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

😐 Solo nomad: New York, NY is 49.3% more expensive than Durham, NC without rent, and 69.3% more expensive with rent.
😐 Family of 3: New York, NY is 49.9% more expensive than Durham, NC without rent, and 101.8% more expensive with rent.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
New York, NY
Durham, NC
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$29.68 $29.68
$15.14 $15.14
96.04%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$144 $144
$70.9 $70.9
103.44%
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$12.43 $12.43
$9.95 $9.95
24.92%
Cappuccino
$5.84 $5.84
$4.6 $4.6
26.96%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$3.26 $3.26
$2.15 $2.15
51.63%
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.58 $2.58
$1.83 $1.83
40.98%
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$8.24 $8.24
$5.11 $5.11
61.25%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$11.86 $11.86
$6.53 $6.53
81.62%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
New York, NY
Durham, NC
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$1.56 $1.56
$0.86 $0.86
81.40%
White Bread (500g)
$5.23 $5.23
$3.8 $3.8
37.63%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$8.11 $8.11
$3.68 $3.68
120.38%
Eggs
$7.25 $7.25
$4.41 $4.41
64.40%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$17.08 $17.08
$9.23 $9.23
85.05%
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$16.24 $16.24
$12.48 $12.48
30.13%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$20.02 $20.02
$15.72 $15.72
27.35%
Apples (1kg)
$7.49 $7.49
$5.53 $5.53
35.44%
Banana (1kg)
$2.55 $2.55
$1.18 $1.18
116.10%
Oranges (1kg)
$5.82 $5.82
$3.74 $3.74
55.61%
Tomato (1kg)
$6.52 $6.52
$3.43 $3.43
90.09%
Potato (1kg)
$3.72 $3.72
$2.57 $2.57
44.75%
Onion (1kg)
$3.9 $3.9
$2.81 $2.81
38.79%
Lettuce (1 head)
$3.07 $3.07
$1.9 $1.9
61.58%
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$2.57 $2.57
$1.92 $1.92
33.85%
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$19.21 $19.21
$10.15 $10.15
89.26%
Wine (Bottle)
$17.79 $17.79
$15.17 $15.17
17.27%
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$3.01 $3.01
$1.75 $1.75
72.00%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$3.72 $3.72
$4.22 $4.22
-11.85%
🚌 Getting Around
New York, NY
Durham, NC
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$2.92 $2.92
$1.99 $1.99
46.73%
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$134 $134
$25.24 $25.24
430.82%
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$5.13 $5.13
$2.02 $2.02
153.96%
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$2.15 $2.15
$1.52 $1.52
41.45%
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$41.57 $41.57
$22.79 $22.79
82.40%
Gasoline (1 liter)
$0.95 $0.95
$0.87 $0.87
9.20%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$35K $35K
$28.5K $28.5K
22.75%
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$27.7K $27.7K
$26.2K $26.2K
5.84%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
New York, NY
Durham, NC
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$179 $179
$162 $162
9.92%
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$60 $60
$53.6 $53.6
11.86%
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$63.8 $63.8
$75.3 $75.3
-15.24%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
New York, NY
Durham, NC
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$141 $141
$40.25 $40.25
249.59%
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$63.9 $63.9
-
-
Cinema Ticket
$19.9 $19.9
$12.15 $12.15
63.79%
🧸 Childcare & Education
New York, NY
Durham, NC
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$3,206 $3,206
$1,288 $1,288
148.90%
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$56.5K $56.5K
$31.2K $31.2K
80.83%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
New York, NY
Durham, NC
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$65.7 $65.7
$52.2 $52.2
25.91%
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$48.75 $48.75
$34.49 $34.49
41.35%
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$111 $111
$79.5 $79.5
39.86%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$172 $172
$119 $119
44.73%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
New York, NY
Durham, NC
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$4,165 $4,165
$1,875 $1,875
122.14%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$2,653 $2,653
$1,425 $1,425
86.26%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$8,412 $8,412
$2,525 $2,525
233.14%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$5,277 $5,277
$2,308 $2,308
128.67%
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$15.6K $15.6K
$2,823 $2,823
453.41%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$11.2K $11.2K
$2,665 $2,665
318.69%
💵 Salaries & Financials
New York, NY
Durham, NC
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$5,616 $5,616
$4,429 $4,429
26.81%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
6.44
6.54
-1.53%

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

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

Last update for Durham, NC: October 27, 2025

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