Durham wins overall by ~5% (COL index)
Cost of living: Durham vs Chicago (2026)
A $69,500 salary in Durham buys roughly what $72,907 does in Chicago (COL-adjusted). Your real trade-offs are taxes, rent, and day-to-day prices — we break them down and personalize below.
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Tell us about your household — we calculate your real annual savings.
Estimated annual swing
+$2,702/yr
Favoring Durham for this income & household (illustrative).
With the extra $225/mo, you could pay down a $15,000 card balance in ~67 months and still keep ~$27/mo for dining out.
Studio rent/mo
1BR rent/mo
2BR rent/mo
Median home price
Groceries index (100 = US avg)
Budget meal (1 person)
Mid-range dinner (2)
Monthly transit pass/mo
Gas price/gal
Car insurance/mo
Monthly utilities bundle/mo
Internet/mo
Median household income/yr
State income tax%
Sales tax (combined)%
Movie ticket
Gym membership/mo
Beer at restaurant
Overall COL index (100 = US avg)
Walk score / 100
| Category | Durham North Carolina | Chicago Illinois | Who wins | Your impact at $70K · 1br · 1 car |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 🏠 HousingQ1 2026 | ||||
| Studio rent/mo | $1,400Better | $1,500 | Durham wins +$100/mo | $1,200/yr saves in Durham |
| 1BR rent/mo | $1,750Better | $1,900 | Durham wins +$150/mo | $1,800/yr saves in Durham |
| 2BR rent/mo | $2,300Better | $2,600 | Durham wins +$300/mo | $3,600/yr saves in Durham |
| Median home price | $390K | $360KBetter | Chicago wins −$30K | — |
| 🛒 Food & GroceriesQ1 2026 | ||||
| Groceries index (100 = US avg) | 98Better | 102 | Durham wins +4 | — |
| Budget meal (1 person) | $14Better | $15 | Durham wins +$1/mo | — |
| Mid-range dinner (2) | $58Better | $60 | Durham wins +$2/mo | — |
| 🚌 TransportationQ1 2026 | ||||
| Monthly transit pass/mo | $82Wins | $105 | Durham wins +$23/mo | $276/yr saves in Durham |
| Gas price/gal | $3.10Better | $3.40 | Durham wins +$0.30 | — |
| Car insurance/mo | $148Better | $165 | Durham wins +$17/mo | — |
| ⚡ UtilitiesQ1 2026 | ||||
| Monthly utilities bundle/mo | $155Better | $165 | Durham wins +$10/mo | — |
| Internet/mo | $62Better | $65 | Durham wins +$3/mo | — |
| 💰 Income & TaxesQ1 2026 | ||||
| Median household income/yr | $72KBetter | $67K | Durham wins −$5K more/yr | — |
| State income tax% | 4.5%Better | 4.9% | Durham wins +0.4 pp | $278/yr saves in Durham |
| Sales tax (combined)% | 7.5%Wins | 10.3% | Durham wins +2.8 pp | — |
| 🎬 LeisureQ1 2026 | ||||
| Movie ticket | $15.00Better | $16.00 | Durham wins +$1.00 | — |
| Gym membership/mo | $42Better | $45 | Durham wins +$3/mo | — |
| Beer at restaurant | $6.50Better | $7.00 | Durham wins +$0.50 | — |
| 📊 OverviewQ1 2026 | ||||
| Overall COL index (100 = US avg) | 102Better | 107 | Durham wins +5 | — |
| Walk score / 100 | 36 | 78Wins | Chicago wins +42 more/yr | — |
Complete the Picture
While you’re comparing — don’t leave money on the table.
Tax-smart rewards
Maximize everyday spend in your new city
Durham fits your move math — cash-back cards stack on groceries, gas, and dining you're already doing.
Home + auto bundle
New state — new insurance rates
Bundling often saves hundreds/yr. Compare before you sign a lease in Durham.
High-yield savings
Grow your move fund while you shop for homes
Don't let relocation cash sit at 0% — put it to work until closing day.
More ways to compare this move
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Frequently asked questions
Is Durham cheaper than Chicago?
Yes. Durham is 5% cheaper than Chicago based on overall cost of living indices (102 vs 107, where 100 = US average).
What is the average rent in Durham vs Chicago?
As of Q1 2026, the median 1-bedroom rent in Durham is $1,750/month and in Chicago is $1,900/month. Durham is cheaper by 8%.
How much do I need to earn in Chicago to match a $75,000 salary in Durham?
To maintain a similar lifestyle, you would need approximately $78,676/year in Chicago to match a $75,000 salary in Durham. This estimate is based on overall cost of living indices and does not account for individual spending patterns.
Which city has lower taxes — Durham or Chicago?
Durham has the lower state income tax rate at 4.5% vs 4.9%. The difference is 0.4 percentage points. Note that sales tax and local taxes also vary — see the full breakdown in the table above.
Is it worth moving from Durham to Chicago?
It depends on your priorities. Durham offers lower overall costs, but both cities have different job markets, weather, and lifestyle trade-offs. Use the comparison table above to evaluate rent, groceries, transportation, and income potential side by side based on your specific budget.
Data sourced from Zillow, BLS, Numbeo, Tax Foundation, and US Census ACS · Updated Q1 2026 · For general guidance only
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Salary equivalent: Durham ↔ Chicago
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