Cost of Living: Durham, NC vs Manchester, NH (2026)

Durham

North Carolina
105
VS

Manchester

New Hampshire
106

Durham and Manchester have a similar cost of living.

$1,412/mo ↓ 4%
Median Rent
$1,465/mo ↑ 4%
$79,234/yr ↑ 2%
Median Income
$77,415/yr ↓ 2%
$355,300 ↑ 6%
Home Value
$336,300 ↓ 5%
$1,434/mo ↓ 7%
Owner Costs
$1,548/mo ↑ 8%
288,465
Population
115,415

Tax Comparison

4.5%
Income Tax
0%
4.75%
State Sales Tax
0%
0.8%
Property Tax
1.86%

Affordability

21.4%
rent-to-income
Affordability
22.7%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Durham, NC and Manchester, NH, the overall cost of living indices are 105 and 106 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $53/month cheaper in Durham, saving renters about $636/year.

Median household income is $1,819/year higher in Durham. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Durham is $355,300 compared to $336,300 in Manchester.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

Durham vs Manchester — common questions

Is Durham or Manchester cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Durham is cheaper to live in with an index of 105 compared to 106 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Durham and Manchester?
Median rent in Durham is $1,412/month and in Manchester it's $1,465/month — a difference of $53/month.
Which city has higher income, Durham or Manchester?
Median household income is $79,234 in Durham and $77,415 in Manchester. Median household income is $1,819/year higher in Durham.
How do taxes compare between North Carolina and New Hampshire?
North Carolina has 4.5% income tax, 4.75% sales tax, and 0.8% property tax. New Hampshire has 0% income tax, 0% sales tax, and 1.86% property tax.
Should I move to Durham or Manchester?
It depends on your priorities. Durham has a cost index of 105 with median rent of $1,412/mo, while Manchester has a cost index of 106 with rent of $1,465/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View Durham details → View Manchester details →

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