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

Houston

Texas
88
VS

Durham

North Carolina
105

Houston is 16% cheaper than Durham.

$1,313/mo ↓ 7%
Median Rent
$1,412/mo ↑ 8%
$62,894/yr ↓ 21%
Median Income
$79,234/yr ↑ 26%
$253,400 ↓ 29%
Home Value
$355,300 ↑ 40%
$1,316/mo ↓ 8%
Owner Costs
$1,434/mo ↑ 9%
2,300,419
Population
288,465

Tax Comparison

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

Affordability

25.1%
rent-to-income
Affordability
21.4%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Houston, TX and Durham, NC, the overall cost of living indices are 88 and 105 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $99/month cheaper in Houston, saving renters about $1,188/year.

Median household income is $16,340/year higher in Durham. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Houston is $253,400 compared to $355,300 in Durham.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

Houston vs Durham — common questions

Is Houston or Durham cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Houston is cheaper to live in with an index of 88 compared to 105 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Houston and Durham?
Median rent in Houston is $1,313/month and in Durham it's $1,412/month — a difference of $99/month.
Which city has higher income, Houston or Durham?
Median household income is $62,894 in Houston and $79,234 in Durham. Median household income is $16,340/year higher in Durham.
How do taxes compare between Texas and North Carolina?
Texas has 0% income tax, 6.25% sales tax, and 1.6% property tax. North Carolina has 4.5% income tax, 4.75% sales tax, and 0.8% property tax.
Should I move to Houston or Durham?
It depends on your priorities. Houston has a cost index of 88 with median rent of $1,313/mo, while Durham has a cost index of 105 with rent of $1,412/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View Houston details → View Durham details →

More Comparisons

Other cost of living comparisons for Houston and Durham

Houston vs. Chicago Houston vs. Phoenix Houston vs. Los Angeles Houston vs. Philadelphia Houston vs. New York Houston vs. San Antonio Durham vs. Anchorage Durham vs. Plano Durham vs. Jersey City Durham vs. Chandler Durham vs. Lincoln Durham vs. Buffalo