Cost of Living Comparison Between Durham, NC and New York, NY Cost of Living Comparison Between Durham, NC and New York, NY

🙂 Solo nomad: Durham, NC is 33% cheaper than New York, NY without rent, and 40.9% cheaper with rent.
🙂 Family of 3: Durham, NC is 33.3% cheaper than New York, NY without rent, and 50.4% cheaper with rent.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Durham, NC
New York, NY
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$15.14 $15.14
$29.68 $29.68
-48.99%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$70.9 $70.9
$144 $144
-50.85%
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$9.95 $9.95
$12.43 $12.43
-19.95%
Cappuccino
$4.6 $4.6
$5.84 $5.84
-21.23%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.15 $2.15
$3.26 $3.26
-34.05%
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.83 $1.83
$2.58 $2.58
-29.07%
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$5.11 $5.11
$8.24 $8.24
-37.99%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$6.53 $6.53
$11.86 $11.86
-44.94%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Durham, NC
New York, NY
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$0.86 $0.86
$1.56 $1.56
-44.87%
White Bread (500g)
$3.8 $3.8
$5.23 $5.23
-27.34%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$3.68 $3.68
$8.11 $8.11
-54.62%
Eggs
$4.41 $4.41
$7.25 $7.25
-39.17%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$9.23 $9.23
$17.08 $17.08
-45.96%
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$12.48 $12.48
$16.24 $16.24
-23.15%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$15.72 $15.72
$20.02 $20.02
-21.48%
Apples (1kg)
$5.53 $5.53
$7.49 $7.49
-26.17%
Banana (1kg)
$1.18 $1.18
$2.55 $2.55
-53.73%
Oranges (1kg)
$3.74 $3.74
$5.82 $5.82
-35.74%
Tomato (1kg)
$3.43 $3.43
$6.52 $6.52
-47.39%
Potato (1kg)
$2.57 $2.57
$3.72 $3.72
-30.91%
Onion (1kg)
$2.81 $2.81
$3.9 $3.9
-27.95%
Lettuce (1 head)
$1.9 $1.9
$3.07 $3.07
-38.11%
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$1.92 $1.92
$2.57 $2.57
-25.29%
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$10.15 $10.15
$19.21 $19.21
-47.16%
Wine (Bottle)
$15.17 $15.17
$17.79 $17.79
-14.73%
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$1.75 $1.75
$3.01 $3.01
-41.86%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$4.22 $4.22
$3.72 $3.72
13.44%
🚌 Getting Around
Durham, NC
New York, NY
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$1.99 $1.99
$2.92 $2.92
-31.85%
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$25.24 $25.24
$134 $134
-81.16%
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$2.02 $2.02
$5.13 $5.13
-60.62%
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$1.52 $1.52
$2.15 $2.15
-29.30%
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$22.79 $22.79
$41.57 $41.57
-45.18%
Gasoline (1 liter)
$0.87 $0.87
$0.95 $0.95
-8.42%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$28.5K $28.5K
$35K $35K
-18.54%
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$26.2K $26.2K
$27.7K $27.7K
-5.52%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Durham, NC
New York, NY
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$162 $162
$179 $179
-9.02%
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$53.6 $53.6
$60 $60
-10.61%
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$75.3 $75.3
$63.8 $63.8
17.99%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Durham, NC
New York, NY
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$40.25 $40.25
$141 $141
-71.40%
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
-
$63.9 $63.9
-
Cinema Ticket
$12.15 $12.15
$19.9 $19.9
-38.94%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Durham, NC
New York, NY
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$1,288 $1,288
$3,206 $3,206
-59.82%
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$31.2K $31.2K
$56.5K $56.5K
-44.70%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Durham, NC
New York, NY
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$52.2 $52.2
$65.7 $65.7
-20.58%
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$34.49 $34.49
$48.75 $48.75
-29.25%
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$79.5 $79.5
$111 $111
-28.50%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$119 $119
$172 $172
-30.91%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Durham, NC
New York, NY
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$1,875 $1,875
$4,165 $4,165
-54.98%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$1,425 $1,425
$2,653 $2,653
-46.31%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$2,525 $2,525
$8,412 $8,412
-69.98%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$2,308 $2,308
$5,277 $5,277
-56.27%
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$2,823 $2,823
$15.6K $15.6K
-81.93%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$2,665 $2,665
$11.2K $11.2K
-76.12%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Durham, NC
New York, NY
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$4,429 $4,429
$5,616 $5,616
-21.14%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
6.54
6.44
1.55%

Citycost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.

Last update for Durham, NC: October 27, 2025

Last update for New York, NY: October 28, 2025

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