Median rent is 17% lower in Durham ($1,508/mo vs $1,821/mo). Buying is cheaper in Durham, where the median home runs $392,800 versus $777,600. Households earn more in Durham ($81,619 vs $80,483 a year). Taken together, Durham is the more affordable choice with a cost index of 91.9 against 112.6 — about 18% lower overall prices. After adjusting income for local prices, a typical paycheck stretches further in Durham, NC.
Cost of living verdict
Durham is 18% cheaper overall
Cost of Living Index: 91.9 in Durham vs 112.6 in New York (US national average = 100)
City A
Durham, NC
City B
New York, NY
How much would you need to earn in New York, NY to maintain your standard of living from Durham, NC?
Equivalent salary in New York, NY
$91,902
You'd need $16,902 more (23% 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
New York
New York
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 $1,821/mo in New York (17% gap). Home buyers face a steeper market in New York: the median home is $777,600 versus $392,800 in Durham — 49% more expensive.
Metric
Durham
New York
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
New York
Income tax: N/A
Sales tax: N/A
Durham has cleaner air on average: 33.0 AQI (Good) compared to 46.0 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 112.6).
Pick Durham if you prioritize cheaper rent ($1,508/mo median).
Pick Durham if you prioritize cleaner air quality (avg AQI 33.0).
Durham is cheaper overall, with a cost of living index of 91.9 versus 112.6 (US average = 100). That means prices run about 18% lower in Durham.
Median rent is $1,508/mo in Durham, NC and $1,821/mo in New York, NY. Durham, NC has the lower rent by about 17%.
Median household income is $81,619 in Durham, NC and $80,483 in New York, NY. Durham, NC has the higher median income. Note that BLS occupational wages in the table above show wages for specific jobs.
Durham, NC has better air quality on average: 33.0 AQI versus 46.0 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 $122,536 in New York, NY (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
