Median rent is 5% lower in Chicago ($1,440/mo vs $1,508/mo). Buying is cheaper in Chicago, where the median home runs $334,100 versus $392,800. Households earn more in Durham ($81,619 vs $77,902 a year). Taken together, Durham is the more affordable choice with a cost index of 91.9 against 102.5 — about 10% lower overall prices. After adjusting income for local prices, a typical paycheck stretches further in Durham, NC.
Cost of living verdict
Durham is 10% cheaper overall
Cost of Living Index: 91.9 in Durham vs 102.5 in Chicago (US national average = 100)
City A
Chicago, IL
City B
Durham, NC
How much would you need to earn in Durham, NC to maintain your standard of living from Chicago, IL?
Equivalent salary in Durham, NC
$67,274
You could earn $7,726 less (10% 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
Chicago
Illinois
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 rents are similar in both cities: $1,440/mo in Chicago and $1,508/mo in Durham. Median home values are within 15% of each other: $334,100 in Chicago and $392,800 in Durham.
Metric
Chicago
Durham
Software Developer
Registered Nurse
Elementary Teacher
Electrician
Accountant
Higher wage highlighted · BLS OEWS 2023 (metro-level data)
State tax data is not yet available for these cities.
Chicago
Income tax: N/A
Sales tax: N/A
Durham
Income tax: N/A
Sales tax: N/A
Chicago 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 102.5).
Durham is cheaper overall, with a cost of living index of 91.9 versus 102.5 (US average = 100). That means prices run about 10% lower in Durham.
Median rent is $1,440/mo in Chicago, IL and $1,508/mo in Durham, NC. Chicago, IL has the lower rent by about 5%.
Median household income is $77,902 in Chicago, IL and $81,619 in Durham, NC. Durham, NC has the higher median income. Note that BLS occupational wages in the table above show wages for specific jobs.
Chicago, IL has better air quality on average: 31.0 AQI versus 33.0 AQI. Both are EPA AirNow annual averages; lower is better.
State tax data is not yet available for one or both cities.
To maintain the same purchasing power, a salary of $100,000 in Chicago, IL is equivalent to roughly $89,698 in Durham, NC (using the BEA Regional Price Parity ratio). Use the salary calculator above for any income amount.
Data last updated: June 1, 2026 · Sources: US Census ACS, BEA RPP, BLS OEWS, HUD FMR, EPA AirNow, Tax Foundation · Methodology
