Durham vs Yonkers
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Durham
Yonkers
The Verdict
The cost gap between these cities is 28.9%, with Durham being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in Durham has equivalent purchasing power to $105,446 in Yonkers.
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 $105,446 in Yonkers.
Conversely, $75,000 in Yonkers equals $53,345 in Durham.
Living in Durham vs Yonkers
Housing Costs
Durham's housing index of 104 is lower Yonkers's 203, translating to median home prices of $340,000 vs $635,000. The $295,000 difference in home prices means roughly $19,176 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,400/mo in Durham compared to $2,200/mo in Yonkers, a monthly difference of $800.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 100 in Durham and 106 in Yonkers. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $475/month in Durham vs $504/month in Yonkers. Durham offers a meaningful advantage on everyday food costs, saving roughly $348/year.
Utility Expenses
Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 93 in Durham and 117 in Yonkers. Monthly utility bills average approximately $372 in Durham vs $468 in Yonkers. 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 107 in Yonkers. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. Healthcare costs are relatively similar between these two cities, though individual plan costs can still vary.
Income & Purchasing Power
Median household income is $57,738 in Durham and $80,600 in Yonkers. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $57,166 and $56,761 respectively. Durham residents enjoy stronger real purchasing power despite lower nominal wages.
Relocation Considerations
Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $1,347/month to housing in Durham vs $1,881/month in Yonkers. In Durham, median rent of $1,400/mo exceeds this threshold, suggesting renters may feel stretched. In Yonkers, median rent of $2,200/mo pushes past the recommended limit. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 99 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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