Durham vs Orlando — side-by-side
Cost of living: Durham vs Orlando (2026)
A $64,500 salary in Durham buys roughly what $64,500 does in Orlando (COL-adjusted). Your real trade-offs are taxes, rent, and day-to-day prices — we break them down and personalize below.
Your move simulator
Tell us about your household — we calculate your real annual savings.
Estimated annual swing
−$712/yr
Favoring Orlando for this income & household (illustrative).
With an extra $59/mo in Orlando, you could max a Roth IRA contribution faster and still grow your savings buffer.
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 | Orlando Florida | Who wins | Your impact at $65K · 1br · 1 car |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 🏠 HousingQ1 2026 | ||||
| Studio rent/mo | $1,400Wins | $1,600 | Durham wins +$200/mo | $2,400/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 | $2,500 | Durham wins +$200/mo | $2,400/yr saves in Durham |
| Median home price | $390K | $370KBetter | Orlando wins −$20K | — |
| 🛒 Food & GroceriesQ1 2026 | ||||
| Groceries index (100 = US avg) | 98Better | 100 | Durham wins +2 | — |
| Budget meal (1 person) | $14Better | $14 | — | — |
| Mid-range dinner (2) | $58Better | $58 | — | — |
| 🚌 TransportationQ1 2026 | ||||
| Monthly transit pass/mo | $82 | $65Wins | Orlando wins −$17/mo | — |
| Gas price/gal | $3.10Better | $3.20 | Durham wins +$0.10 | — |
| Car insurance/mo | $148Wins | $205 | Durham wins +$57/mo | $684/yr saves in Durham |
| ⚡ UtilitiesQ1 2026 | ||||
| Monthly utilities bundle/mo | $155Wins | $195 | Durham wins +$40/mo | $480/yr saves in Durham |
| Internet/mo | $62Better | $65 | Durham wins +$3/mo | — |
| 💰 Income & TaxesQ1 2026 | ||||
| Median household income/yr | $72KWins | $57K | Durham wins −$15K more/yr | — |
| State income tax% | 4.5% | 0.0%Wins | Orlando wins -4.5 pp | $2,903/yr saves in Orlando |
| Sales tax (combined)% | 7.5% | 6.5%Wins | Orlando wins -1.0 pp | — |
| 🎬 LeisureQ1 2026 | ||||
| Movie ticket | $15.00Better | $15.00 | — | — |
| Gym membership/mo | $42 | $38Better | Orlando wins −$4/mo | — |
| Beer at restaurant | $6.50 | $6.00Better | Orlando wins −$0.50 | — |
| 📊 OverviewQ1 2026 | ||||
| Overall COL index (100 = US avg) | 102Better | 102 | — | — |
| Walk score / 100 | 36Better | 34 | Durham wins -2 more/yr | — |
Complete the Picture
While you’re comparing — don’t leave money on the table.
Tax-smart rewards
Turn ~$2,904/yr tax difference into cash back
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
Ready to move?
Open the full interactive tool to add up to 5 cities, drop in your salary, and see rent burden.
Open full interactive toolComplete the Picture
While you’re comparing — don’t leave money on the table.
If cash is tight
Knock down high-interest debt first
A move has upfront costs — a balance transfer or personal loan can lower APR while you settle in.
If you're saving big
Invest the surplus on autopilot
Brokerages and robo-advisors help you dollar-cost average into the market with your new slack.
Frequently asked questions
What is the average rent in Durham vs Orlando?
As of Q1 2026, the median 1-bedroom rent in Durham is $1,750/month and in Orlando is $1,900/month. Durham is cheaper by 8%.
How much do I need to earn in Orlando to match a $75,000 salary in Durham?
To maintain a similar lifestyle, you would need approximately $75,000/year in Orlando 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 Orlando?
Orlando has the lower state income tax rate at 0% vs 4.5%. Orlando has no state income tax at all, which can save thousands of dollars per year depending on your income. Note that sales tax and local taxes also vary — see the full breakdown in the table above.
Is it worth moving from Durham to Orlando?
It depends on your priorities. Both cities have similar overall costs. 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 ↔ Orlando
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