Median rent is 30% lower in Durham ($1,508/mo vs $2,147/mo). Buying is cheaper in Durham, where the median home runs $392,800 versus $731,700. Households earn more in Boston ($97,344 vs $81,619 a year). Taken together, Durham is the more affordable choice with a cost index of 91.9 against 110.4 — about 17% lower overall prices.
Cost of living verdict
Durham is 17% cheaper overall
Cost of Living Index: 91.9 in Durham vs 110.4 in Boston (US national average = 100)
City A
Boston, MA
City B
Durham, NC
How much would you need to earn in Durham, NC to maintain your standard of living from Boston, MA?
Equivalent salary in Durham, NC
$62,455
You could earn $12,545 less (17% 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
Boston
Massachusetts
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
Renters will find significantly cheaper housing in Durham — median rent of $1,508/mo versus $2,147/mo in Boston, a 30% difference. Home buyers face a steeper market in Boston: the median home is $731,700 versus $392,800 in Durham — 46% more expensive.
1BR Fair Market Rent
2BR Fair Market Rent
BLS OEWS 2023 — metro-level data
State tax data is not yet available for these cities.
Boston
Income tax: N/A
Sales tax: N/A
Durham
Income tax: N/A
Sales tax: N/A
Boston has cleaner air on average: 31.0 AQI (Good) compared to 33.0 AQI (Good) in the other city. Lower AQI means cleaner, healthier air.
Pick Durham if you prioritize lower overall cost of living (index 91.9 vs 110.4).
Pick Boston if you prioritize higher median household income ($97,344/yr).
Pick Durham if you prioritize cheaper rent ($1,508/mo median).
Is Boston cheaper than Durham?
Durham is cheaper overall, with a cost of living index of 91.9 versus 110.4 (US average = 100). That means prices run about 17% lower in Durham.
How much is rent in Boston vs Durham?
Median rent is $2,147/mo in Boston, MA and $1,508/mo in Durham, NC. Durham, NC has the lower rent by about 30%.
Which has higher salaries — Boston or Durham?
Median household income is $97,344 in Boston, MA and $81,619 in Durham, NC. Boston, MA 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?
Boston, MA has better air quality on average: 31.0 AQI versus 33.0 AQI. Both are EPA AirNow annual averages; lower is better.
Which has lower taxes — Boston or Durham?
State tax data is not yet available for one or both cities.
What salary do I need in Durham to match my Boston income?
To maintain the same purchasing power, a salary of $100,000 in Boston, MA is equivalent to roughly $83,273 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
