Durham vs Phoenix

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 · Arizona salaries

Living in Durham vs Phoenix

Housing is typically the biggest factor in any cost-of-living comparison. Durham has a housing index of 104 while Phoenix sits at 102 (national average = 100). The median home in Durham costs $340,000 compared to $350,000 in Phoenix, a difference of $10,000. Monthly rent follows a similar pattern: $1,400 in Durham versus $1,400 in Phoenix.

Groceries and everyday expenses show a narrower gap: Durham scores 100 while Phoenix scores 99. Both cities are close to the national average for grocery costs.

Healthcare costs in Durham (108) are higher than Phoenix (95).

Median household income in Durham is $57,738 compared to $57,459 in Phoenix. When adjusted for cost of living, purchasing power is similar in both cities.

Relocating: Durham vs Phoenix

If you are considering a move between Durham (index: 101) and Phoenix (index: 100), the 1% cost difference has real implications for your budget. Phoenix 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 Phoenix can afford $1,341/month. With median homes at $340,000 in Durham versus $350,000 in Phoenix, homeownership requires above-median income in the pricier market.

Renting vs buying: At $1,400/month in Durham and $1,400/month in Phoenix, 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 Phoenix (100)

The cost of living index uses 100 as the national average. Durham at 101 is 1% above the US average, while Phoenix at 100 is 0% below average. Both cities are close to the national average in overall costs.

Durham and Phoenix land within 1 points of each other on the composite index (101 vs 100), so the overall cost picture is similar. Healthcare shows the widest single-category margin at 108 versus 95, making it the area where residents will feel the most day-to-day price difference between Durham and Phoenix. Housing costs are comparable between the two metros, with Durham at 104 and Phoenix at 102 on the housing sub-index and median home prices of $340,000 and $350,000 respectively. Neither city is cheaper across the board: Durham has an edge in utilities and transportation, while Phoenix 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 Phoenix, 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 $10,000 difference in median home prices between Durham and Phoenix translates to roughly $600 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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