Raleigh vs Durham

Category-by-Category Breakdown

Index values shown. National average = 100. Lower is cheaper.

💰 Salary Equivalence

To maintain the same standard of living:

See exact take-home pay: North Carolina salaries · North Carolina salaries

Living in Raleigh vs Durham

Housing is typically the biggest factor in any cost-of-living comparison. Raleigh has a housing index of 107 while Durham sits at 104 (national average = 100). The median home in Raleigh costs $370,000 compared to $340,000 in Durham, a difference of $30,000. Monthly rent follows a similar pattern: $1,500 in Raleigh versus $1,400 in Durham.

Groceries and everyday expenses show a narrower gap: Raleigh scores 100 while Durham scores 100. Both cities are close to the national average for grocery costs.

Healthcare costs in Raleigh (108) match Durham (108).

Median household income in Raleigh is $67,266 compared to $57,738 in Durham. When adjusted for cost of living, purchasing power is similar in both cities.

Relocating: Raleigh vs Durham

If you are considering a move between Raleigh (index: 102) and Durham (index: 101), the 1% cost difference has real implications for your budget. Durham is the more affordable option, but the right choice depends on your income, career opportunities, and lifestyle priorities.

Housing budget reality: Using the 28% rule (spending no more than 28% of gross income on housing), the median household in Raleigh can afford $1,570/month, while the median household in Durham can afford $1,347/month. With median homes at $370,000 in Raleigh versus $340,000 in Durham, homeownership requires above-median income in the pricier market.

Renting vs buying: At $1,500/month in Raleigh and $1,400/month in Durham, renters face similar costs in both cities. The rent-to-own ratio in each city determines whether renting or buying offers better value for your situation.

Income adjustment: A $75,000 salary goes about equally far in both cities. Before accepting a job in either city, use the salary equivalence data above to understand what you would need to earn to maintain your current standard of living.

Reading These Numbers: Raleigh (102) vs Durham (101)

The cost of living index uses 100 as the national average. Raleigh at 102 is 2% above the US average, while Durham at 101 is 1% above average. Both cities are close to the national average in overall costs.

Raleigh and Durham land within 1 points of each other on the composite index (102 vs 101), so the overall cost picture is similar. No single category diverges by more than 3 points, which means the overall difference is distributed evenly across housing, groceries, utilities, transportation, and healthcare rather than concentrated in one area. Housing costs are comparable between the two metros, with Raleigh at 107 and Durham at 104 on the housing sub-index and median home prices of $370,000 and $340,000 respectively. With nearly identical cost profiles, the deciding factor between Raleigh and Durham is more likely income potential, career opportunity, or lifestyle preference than raw cost of living.

For renters: With median rents of $1,500/month in Raleigh and $1,400/month in Durham, the annual rent difference is approximately $1,200. Over a 5-year period, that compounds to $6,000 in savings by choosing the more affordable city.

For homebuyers: The $30,000 difference in median home prices between Raleigh and Durham translates to roughly $1,800 per month in mortgage payments at current rates. Factor this into your budget alongside property taxes and insurance, which also vary by location.

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