Raleigh wins overall by ~1% (COL index)
Cost of living: Raleigh vs Durham (2026)
A $71,000 salary in Raleigh buys roughly what $71,703 does in Durham (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
+$783/yr
Favoring Raleigh for this income & household (illustrative).
With an extra $65/mo in Raleigh, 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 | Raleigh North Carolina | Durham North Carolina | Who wins | Your impact at $71K · 1br · 1 car |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 🏠 HousingQ1 2026 | ||||
| Studio rent/mo | $1,400Better | $1,400 | — | — |
| 1BR rent/mo | $1,700Better | $1,750 | Raleigh wins +$50/mo | $600/yr saves in Raleigh |
| 2BR rent/mo | $2,200Better | $2,300 | Raleigh wins +$100/mo | $1,200/yr saves in Raleigh |
| Median home price | $380KBetter | $390K | Raleigh wins +$10K | — |
| 🛒 Food & GroceriesQ1 2026 | ||||
| Groceries index (100 = US avg) | 96Better | 98 | Raleigh wins +2 | — |
| Budget meal (1 person) | $13Better | $14 | Raleigh wins +$1/mo | — |
| Mid-range dinner (2) | $55Better | $58 | Raleigh wins +$3/mo | — |
| 🚌 TransportationQ1 2026 | ||||
| Monthly transit pass/mo | $70Wins | $82 | Raleigh wins +$12/mo | — |
| Gas price/gal | $3.10Better | $3.10 | — | — |
| Car insurance/mo | $145Better | $148 | Raleigh wins +$3/mo | — |
| ⚡ UtilitiesQ1 2026 | ||||
| Monthly utilities bundle/mo | $150Better | $155 | Raleigh wins +$5/mo | — |
| Internet/mo | $60Better | $62 | Raleigh wins +$2/mo | — |
| 💰 Income & TaxesQ1 2026 | ||||
| Median household income/yr | $70K | $72KBetter | Durham wins +$2K more/yr | — |
| State income tax% | 4.5%Better | 4.5% | — | — |
| Sales tax (combined)% | 7.5%Better | 7.5% | — | — |
| 🎬 LeisureQ1 2026 | ||||
| Movie ticket | $15.00Better | $15.00 | — | — |
| Gym membership/mo | $40Better | $42 | Raleigh wins +$2/mo | — |
| Beer at restaurant | $6.00Better | $6.50 | Raleigh wins +$0.50 | — |
| 📊 OverviewQ1 2026 | ||||
| Overall COL index (100 = US avg) | 101Better | 102 | Raleigh wins +1 | — |
| Walk score / 100 | 26 | 36Wins | Durham wins +10 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
Raleigh 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 Raleigh.
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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While you’re comparing — don’t leave money on the table.
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Frequently asked questions
Is Raleigh cheaper than Durham?
Yes. Raleigh is 1% cheaper than Durham based on overall cost of living indices (101 vs 102, where 100 = US average).
What is the average rent in Raleigh vs Durham?
As of Q1 2026, the median 1-bedroom rent in Raleigh is $1,700/month and in Durham is $1,750/month. Raleigh is cheaper by 3%.
How much do I need to earn in Durham to match a $75,000 salary in Raleigh?
To maintain a similar lifestyle, you would need approximately $75,743/year in Durham to match a $75,000 salary in Raleigh. This estimate is based on overall cost of living indices and does not account for individual spending patterns.
Which city has lower taxes — Raleigh or Durham?
Durham has the lower state income tax rate at 4.5% vs 4.5%. The difference is 0.0 percentage points. Note that sales tax and local taxes also vary — see the full breakdown in the table above.
Is it worth moving from Raleigh to Durham?
It depends on your priorities. Raleigh 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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