| Index | Durham | New Hampshire | National |
| Cost of living | 127 | 110 | 100 |
| Groceries | 103 | 103 | 100 |
| Health care | 103 | 104 | 100 |
| Housing | 179 | 125 | 100 |
| Transportation | 104 | 103 | 100 |
| Utilities | 107 | 106 | 100 |
| Lifestyle & Entertainment | 108 | 103 | 100 |
| Household Items | 101 | 102 | 100 |
| Education & Childcare | 108 | 105 | 100 |
Are you thinking about relocating, but curious about the potential cost of living in Durham? Is it more expensive or more affordable than average? Based on the most recent report, the cost of living in Durham stands at 127, making it 27% higher than the national average. The cost of living directly affects the affordability of one's desired lifestyle. Knowing the cost of housing, transportation, groceries and other essentials in the new area allows people to gauge whether they can maintain their preferred standard of living.
The cost of living in Durham is among the highest in the country, making it a very expensive place to live. Only a small fraction of regions boast a cost of living that is at least 20% higher than the national average, and regrettably, Durham falls into this category, which may not be suitable for those seeking an economically favorable living environment.
Housing costs make up a big chunk of the cost of living in Durham, and they usually eat into a large part of your take-home pay. Unfortunately, in this area, both buying a home and renting one costs 78.9% more than the average city. This includes stuff like home prices, rent, mortgage rates, and insurance.
Is Durham affordable? This is a pivotal question, especially when mulling over a move, as affordability carries substantial weight in your decision-making process. Factors such as the cost of living index (discussed earlier), housing expenses and income levels all contribute to a location's affordability. For instance, in Durham, the median home price is 109% higher than the national average and monthly rent prices are 8.6% higher than the typical rates. Additionally, the median income levels play a role in affordability, with Durham boasting a median household income of $90,429, 11.2% higher than the national average.
Groceries: Over the past 2-3 years, grocery expenses have experienced substantial upward trends. In certain markets, food prices have surged by over 20% during this period, while others have witnessed more modest increases. These fluctuations in food costs can wield significant influence over the overall cost of living in a given region. In Durham, the groceries index is 3.4% higher than the national average.
Utilities: Similar to the prices of any other goods or services, utility expenditures can exhibit substantial variability, influenced by factors such as climate, energy sources accessibility, geographical location and state regulations. Costs related to electricity, water, heating, and waste disposal can fluctuate, whether higher or lower, contingent on the city or state. In Durham, the utilities index is 6.9% higher than the national average.
Housing: When everyone's vying for homes in popular areas, it drives up property prices and rents, making the overall cost of living surge. On the flip side, in less sought-after locales, where housing demand is low, prices tend to dip, resulting in a more economical cost of living. In Durham, the housing index comes in at 78.9% higher than the national average.
The cost of living estimates displayed for Durham are modeled using a U.S. average baseline of 100, helping provide a useful comparison of local living expenses. Housing calculations include U.S. Census home price and rental data, while all other values are AI-assisted estimates based on regional cost patterns, climate, transportation, and everyday spending expectations. These values are intended for directional comparisons across cities.
| Cost of living index | |
| Groceries index | |
| Health care index | |
| Housing index | |
| Transportation index | |
| Utilities index | |
| Lifestyle index | |
| Household index | |
| Educare index |
| Median Income | Per Year | Per Month | Max Budget (28% DTI) | Max Budget (36% DTI) |
| Owners | $253,375 | $21,115 | $5,912 | $7,602 |
| Renters | $42,635 | $3,553 | $995 | $1,279 |
| State | General Sales Tax | With Max Surtax |
| New Hampshire | 0% | 0% |
| State | Income Tax (Low) | Income Tax (High) |
| New Hampshire | 4% | 4% |
| City | Population | Cost of Living Index | National Avg. |
| Rochester, NH | 31,988 | 104 | 3.8% |
| Berwick, ME | 2,058 | 106 | 5.7% |
| North Berwick, ME | 1,778 | 108 | 8.3% |
| Somersworth, NH | 12,381 | 108 | 8.5% |
| Raymond, NH | 3,923 | 110 | 9.6% |
| Durham, NH | 12,464 | 127 | 26.8% |
| City | Population | Cost of Living Index | National Avg. |
| North Merrick, NY | 12,464 | 160 | 59.8% |
| Coldwater, MI | 12,463 | 84 | 15.7% |
| Kingsburg, CA | 12,458 | 123 | 23.2% |
| Somerville, NJ | 12,458 | 131 | 31.5% |
| Amherst, OH | 12,470 | 93 | 7.0% |
| Durham, NH | 12,464 | 127 | 26.8% |
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