Median rent is 22% lower in Durham ($1,508/mo vs $1,933/mo). Buying is cheaper in Durham, where the median home runs $392,800 versus $921,200. Households earn more in Los Angeles ($81,939 vs $81,619 a year). Taken together, Durham is the more affordable choice with a cost index of 91.9 against 114.7 — about 20% lower overall prices. After adjusting income for local prices, a typical paycheck stretches further in Durham, NC.
Cost of living verdict
Durham is 20% cheaper overall
Cost of Living Index: 91.9 in Durham vs 114.7 in Los Angeles (US national average = 100)
City A
Durham, NC
City B
Los Angeles, CA
How much would you need to earn in Los Angeles, CA to maintain your standard of living from Durham, NC?
Equivalent salary in Los Angeles, CA
$93,619
You'd need $18,619 more (25% higher).
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
Durham
North Carolina
Los Angeles
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: Census ACS, BEA, HUD Fair Market Rents, EPA AirNow, Tax Foundation
Renters will find significantly cheaper housing in Durham — median rent of $1,508/mo versus $1,933/mo in Los Angeles, a 22% difference. Home buyers face a steeper market in Los Angeles: the median home is $921,200 versus $392,800 in Durham — 57% more expensive.
Metric
Durham
Los Angeles
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.
Durham
Income tax: N/A
Sales tax: N/A
Los Angeles
Income tax: N/A
Sales tax: N/A
Los Angeles 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 114.7).
Pick Durham if you prioritize cheaper rent ($1,508/mo median).
Durham is cheaper overall, with a cost of living index of 91.9 versus 114.7 (US average = 100). That means prices run about 20% lower in Durham.
Median rent is $1,508/mo in Durham, NC and $1,933/mo in Los Angeles, CA. Durham, NC has the lower rent by about 22%.
Median household income is $81,619 in Durham, NC and $81,939 in Los Angeles, CA. Los Angeles, CA has the higher median income. Note that BLS occupational wages in the table above show wages for specific jobs.
Los Angeles, CA 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 Durham, NC is equivalent to roughly $124,825 in Los Angeles, CA (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
