Cost of Living: Durham, NC vs Clearwater, FL (2026)

Durham

North Carolina
105
VS

Clearwater

Florida
105

Durham and Clearwater have a similar cost of living.

$1,412/mo ↓ 8%
Median Rent
$1,539/mo ↑ 9%
$79,234/yr ↑ 23%
Median Income
$64,440/yr ↓ 19%
$355,300 ↑ 9%
Home Value
$326,100 ↓ 8%
$1,434/mo ↑ 2%
Owner Costs
$1,411/mo ↓ 2%
288,465
Population
117,075

Tax Comparison

4.5%
Income Tax
0%
4.75%
State Sales Tax
6.0%
0.8%
Property Tax
0.86%

Affordability

21.4%
rent-to-income
Affordability
28.7%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Durham, NC and Clearwater, FL, the overall cost of living indices are 105 and 105 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $127/month cheaper in Durham, saving renters about $1,524/year.

Median household income is $14,794/year higher in Durham. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Durham is $355,300 compared to $326,100 in Clearwater.

Florida has no state income tax, giving Clearwater residents a significant tax advantage over North Carolina's 4.5% rate.

Frequently Asked Questions

Durham vs Clearwater — common questions

Is Durham or Clearwater cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Clearwater is cheaper to live in with an index of 105 compared to 105 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Durham and Clearwater?
Median rent in Durham is $1,412/month and in Clearwater it's $1,539/month — a difference of $127/month.
Which city has higher income, Durham or Clearwater?
Median household income is $79,234 in Durham and $64,440 in Clearwater. Median household income is $14,794/year higher in Durham.
How do taxes compare between North Carolina and Florida?
North Carolina has 4.5% income tax, 4.75% sales tax, and 0.8% property tax. Florida has 0% income tax, 6.0% sales tax, and 0.86% property tax.
Should I move to Durham or Clearwater?
It depends on your priorities. Durham has a cost index of 105 with median rent of $1,412/mo, while Clearwater has a cost index of 105 with rent of $1,539/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View Durham details → View Clearwater details →

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