Cost of living index
Durham, NC
97.6 / 100
Living in Durham, NC is 2.4% cheaper than the US average.
Overall prices
97.6
Housing / rent
98.9
vs US average
−2.4%
What it costs to live in Durham, NC
Durham, NC has an overall price level of 97.6 compared with the national average of 100, meaning everyday costs run about 2.4% lower than a typical US metro. Housing tells the sharper story: at 98.9 it is 1.1% below the national average. Because rent and mortgage payments are the biggest line in most household budgets, that housing figure is usually what you’ll feel most when you move here.
Common questions
Is Durham, NC an expensive place to live?
Durham, NC has an overall cost-of-living index of 97.6, where 100 is the US average. That makes it about 2.4% cheaper than the country as a whole.
Is housing expensive in Durham, NC?
Housing in Durham, NC scores 98.9 against a US average of 100 — roughly 1.1% below average. Housing is usually the largest single cost, so it drives most of the overall difference.
How does Durham, NC compare to the US average cost of living?
Overall prices in Durham, NC sit at 97.6 versus 100 for the US average, with housing at 98.9. Figures come from the US Bureau of Economic Analysis for 2024.