Median rent is 23% lower in Durham ($1,508/mo vs $1,954/mo). Buying is cheaper in Durham, where the median home runs $392,800 versus $737,100. Households earn more in Washington ($109,870 vs $81,619 a year). Taken together, Durham is the more affordable choice with a cost index of 91.9 against 109.5 — about 16% lower overall prices. After adjusting income for local prices, a typical paycheck stretches further in Washington, DC.
Cost of living verdict
Durham is 16% cheaper overall
Cost of Living Index: 91.9 in Durham vs 109.5 in Washington (US national average = 100)
City A
Durham, NC
City B
Washington, DC
How much would you need to earn in Washington, DC to maintain your standard of living from Durham, NC?
Equivalent salary in Washington, DC
$89,371
You'd need $14,371 more (19% 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
Washington
District of Columbia
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 $1,954/mo in Washington, a 23% difference. Home buyers face a steeper market in Washington: the median home is $737,100 versus $392,800 in Durham — 47% more expensive.
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
Washington
Income tax: N/A
Sales tax: N/A
Washington has cleaner air on average: 24.0 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 109.5).
Pick Washington if you prioritize higher median household income ($109,870/yr).
Pick Durham if you prioritize cheaper rent ($1,508/mo median).
Pick Washington if you prioritize cleaner air quality (avg AQI 24.0).
Is Durham cheaper than Washington?
Durham is cheaper overall, with a cost of living index of 91.9 versus 109.5 (US average = 100). That means prices run about 16% lower in Durham.
How much is rent in Durham vs Washington?
Median rent is $1,508/mo in Durham, NC and $1,954/mo in Washington, DC. Durham, NC has the lower rent by about 23%.
Which has higher salaries — Durham or Washington?
Median household income is $81,619 in Durham, NC and $109,870 in Washington, DC. Washington, DC 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?
Washington, DC has better air quality on average: 24.0 AQI versus 33.0 AQI. Both are EPA AirNow annual averages; lower is better.
Which has lower taxes — Durham or Washington?
State tax data is not yet available for one or both cities.
What salary do I need in Washington to match my Durham income?
To maintain the same purchasing power, a salary of $100,000 in Durham, NC is equivalent to roughly $119,162 in Washington, DC (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
