Cost of Living in Durham, NC
| Cost of Living in Durham, NC | Compared to State Average | Compared to National Average |
|---|---|---|
| Housing (Buy and Rent) | 26% higher | 8% higher |
| Utilities (Monthly) | 10% lower | 12% lower |
| Food | 3% higher | 2% higher |
| Healthcare | 0% | 6% higher |
| Transportation | 6% lower | 11% lower |
| Goods & Services | 3% lower | 3% lower |
The cost of living in Durham, NC is 5% higher than the state average and same as the national average. Durham, NC housing is 8% more expensive than the U.S average, while utilities are about 12% less pricey. When it comes to basic necessities such as food and clothing, groceries are around 2% pricier in Durham, NC than in the rest of the country, while clothing costs around 3% less .
Healthcare services such as doctor check-ups and dentistry cost 6% more here compared to the U.S. average. At the same time, non-necessary expenses such as entertainment and grooming services are 3% cheaper in Durham, NC.
Housing is the most significant expense for most American households. The cost of living in a certain city takes into account both the price of rent and the price of a home. The average monthly rent in Durham is $1,541, while home prices circle around $437,452.
Both owning and renting come with utility expenses. These costs include basic services such as energy and telecommunications. In Durham, energy bills cost around $191.72 per month.
Food is the most important necessity and its cost varies around the country. This section includes the prices of everyday foods such as produce, meat and dairy. A bottle of milk costs about $4.61 in Durham, a dozen eggs go for around $3.77 and a pound of potatoes circles around $5.05.
The benchmark for this category is based on the prices of family doctor visits and specialized services such as optometry. In Durham, an optometry check-up costs around $113.17, while a dentist appointment is priced $149.50 on average.
Transportation expenses depend on multiple factors, with fuel being the most important. A gallon of gas is priced around $3.36 in Durham, while getting your tires balanced will run you about $50.00.
The cost of clothing tells you how much more or less money you need to buy basic items such as jeans, shirts or slacks in a new city. A men's shirt costs around $31.38 here. Meanwhile, a pair of women's slacks will set you back around $34.50.
The cost of entertainment and everyday services is based on common expenses in each category. For a movie ticket in Durham, you should budget around $12.67 a month. When it comes to personal services, a haircut usually goes for $26.10, while dry cleaning costs about $18.30.
The cost of living also takes median household income into account, so you can estimate how much more or less you could be earning in a new city by comparing it to the income in your current area. In Durham, the median household income is $79,234.