Durham vs Nashville

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 · Tennessee salaries

Living in Durham vs Nashville

Housing is typically the biggest factor in any cost-of-living comparison. Durham has a housing index of 104 while Nashville sits at 108 (national average = 100). The median home in Durham costs $340,000 compared to $380,000 in Nashville, a difference of $40,000. Monthly rent follows a similar pattern: $1,400 in Durham versus $1,600 in Nashville.

Groceries and everyday expenses show a narrower gap: Durham scores 100 while Nashville scores 96. Both cities are close to the national average for grocery costs.

Healthcare costs in Durham (108) are higher than Nashville (98).

Median household income in Durham is $57,738 compared to $59,828 in Nashville. When adjusted for cost of living, purchasing power is similar in both cities.

Relocating: Durham vs Nashville

If you are considering a move between Durham (index: 101) and Nashville (index: 102), the 1% cost difference has real implications for your budget. Durham 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 Nashville can afford $1,396/month. With median homes at $340,000 in Durham versus $380,000 in Nashville, homeownership requires above-median income in the pricier market.

Renting vs buying: At $1,400/month in Durham and $1,600/month in Nashville, 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 about equally far in both cities. 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 Nashville (102)

The cost of living index uses 100 as the national average. Durham at 101 is 1% above the US average, while Nashville at 102 is 2% above average. Both cities are close to the national average in overall costs.

Durham and Nashville land within 1 points of each other on the composite index (101 vs 102), so the overall cost picture is similar. Healthcare shows the widest single-category margin at 108 versus 98, making it the area where residents will feel the most day-to-day price difference between Durham and Nashville. Housing costs are comparable between the two metros, with Durham at 104 and Nashville at 108 on the housing sub-index and median home prices of $340,000 and $380,000 respectively. Neither city is cheaper across the board: Durham has an edge in housing, while Nashville is more affordable for groceries and utilities. 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 $1,600/month in Nashville, the annual rent difference is approximately $2,400. Over a 5-year period, that compounds to $12,000 in savings by choosing the more affordable city.

For homebuyers: The $40,000 difference in median home prices between Durham and Nashville translates to roughly $2,400 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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