Durham vs Houston

Category-by-Category Breakdown

Index values shown. National average = 100. Lower is cheaper.

💰 Salary Equivalence

To maintain the same standard of living:

See exact take-home pay: North Carolina salaries · Texas salaries

Living in Durham vs Houston

Housing is typically the biggest factor in any cost-of-living comparison. Durham has a housing index of 104 while Houston sits at 89 (national average = 100). The median home in Durham costs $340,000 compared to $250,000 in Houston, a difference of $90,000. Monthly rent follows a similar pattern: $1,400 in Durham versus $1,400 in Houston.

Groceries and everyday expenses show a notable difference: Durham scores 100 while Houston scores 94.

Healthcare costs in Durham (108) are higher than Houston (96).

Median household income in Durham is $57,738 compared to $52,338 in Houston. When adjusted for cost of living, income goes further in Houston.

Relocating: Durham vs Houston

If you are considering a move between Durham (index: 101) and Houston (index: 96), the 5% cost difference has real implications for your budget. Houston is the more affordable option, but the right choice depends on your income, career opportunities, and lifestyle priorities.

Housing budget reality: Using the 28% rule (spending no more than 28% of gross income on housing), the median household in Durham can afford $1,347/month, while the median household in Houston can afford $1,221/month. With median homes at $340,000 in Durham versus $250,000 in Houston, both cities offer reasonable homeownership opportunities at median income.

Renting vs buying: At $1,400/month in Durham and $1,400/month in Houston, renters face similar costs in both cities. The rent-to-own ratio in each city determines whether renting or buying offers better value for your situation.

Income adjustment: A $75,000 salary goes further in Houston where costs are 4% below the national average. Before accepting a job in either city, use the salary equivalence data above to understand what you would need to earn to maintain your current standard of living.

Reading These Numbers: Durham (101) vs Houston (96)

The cost of living index uses 100 as the national average. Durham at 101 is 1% above the US average, while Houston at 96 is 4% below average. Both cities are close to the national average in overall costs.

Durham and Houston land within 5 points of each other on the composite index (101 vs 96), so the overall cost picture is similar. Housing shows the widest single-category margin at 104 versus 89, making it the area where residents will feel the most day-to-day price difference between Durham and Houston. Housing, the largest line item for most households, favors Houston with indices of 89 versus 104. Median home prices of $340,000 in Durham and $250,000 in Houston underscore this gap. Neither city is cheaper across the board: Durham has an edge in utilities and transportation, while Houston is more affordable for housing and groceries. Your actual savings depend on which categories consume the biggest share of your personal budget.

For renters: With median rents of $1,400/month in Durham and $1,400/month in Houston, the annual rent difference is approximately $0. Over a 5-year period, that compounds to $0 in savings by choosing the more affordable city.

For homebuyers: The $90,000 difference in median home prices between Durham and Houston translates to roughly $5,400 per month in mortgage payments at current rates. Factor this into your budget alongside property taxes and insurance, which also vary by location.

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