CostIndexUSA

Durham, NC vs Kalamazoo, MI Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

NC
Durham
97.6
overall index
$1,650/mo rent
More AffordableMI
Kalamazoo
94.8
overall index
$1,350/mo rent

Kalamazoo is slightly cheaper than Durham — 2.9% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Durham, you would need $77,700 in Kalamazoo. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

Index values: 100 = U.S. national average. Higher = more expensive.

🏠 Housing17.5%
Durham
98.9
Kalamazoo
81.6
🛒 Groceries3.0%
Durham
96.6
Kalamazoo
93.7
🚗 Transportation+1.4%
Durham
103.1
Kalamazoo
104.5
🏥 Healthcare+1.4%
Durham
93.3
Kalamazoo
94.6
Utilities+11.2%
Durham
89.3
Kalamazoo
99.3

Salary Equivalency Calculator

Enter your current salary in Durham to see what you'd need to earn in Kalamazoo to maintain the same purchasing power.

$
Equivalent salary in Kalamazoo, MI
$77,700
$2,300 less needed in Kalamazoo

Formula: salary × (94.8 ÷ 97.6) = salary × 0.9713. Based on BEA Regional Price Parities.

Housing Market

Durham, NC

Median Home Price
$402,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,650
Housing Index
98.9
Price-to-Rent Ratio
20.3×

Kalamazoo, MI

Median Home Price
$262,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,350
Housing Index
81.6
Price-to-Rent Ratio
16.2×

Durham has 17.5% lower housing costs compared to Kalamazoo.

Income & Job Market

Durham, NC

Median Household Income
$83,300
Per Capita Income
$47,500
Unemployment Rate
3.2%
Population
278,993
Top Industries
TechnologyHealthcareEducationResearchFinance

Kalamazoo, MI

Median Household Income
$67,200
Per Capita Income
$38,300
Unemployment Rate
2.9%
Population
72,305
Top Industries
HealthcareEducationManufacturingPharmaceuticalsFinance

Affordability at a Glance

Income-to-rent ratio: higher is better (more income relative to housing costs).

Durham, NC
4.2×income-to-rent ratio

76% of income left after rent (median)

Kalamazoo, MI
4.1×income-to-rent ratio

76% of income left after rent (median)

Data Sources: Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) Regional Price Parities 2024; U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS); Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Local Area Unemployment Statistics; Zillow Research.

Cost indices use 100 as the U.S. national average. Values above 100 indicate costs above the national average. Data is updated annually.

This data is for informational purposes only and should not be used as the sole basis for relocation or financial decisions.