Median rent is 8% lower in Newark ($1,392/mo vs $1,508/mo). Buying is cheaper in Newark, where the median home runs $373,700 versus $392,800. Households earn more in Durham ($81,619 vs $52,060 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 Newark (US national average = 100)
City A
Durham, NC
City B
Newark, NJ
How much would you need to earn in Newark, NJ to maintain your standard of living from Durham, NC?
Equivalent salary in Newark, NJ
$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
Newark
New Jersey
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 Newark at $1,392/mo compared to $1,508/mo in Durham (8% gap). Median home values are within 5% of each other: $392,800 in Durham and $373,700 in Newark.
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
Newark
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 higher median household income ($81,619/yr).
Pick Durham if you prioritize cleaner air quality (avg AQI 33.0).
Is Durham cheaper than Newark?
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.
How much is rent in Durham vs Newark?
Median rent is $1,508/mo in Durham, NC and $1,392/mo in Newark, NJ. Newark, NJ has the lower rent by about 8%.
Which has higher salaries — Durham or Newark?
Median household income is $81,619 in Durham, NC and $52,060 in Newark, NJ. 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 46.0 AQI. Both are EPA AirNow annual averages; lower is better.
Which has lower taxes — Durham or Newark?
State tax data is not yet available for one or both cities.
What salary do I need in Newark to match my Durham income?
To maintain the same purchasing power, a salary of $100,000 in Durham, NC is equivalent to roughly $122,536 in Newark, NJ (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
