Median rent is 8% lower in Durham ($1,508/mo vs $1,648/mo). Buying is cheaper in Durham, where the median home runs $392,800 versus $452,600. Households earn more in Colorado Springs ($84,818 vs $81,619 a year). Taken together, Durham is the more affordable choice with a cost index of 91.9 against 98.1 — 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 98.1 in Colorado Springs (US national average = 100)
City A
Colorado Springs, CO
City B
Durham, NC
How much would you need to earn in Durham, NC to maintain your standard of living from Colorado Springs, CO?
Equivalent salary in Durham, NC
$70,272
You could earn $4,728 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
Colorado Springs
Colorado
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 $1,648/mo in Colorado Springs (8% gap). Median home values are within 13% of each other: $452,600 in Colorado Springs 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.
Colorado Springs
Income tax: N/A
Sales tax: N/A
Durham
Income tax: N/A
Sales tax: N/A
Colorado Springs has cleaner air on average: 23.0 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 98.1).
Pick Colorado Springs if you prioritize cleaner air quality (avg AQI 23.0).
Is Colorado Springs cheaper than Durham?
Durham is cheaper overall, with a cost of living index of 91.9 versus 98.1 (US average = 100). That means prices run about 6% lower in Durham.
How much is rent in Colorado Springs vs Durham?
Median rent is $1,648/mo in Colorado Springs, CO and $1,508/mo in Durham, NC. Durham, NC has the lower rent by about 8%.
Which has higher salaries — Colorado Springs or Durham?
Median household income is $84,818 in Colorado Springs, CO and $81,619 in Durham, NC. Colorado Springs, CO 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?
Colorado Springs, CO has better air quality on average: 23.0 AQI versus 33.0 AQI. Both are EPA AirNow annual averages; lower is better.
Which has lower taxes — Colorado Springs or Durham?
State tax data is not yet available for one or both cities.
What salary do I need in Durham to match my Colorado Springs income?
To maintain the same purchasing power, a salary of $100,000 in Colorado Springs, CO is equivalent to roughly $93,696 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
