Moving from Durham to Cleveland (2026)
Cleveland has a COL index of 85 vs 102 for Durham (100 = US average). You'd pay about 17% less for the same lifestyle.
Save ~$502/mo
on core expenses · $75K salary baseline
Key differences
COL index
10285
100 = US avg
1BR rent
$1,750$1,250
per month
State tax
4.5%3.5%
income tax
Take-home at $75K
$4,459$4,522
per month
Salary needed in Cleveland to match your Durham lifestyle
Based on the 17% cost of living decrease between the two cities.
| Your salary in Durham | Equivalent in Cleveland |
|---|---|
| $40K | $33,333 |
| $50K | $41,667 |
| $60K | $50,000 |
| $75K | $62,500 |
| $80K | $66,667 |
| $100K | $83,333 |
| $120K | $100,000 |
| $150K | $125,000 |
Monthly budget at $75K — Durham vs Cleveland
| Expense | Durham | Cleveland |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly take-home | $4,459 | $4,522 |
| 1BR rent | $1,750 | $1,250 |
| Groceries | $372 | $369 |
| Transport | $82 | $72 |
| Utilities | $155 | $168 |
| Internet | $62 | $60 |
| Left after essentials | $2,038 | $2,603 |
Frequently asked questions
Is Cleveland cheaper than Durham?
Yes. Cleveland has a cost of living index of 85 vs 102 for Durham (100 = US average). That's about 17% cheaper.
How much will I save moving from Durham to Cleveland?
On a $75K salary, moving from Durham to Cleveland could save roughly $502/month on core expenses. That's ~$6,024/year.
What salary do I need in Cleveland to match my Durham lifestyle?
To maintain the same purchasing power as $75,000 in Durham, you'd need roughly $62,500/year in Cleveland. This is based on the overall COL index difference between the two cities.
Moving from Cleveland to DurhamDurham vs Cleveland — full comparisonDurham cost of livingCleveland cost of living
Estimates based on Q1 2026 COL index and market data. Budget uses simplified federal/state tax rates at $75K. Zillow · BLS · Numbeo · For general guidance only