Cost of Living: San Francisco, CA vs Durham, NC (2026)

San Francisco

California
267
VS

Durham

North Carolina
105

San Francisco is 154% more expensive than Durham.

$2,419/mo ↑ 71%
Median Rent
$1,412/mo ↓ 42%
$141,446/yr ↑ 79%
Median Income
$79,234/yr ↓ 44%
$1,380,500 ↑ 289%
Home Value
$355,300 ↓ 74%
$2,620/mo ↑ 83%
Owner Costs
$1,434/mo ↓ 45%
836,321
Population
288,465

Tax Comparison

13.3%
Income Tax
4.5%
7.25%
State Sales Tax
4.75%
0.71%
Property Tax
0.8%

Affordability

20.5%
rent-to-income
Affordability
21.4%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing San Francisco, CA and Durham, NC, the overall cost of living indices are 267 and 105 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $1,007/month cheaper in Durham, saving renters about $12,084/year.

Median household income is $62,212/year higher in San Francisco. Home values also differ significantly — the median in San Francisco is $1,380,500 compared to $355,300 in Durham.

North Carolina has a lower income tax rate, making Durham slightly more tax-friendly.

Frequently Asked Questions

San Francisco vs Durham — common questions

Is San Francisco or Durham cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Durham is cheaper to live in with an index of 105 compared to 267 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between San Francisco and Durham?
Median rent in San Francisco is $2,419/month and in Durham it's $1,412/month — a difference of $1,007/month.
Which city has higher income, San Francisco or Durham?
Median household income is $141,446 in San Francisco and $79,234 in Durham. Median household income is $62,212/year higher in San Francisco.
How do taxes compare between California and North Carolina?
California has 13.3% income tax, 7.25% sales tax, and 0.71% property tax. North Carolina has 4.5% income tax, 4.75% sales tax, and 0.8% property tax.
Should I move to San Francisco or Durham?
It depends on your priorities. San Francisco has a cost index of 267 with median rent of $2,419/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 San Francisco details → View Durham details →

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