CostIndexUSA

Durham, NC vs Napa, CA Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

More AffordableNC
Durham
97.6
overall index
$1,650/mo rent
CA
Napa
112.6
overall index
$2,825/mo rent

Durham is significantly cheaper than Napa — 15.4% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Durham, you would need $92,300 in Napa. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

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

🏠 Housing+99.6%
Durham
98.9
Napa
197.4
🛒 Groceries+8.9%
Durham
96.6
Napa
105.2
🚗 Transportation+2.1%
Durham
103.1
Napa
105.3
🏥 Healthcare+2.1%
Durham
93.3
Napa
95.3
Utilities+75.3%
Durham
89.3
Napa
156.5

Salary Equivalency Calculator

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

$
Equivalent salary in Napa, CA
$92,300
$12,300 more needed in Napa

Formula: salary × (112.6 ÷ 97.6) = salary × 1.1537. 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×

Napa, CA

Median Home Price
$867,000
Median Monthly Rent
$2,825
Housing Index
197.4
Price-to-Rent Ratio
25.6×

Napa has 99.6% higher housing costs compared to Durham.

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

Napa, CA

Median Household Income
$104,700
Per Capita Income
$59,700
Unemployment Rate
3.7%
Population
79,426
Top Industries
WineTourismHealthcareAgricultureRetail

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)

Napa, CA
3.1×income-to-rent ratio

68% 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.