Moving from Durham to Raleigh (2026)
Raleigh has a COL index of 101 vs 102 for Durham (100 = US average). You'd pay about 1% less for the same lifestyle.
Save ~$76/mo
on core expenses · $75K salary baseline
Key differences
COL index
102101
100 = US avg
1BR rent
$1,750$1,700
per month
State tax
4.5%4.5%
income tax
Take-home at $75K
$4,459$4,459
per month
Salary needed in Raleigh to match your Durham lifestyle
Based on the 1% cost of living decrease between the two cities.
| Your salary in Durham | Equivalent in Raleigh |
|---|---|
| $40K | $39,608 |
| $50K | $49,510 |
| $60K | $59,412 |
| $75K | $74,265 |
| $80K | $79,216 |
| $100K | $99,020 |
| $120K | $118,824 |
| $150K | $148,529 |
Monthly budget at $75K — Durham vs Raleigh
| Expense | Durham | Raleigh |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly take-home | $4,459 | $4,459 |
| 1BR rent | $1,750 | $1,700 |
| Groceries | $372 | $365 |
| Transport | $82 | $70 |
| Utilities | $155 | $150 |
| Internet | $62 | $60 |
| Left after essentials | $2,038 | $2,114 |
Frequently asked questions
Is Raleigh cheaper than Durham?
Yes. Raleigh has a cost of living index of 101 vs 102 for Durham (100 = US average). That's about 1% cheaper.
How much will I save moving from Durham to Raleigh?
On a $75K salary, moving from Durham to Raleigh could save roughly $76/month on core expenses. That's ~$912/year.
What salary do I need in Raleigh to match my Durham lifestyle?
To maintain the same purchasing power as $75,000 in Durham, you'd need roughly $74,265/year in Raleigh. This is based on the overall COL index difference between the two cities.
Moving from Raleigh to DurhamDurham vs Raleigh — full comparisonDurham cost of livingRaleigh 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