Durham vs Sugar Land

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 $81,683 in Sugar Land.

Conversely, $75,000 in Sugar Land equals $68,864 in Durham.

Living in Durham vs Sugar Land

Housing Costs

Durham's housing index of 104 is lower Sugar Land's 128, translating to median home prices of $340,000 vs $456,000. The $116,000 difference in home prices means roughly $7,536 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,400/mo in Durham compared to $1,625/mo in Sugar Land, a monthly difference of $225.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 100 in Durham and 99 in Sugar Land. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $475/month in Durham vs $470/month in Sugar Land. 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 96 in Sugar Land. Monthly utility bills average approximately $372 in Durham vs $384 in Sugar Land. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.

Healthcare

Healthcare costs index at 108 in Durham and 96 in Sugar Land. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 12-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 $128,400 in Sugar Land. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $57,166 and $116,727 respectively. Sugar Land 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 $2,996/month in Sugar Land. In Durham, median rent of $1,400/mo exceeds this threshold, suggesting renters may feel stretched. In Sugar Land, median rent of $1,625/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 24 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Moving & Relocation Resources

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