Median rent is 12% lower in Durham ($1,508/mo vs $1,711/mo). Buying is cheaper in Durham, where the median home runs $392,800 versus $439,600. Households earn more in Atlanta ($85,652 vs $81,619 a year). Taken together, Durham is the more affordable choice with a cost index of 91.9 against 100.5 — about 9% lower overall prices. After adjusting income for local prices, a typical paycheck stretches further in Durham, NC.
Cost of living verdict
Durham is 9% cheaper overall
Cost of Living Index: 91.9 in Durham vs 100.5 in Atlanta (US national average = 100)
City A
Atlanta, GA
City B
Durham, NC
How much would you need to earn in Durham, NC to maintain your standard of living from Atlanta, GA?
Equivalent salary in Durham, NC
$68,616
You could earn $6,384 less (9% lower) and break even.
Based on BEA Regional Price Parity (cost index) for each metro area. This estimates overall purchasing power; it does not account for taxes or take-home pay differences.
Metric
Atlanta
Georgia
Durham
North Carolina
Population
Median Household Income
Annual
Median Gross Rent
Per month
Median Home Value
Cost of Living Index
US avg = 100
1BR Fair Market Rent
HUD FMR
2BR Fair Market Rent
HUD FMR
3BR Fair Market Rent
HUD FMR
Air Quality Index
Lower = cleaner
Top State Income Tax
Top marginal rate
State Sales Tax
Statewide base rate
Median Age
Years
✓ = better value · Sources: Census ACS, BEA, HUD Fair Market Rents, EPA AirNow, Tax Foundation
Median rent is modestly lower in Durham at $1,508/mo compared to $1,711/mo in Atlanta (12% gap). Median home values are within 11% of each other: $439,600 in Atlanta and $392,800 in Durham.
1BR Fair Market Rent
2BR Fair Market Rent
BLS OEWS 2023 — metro-level data
State tax data is not yet available for these cities.
Atlanta
Income tax: N/A
Sales tax: N/A
Durham
Income tax: N/A
Sales tax: N/A
Durham has cleaner air on average: 33.0 AQI (Good) compared to 52.0 AQI (Moderate) in the other city. Lower AQI means cleaner, healthier air.
Pick Durham if you prioritize lower overall cost of living (index 91.9 vs 100.5).
Pick Durham if you prioritize cheaper rent ($1,508/mo median).
Pick Durham if you prioritize cleaner air quality (avg AQI 33.0).
Is Atlanta cheaper than Durham?
Durham is cheaper overall, with a cost of living index of 91.9 versus 100.5 (US average = 100). That means prices run about 9% lower in Durham.
How much is rent in Atlanta vs Durham?
Median rent is $1,711/mo in Atlanta, GA and $1,508/mo in Durham, NC. Durham, NC has the lower rent by about 12%.
Which has higher salaries — Atlanta or Durham?
Median household income is $85,652 in Atlanta, GA and $81,619 in Durham, NC. Atlanta, GA has the higher median income. Note that BLS occupational wages in the table above show wages for specific jobs.
Which city has better air quality?
Durham, NC has better air quality on average: 33.0 AQI versus 52.0 AQI. Both are EPA AirNow annual averages; lower is better.
Which has lower taxes — Atlanta or Durham?
State tax data is not yet available for one or both cities.
What salary do I need in Durham to match my Atlanta income?
To maintain the same purchasing power, a salary of $100,000 in Atlanta, GA is equivalent to roughly $91,488 in Durham, NC (using the BEA Regional Price Parity ratio). Use the salary calculator above for any income amount.
Data last updated: December 1, 2026 · Sources: US Census ACS, BEA RPP, BLS OEWS, HUD FMR, EPA AirNow, Tax Foundation · Methodology
