Cost of Living: Durham, NC vs The Woodlands, TX (2026)

Durham

North Carolina
105
VS

The Woodlands

Texas
139

Durham is 24% cheaper than The Woodlands.

$1,412/mo ↓ 21%
Median Rent
$1,792/mo ↑ 27%
$79,234/yr ↓ 44%
Median Income
$141,353/yr ↑ 78%
$355,300 ↓ 26%
Home Value
$479,400 ↑ 35%
$1,434/mo ↓ 28%
Owner Costs
$2,005/mo ↑ 40%
288,465
Population
116,916

Tax Comparison

4.5%
Income Tax
0%
4.75%
State Sales Tax
6.25%
0.8%
Property Tax
1.6%

Affordability

21.4%
rent-to-income
Affordability
15.2%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Durham, NC and The Woodlands, TX, the overall cost of living indices are 105 and 139 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $380/month cheaper in Durham, saving renters about $4,560/year.

Median household income is $62,119/year higher in The Woodlands. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Durham is $355,300 compared to $479,400 in The Woodlands.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

Durham vs The Woodlands — common questions

Is Durham or The Woodlands cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Durham is cheaper to live in with an index of 105 compared to 139 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Durham and The Woodlands?
Median rent in Durham is $1,412/month and in The Woodlands it's $1,792/month — a difference of $380/month.
Which city has higher income, Durham or The Woodlands?
Median household income is $79,234 in Durham and $141,353 in The Woodlands. Median household income is $62,119/year higher in The Woodlands.
How do taxes compare between North Carolina and Texas?
North Carolina has 4.5% income tax, 4.75% sales tax, and 0.8% property tax. Texas has 0% income tax, 6.25% sales tax, and 1.6% property tax.
Should I move to Durham or The Woodlands?
It depends on your priorities. Durham has a cost index of 105 with median rent of $1,412/mo, while The Woodlands has a cost index of 139 with rent of $1,792/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View Durham details → View The Woodlands details →

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