,166 and $51,546 respectively. Durham residents enjoy stronger real purchasing power despite higher nominal wages.
Relocation Considerations
Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $1,347/month to housing in Durham vs $1,167/month in Stockholm. In Durham, median rent of $1,400/mo exceeds this threshold, suggesting renters may feel stretched. In Stockholm, median rent of $1,500/mo pushes past the recommended limit. 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
Moving & Relocation Resources
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