Median rent is 5% lower in Durham ($1,508/mo vs $1,582/mo). Buying is cheaper in Durham, where the median home runs $392,800 versus $420,700. Households earn more in Durham ($81,619 vs $81,332 a year). Taken together, Durham is the more affordable choice with a cost index of 91.9 against 104.7 — about 12% lower overall prices. After adjusting income for local prices, a typical paycheck stretches further in Durham, NC.
Cost of living verdict
Durham is 12% cheaper overall
Cost of Living Index: 91.9 in Durham vs 104.7 in Phoenix (US national average = 100)
City A
Durham, NC
City B
Phoenix, AZ
How much would you need to earn in Phoenix, AZ to maintain your standard of living from Durham, NC?
Equivalent salary in Phoenix, AZ
$85,401
You'd need $10,401 more (14% 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
Phoenix
Arizona
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 rents are similar in both cities: $1,508/mo in Durham and $1,582/mo in Phoenix. Median home values are within 7% of each other: $392,800 in Durham and $420,700 in Phoenix.
Metric
Durham
Phoenix
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
Phoenix
Income tax: N/A
Sales tax: N/A
Phoenix has cleaner air on average: 28.0 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 104.7).
Durham is cheaper overall, with a cost of living index of 91.9 versus 104.7 (US average = 100). That means prices run about 12% lower in Durham.
Median rent is $1,508/mo in Durham, NC and $1,582/mo in Phoenix, AZ. Durham, NC has the lower rent by about 5%.
Median household income is $81,619 in Durham, NC and $81,332 in Phoenix, AZ. Durham, NC has the higher median income. Note that BLS occupational wages in the table above show wages for specific jobs.
Phoenix, AZ has better air quality on average: 28.0 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 $113,867 in Phoenix, AZ (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
