Durham vs Youngstown
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Durham
Youngstown
The Verdict
Living in Youngstown costs 23.2% less than Durham. To match the purchasing power of a $75,000 salary in Durham, you would need $60,891 in Youngstown.
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 $60,891 in Youngstown.
Conversely, $75,000 in Youngstown equals $92,378 in Durham.
Living in Durham vs Youngstown
Housing Costs
Durham's housing index of 104 is higher Youngstown's 41, translating to median home prices of $340,000 vs $102,000. The $238,000 difference in home prices means roughly $15,468 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,400/mo in Durham compared to $725/mo in Youngstown, a monthly difference of $675.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 100 in Durham and 98 in Youngstown. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $475/month in Durham vs $466/month in Youngstown. 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 Youngstown. Monthly utility bills average approximately $372 in Durham vs $384 in Youngstown. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.
Healthcare
Healthcare costs index at 108 in Durham and 90 in Youngstown. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 18-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 $34,600 in Youngstown. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $57,166 and $42,195 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 $807/month in Youngstown. In Durham, median rent of $1,400/mo exceeds this threshold, suggesting renters may feel stretched. In Youngstown, median rent of $725/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 63 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases