Median rent is 6% lower in Fresno ($1,421/mo vs $1,508/mo). Buying is cheaper in Fresno, where the median home runs $374,800 versus $392,800. Households earn more in Durham ($81,619 vs $70,991 a year). Taken together, Fresno is the more affordable choice with a cost index of 91.9 against 91.9 — about 0% lower overall prices. After adjusting income for local prices, a typical paycheck stretches further in Durham, NC.
City A
Durham, NC
City B
Fresno, CA
How much would you need to earn in Fresno, CA to maintain your standard of living from Durham, NC?
Equivalent salary in Fresno, CA
$74,940
You could earn $60 less (0% lower) and break even.
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
Durham
North Carolina
Fresno
California
👥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 rent is modestly lower in Fresno at $1,421/mo compared to $1,508/mo in Durham (6% gap). Median home values are within 5% of each other: $392,800 in Durham and $374,800 in Fresno.
1BR Fair Market Rent
2BR Fair Market Rent
BLS OEWS 2023 — metro-level data
State tax data is not yet available for these cities.
Durham
Income tax: N/A
Sales tax: N/A
Fresno
Income tax: N/A
Sales tax: N/A
Durham has cleaner air on average: 33.0 AQI (Good) compared to 53.0 AQI (Moderate) in the other city. Lower AQI means cleaner, healthier air.
Pick Durham if you prioritize higher median household income ($81,619/yr).
Pick Durham if you prioritize cleaner air quality (avg AQI 33.0).
Is Durham cheaper than Fresno?
Fresno is cheaper overall, with a cost of living index of 91.9 versus 91.9 (US average = 100). That means prices run about 0% lower in Fresno.
How much is rent in Durham vs Fresno?
Median rent is $1,508/mo in Durham, NC and $1,421/mo in Fresno, CA. Fresno, CA has the lower rent by about 6%.
Which has higher salaries — Durham or Fresno?
Median household income is $81,619 in Durham, NC and $70,991 in Fresno, CA. Durham, 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 53.0 AQI. Both are EPA AirNow annual averages; lower is better.
Which has lower taxes — Durham or Fresno?
State tax data is not yet available for one or both cities.
What salary do I need in Fresno to match my Durham income?
To maintain the same purchasing power, a salary of $100,000 in Durham, NC is equivalent to roughly $99,920 in Fresno, CA (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
