Median rent is 6% lower in Durham ($1,508/mo vs $1,612/mo). Buying is cheaper in Charlotte, where the median home runs $385,700 versus $392,800. Households earn more in Charlotte ($82,068 vs $81,619 a year). Taken together, Durham is the more affordable choice with a cost index of 91.9 against 97.3 — about 6% lower overall prices. After adjusting income for local prices, a typical paycheck stretches further in Durham, NC.
Cost of living verdict
Durham is 6% cheaper overall
Cost of Living Index: 91.9 in Durham vs 97.3 in Charlotte (US national average = 100)
City A
Charlotte, NC
City B
Durham, NC
How much would you need to earn in Durham, NC to maintain your standard of living from Charlotte, NC?
Equivalent salary in Durham, NC
$70,842
You could earn $4,158 less (6% 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
Charlotte
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: Census ACS, BEA, HUD Fair Market Rents, EPA AirNow, Tax Foundation
Median rent is modestly lower in Durham at $1,508/mo compared to $1,612/mo in Charlotte (6% gap). Median home values are within 2% of each other: $385,700 in Charlotte 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.
Charlotte
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 55.0 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 97.3).
Pick Durham if you prioritize cleaner air quality (avg AQI 33.0).
Is Charlotte cheaper than Durham?
Durham is cheaper overall, with a cost of living index of 91.9 versus 97.3 (US average = 100). That means prices run about 6% lower in Durham.
How much is rent in Charlotte vs Durham?
Median rent is $1,612/mo in Charlotte, NC and $1,508/mo in Durham, NC. Durham, NC has the lower rent by about 6%.
Which has higher salaries — Charlotte or Durham?
Median household income is $82,068 in Charlotte, NC and $81,619 in Durham, NC. Charlotte, 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?
Durham, NC has better air quality on average: 33.0 AQI versus 55.0 AQI. Both are EPA AirNow annual averages; lower is better.
Which has lower taxes — Charlotte or Durham?
State tax data is not yet available for one or both cities.
What salary do I need in Durham to match my Charlotte income?
To maintain the same purchasing power, a salary of $100,000 in Charlotte, NC is equivalent to roughly $94,457 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
