Cost of Living Comparison Between Durham, NC and Seattle, WA Cost of Living Comparison Between Durham, NC and Seattle, WA

๐Ÿ™‚ Solo nomad: Durham, NC is 24.4% cheaper than Seattle, WA without rent, and 27.7% cheaper with rent.
๐Ÿ™‚ Family of 3: Durham, NC is 25% cheaper than Seattle, WA without rent, and 36.4% cheaper with rent.
Currency
๐Ÿฝ Eating Out
Durham, NC
Seattle, WA
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$15.14 $15.14
$25.11 $25.11
-39.71%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$70.9 $70.9
$118 $118
-40.15%
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$9.95 $9.95
$13.84 $13.84
-28.11%
Cappuccino
$4.6 $4.6
$5.8 $5.8
-20.69%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.15 $2.15
$2.95 $2.95
-27.12%
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.83 $1.83
$2.51 $2.51
-27.09%
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$5.11 $5.11
$7.81 $7.81
-34.57%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$6.53 $6.53
$7.84 $7.84
-16.71%
๐Ÿ›’ Groceries & Markets
Durham, NC
Seattle, WA
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$0.86 $0.86
$1.34 $1.34
-35.82%
White Bread (500g)
$3.8 $3.8
$4.98 $4.98
-23.69%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$3.68 $3.68
$5.35 $5.35
-31.21%
Eggs
$4.41 $4.41
$6.91 $6.91
-36.18%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$9.23 $9.23
$24.8 $24.8
-62.78%
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$12.48 $12.48
$15.74 $15.74
-20.71%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$15.72 $15.72
$20.84 $20.84
-24.57%
Apples (1kg)
$5.53 $5.53
$6.05 $6.05
-8.60%
Banana (1kg)
$1.18 $1.18
$2.75 $2.75
-57.09%
Oranges (1kg)
$3.74 $3.74
$5.47 $5.47
-31.63%
Tomato (1kg)
$3.43 $3.43
$6.45 $6.45
-46.82%
Potato (1kg)
$2.57 $2.57
$3.11 $3.11
-17.36%
Onion (1kg)
$2.81 $2.81
$3.69 $3.69
-23.85%
Lettuce (1 head)
$1.9 $1.9
$2.78 $2.78
-31.65%
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$1.92 $1.92
$2.52 $2.52
-23.81%
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$10.15 $10.15
$11.64 $11.64
-12.80%
Wine (Bottle)
$15.17 $15.17
$17.15 $17.15
-11.55%
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$1.75 $1.75
$2.94 $2.94
-40.48%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$4.22 $4.22
$4.19 $4.19
0.72%
๐ŸšŒ Getting Around
Durham, NC
Seattle, WA
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$1.99 $1.99
$2.8 $2.8
-28.93%
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$25.24 $25.24
$101 $101
-74.97%
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$2.02 $2.02
$2.68 $2.68
-24.63%
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$1.52 $1.52
$1.65 $1.65
-7.88%
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$22.79 $22.79
$30.13 $30.13
-24.36%
Gasoline (1 liter)
$0.87 $0.87
$1.16 $1.16
-25.00%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$28.5K $28.5K
$33.3K $33.3K
-14.37%
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$26.2K $26.2K
$26.3K $26.3K
-0.37%
๐Ÿงพ Monthly Utilities & Internet
Durham, NC
Seattle, WA
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$162 $162
$271 $271
-40.05%
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$53.6 $53.6
$61.8 $61.8
-13.28%
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$75.3 $75.3
$75.2 $75.2
0.17%
๐ŸŽ‰ Sport & Entertainment
Durham, NC
Seattle, WA
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$40.25 $40.25
$78.4 $78.4
-48.67%
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
-
$41.04 $41.04
-
Cinema Ticket
$12.15 $12.15
$15.89 $15.89
-23.54%
๐Ÿงธ Childcare & Education
Durham, NC
Seattle, WA
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$1,288 $1,288
$2,248 $2,248
-42.70%
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$31.2K $31.2K
$29K $29K
7.62%
๐Ÿ‘•๐Ÿ‘Ÿ Clothing & Footwear
Durham, NC
Seattle, WA
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$52.2 $52.2
$69.5 $69.5
-24.95%
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$34.49 $34.49
$52.5 $52.5
-34.33%
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$79.5 $79.5
$120 $120
-33.49%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$119 $119
$142 $142
-16.74%
๐Ÿ  Accommodation & Living
Durham, NC
Seattle, WA
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$1,875 $1,875
$2,376 $2,376
-21.09%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$1,425 $1,425
$1,829 $1,829
-22.11%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$2,525 $2,525
$4,702 $4,702
-46.30%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$2,308 $2,308
$3,474 $3,474
-33.57%
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$2,823 $2,823
$6,928 $6,928
-59.25%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$2,665 $2,665
$5,224 $5,224
-48.99%
๐Ÿ’ต Salaries & Financials
Durham, NC
Seattle, WA
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$4,429 $4,429
$6,473 $6,473
-31.58%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
6.54
6.42
1.87%

Citycost data is based on AI and user input โ€“ minor inaccuracies may occur.

Last update for Durham, NC: October 27, 2025

Last update for Seattle, WA: October 29, 2025

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