Durham wins overall by ~1% (COL index)
Cost of living: Tempe vs Durham (2026)
A $70,000 salary in Tempe buys roughly what $69,320 does in Durham (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
+$2,865/yr
Favoring Tempe for this income & household (illustrative).
With the extra $239/mo, you could pay down a $15,000 card balance in ~63 months and still keep ~$29/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 | Tempe Arizona | Durham North Carolina | Who wins | Your impact at $70K · 1br · 1 car |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 🏠 HousingQ1 2026 | ||||
| Studio rent/mo | $1,250Better | $1,400 | Tempe wins +$150/mo | $1,800/yr saves in Tempe |
| 1BR rent/mo | $1,600Better | $1,750 | Tempe wins +$150/mo | $1,800/yr saves in Tempe |
| 2BR rent/mo | $2,100Better | $2,300 | Tempe wins +$200/mo | $2,400/yr saves in Tempe |
| Median home price | $430K | $390KBetter | Durham wins −$40K | — |
| 🛒 Food & GroceriesQ1 2026 | ||||
| Groceries index (100 = US avg) | 100 | 98Better | Durham wins -2 | — |
| Budget meal (1 person) | $14Better | $14 | — | — |
| Mid-range dinner (2) | $58Better | $58 | — | — |
| 🚌 TransportationQ1 2026 | ||||
| Monthly transit pass/mo | $55Wins | $82 | Tempe wins +$27/mo | $324/yr saves in Tempe |
| Gas price/gal | $3.20 | $3.10Better | Durham wins −$0.10 | — |
| Car insurance/mo | $158 | $148Better | Durham wins −$10/mo | — |
| ⚡ UtilitiesQ1 2026 | ||||
| Monthly utilities bundle/mo | $210 | $155Wins | Durham wins −$55/mo | $660/yr saves in Durham |
| Internet/mo | $62Better | $62 | — | — |
| 💰 Income & TaxesQ1 2026 | ||||
| Median household income/yr | $68K | $72KBetter | Durham wins +$4K more/yr | — |
| State income tax% | 2.5%Wins | 4.5% | Tempe wins +2.0 pp | $1,400/yr saves in Tempe |
| Sales tax (combined)% | 8.6% | 7.5%Wins | Durham wins -1.1 pp | — |
| 🎬 LeisureQ1 2026 | ||||
| Movie ticket | $15.00Better | $15.00 | — | — |
| Gym membership/mo | $40Better | $42 | Tempe wins +$2/mo | — |
| Beer at restaurant | $6.50Better | $6.50 | — | — |
| 📊 OverviewQ1 2026 | ||||
| Overall COL index (100 = US avg) | 103 | 102Better | Durham wins -1 | — |
| Walk score / 100 | 46Wins | 36 | Tempe wins -10 more/yr | — |
Complete the Picture
While you’re comparing — don’t leave money on the table.
Tax-smart rewards
Turn ~$1,404/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
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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
Is Tempe cheaper than Durham?
No. Durham is 1% cheaper than Tempe based on overall cost of living indices (102 vs 103, where 100 = US average).
What is the average rent in Tempe vs Durham?
As of Q1 2026, the median 1-bedroom rent in Tempe is $1,600/month and in Durham is $1,750/month. Tempe is cheaper by 9%.
How much do I need to earn in Durham to match a $75,000 salary in Tempe?
To maintain a similar lifestyle, you would need approximately $74,272/year in Durham to match a $75,000 salary in Tempe. This estimate is based on overall cost of living indices and does not account for individual spending patterns.
Which city has lower taxes — Tempe or Durham?
Tempe has the lower state income tax rate at 2.5% vs 4.5%. The difference is 2.0 percentage points. Note that sales tax and local taxes also vary — see the full breakdown in the table above.
Is it worth moving from Tempe to Durham?
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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