Durham vs Surprise
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Durham
Surprise
The Verdict
The cost gap between these cities is 1.9%, with Durham being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in Durham has equivalent purchasing power to $76,485 in Surprise.
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 $76,485 in Surprise.
Conversely, $75,000 in Surprise equals $73,544 in Durham.
Living in Durham vs Surprise
Housing Costs
Durham's housing index of 104 is lower Surprise's 105, translating to median home prices of $340,000 vs $419,000. The $79,000 difference in home prices means roughly $5,136 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,400/mo in Durham compared to $1,575/mo in Surprise, a monthly difference of $175.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 100 in Durham and 100 in Surprise. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $475/month in Durham vs $475/month in Surprise. 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 102 in Surprise. Monthly utility bills average approximately $372 in Durham vs $408 in Surprise. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.
Healthcare
Healthcare costs index at 108 in Durham and 97 in Surprise. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 11-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 $85,500 in Surprise. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $57,166 and $83,010 respectively. Surprise 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 $1,995/month in Surprise. In Durham, median rent of $1,400/mo exceeds this threshold, suggesting renters may feel stretched. In Surprise, median rent of $1,575/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Healthcare, where the gap is 11 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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