Median rent is 3% lower in Hoover ($1,457/mo vs $1,508/mo). Buying is cheaper in Durham, where the median home runs $392,800 versus $412,200. Households earn more in Hoover ($109,253 vs $81,619 a year). Taken together, Hoover is the more affordable choice with a cost index of 91.8 against 91.9 — about 0% lower overall prices. After adjusting income for local prices, a typical paycheck stretches further in Hoover, AL.
City A
Durham, NC
City B
Hoover, AL
How much would you need to earn in Hoover, AL to maintain your standard of living from Durham, NC?
Equivalent salary in Hoover, AL
$74,867
You could earn $133 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
Hoover
Alabama
👥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: $1,508/mo in Durham and $1,457/mo in Hoover. Median home values are within 5% of each other: $392,800 in Durham and $412,200 in Hoover.
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
Hoover
Income tax: N/A
Sales tax: N/A
Air quality data is available for Durham (avg AQI 33.0) but not yet for Hoover.
Pick Hoover if you prioritize higher median household income ($109,253/yr).
Is Durham cheaper than Hoover?
Hoover is cheaper overall, with a cost of living index of 91.8 versus 91.9 (US average = 100). That means prices run about 0% lower in Hoover.
How much is rent in Durham vs Hoover?
Median rent is $1,508/mo in Durham, NC and $1,457/mo in Hoover, AL. Hoover, AL has the lower rent by about 3%.
Which has higher salaries — Durham or Hoover?
Median household income is $81,619 in Durham, NC and $109,253 in Hoover, AL. Hoover, AL 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 — Durham or Hoover?
State tax data is not yet available for one or both cities.
What salary do I need in Hoover to match my Durham income?
To maintain the same purchasing power, a salary of $100,000 in Durham, NC is equivalent to roughly $99,823 in Hoover, AL (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
