Median rent is 5% lower in Durham ($1,412/mo vs $1,483/mo). Buying is cheaper in Durham, where the median home runs $355,300 versus $576,500. Households earn more in Chapel Hill ($85,825 vs $79,234 a year). Overall, the two cities have a nearly identical cost of living index (95.1).
City A
Chapel Hill, NC
City B
Durham, NC
How much would you need to earn in Durham, NC to maintain your standard of living from Chapel Hill, NC?
Equivalent salary in Durham, NC
$75,000
Costs are about the same in both cities.
Based on BEA Regional Price Parity (cost index) for each city's metro area. A rough estimate of overall purchasing power, not tax or take-home pay.
Metric
Chapel Hill
North Carolina
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: US Census ACS, BEA RPP, HUD FMR, EPA AirNow, Tax Foundation
Median rents are similar in both cities: $1,483/mo in Chapel Hill and $1,412/mo in Durham. Home buyers face a steeper market in Chapel Hill: the median home is $576,500 versus $355,300 in Durham — 38% more expensive.
1BR Fair Market Rent
2BR Fair Market Rent
BLS OEWS 2023 — metro-level data
North Carolina's top income tax rate is 4.50% versus 4.50% in North Carolina, so Durham is more tax-friendly for high earners. Sales tax is 4.75% in North Carolina and 4.75% in North Carolina; Durham has the lower rate (local add-ons may apply in both).
Chapel Hill
Income tax: 4.50%
Sales tax: 4.75%
Durham
Income tax: 4.50%
Sales tax: 4.75%
Air quality data is available for Durham (avg AQI 55.0) but not yet for Chapel Hill.
Pick Chapel Hill if you prioritize higher median household income ($85,825/yr).
Is Chapel Hill cheaper than Durham?
Chapel Hill is cheaper overall, with a cost of living index of 95.1 versus 95.1 (US average = 100). That means prices run about 0% lower in Chapel Hill.
How much is rent in Chapel Hill vs Durham?
Median rent is $1,483/mo in Chapel Hill, NC and $1,412/mo in Durham, NC. Durham, NC has the lower rent by about 5%.
Which has higher salaries — Chapel Hill or Durham?
Median household income is $85,825 in Chapel Hill, NC and $79,234 in Durham, NC. Chapel Hill, NC 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?
Air quality data is not yet available for one or both cities.
Which has lower taxes — Chapel Hill or Durham?
North Carolina's top income tax rate is 4.50% and North Carolina's is 4.50%. Durham, NC has the lower rate.
What salary do I need in Durham to match my Chapel Hill income?
To maintain the same purchasing power, a salary of $100,000 in Chapel Hill, NC is equivalent to roughly $100,000 in Durham, NC (using the BEA Regional Price Parity ratio). Use the salary calculator above for any income amount.
Data last updated: December 1, 2024 · Sources: US Census ACS, BEA RPP, BLS OEWS, HUD FMR, EPA AirNow, Tax Foundation · Methodology