CostIndexUSA

Durham, NC vs Vallejo, CA Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

More AffordableNC
Durham
97.6
overall index
$1,650/mo rent
CA
Vallejo
108.5
overall index
$2,375/mo rent

Durham is moderately cheaper than Vallejo — 11.2% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Durham, you would need $88,900 in Vallejo. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

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

🏠 Housing+43.6%
Durham
98.9
Vallejo
142
🛒 Groceries+8.9%
Durham
96.6
Vallejo
105.2
🚗 Transportation+2.1%
Durham
103.1
Vallejo
105.3
🏥 Healthcare+2.1%
Durham
93.3
Vallejo
95.3
Utilities+73.6%
Durham
89.3
Vallejo
155

Salary Equivalency Calculator

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

$
Equivalent salary in Vallejo, CA
$88,900
$8,900 more needed in Vallejo

Formula: salary × (108.5 ÷ 97.6) = salary × 1.1117. 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×

Vallejo, CA

Median Home Price
$567,000
Median Monthly Rent
$2,375
Housing Index
142
Price-to-Rent Ratio
19.9×

Vallejo has 43.6% 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

Vallejo, CA

Median Household Income
$100,000
Per Capita Income
$57,000
Unemployment Rate
4.9%
Population
121,253
Top Industries
HealthcareMilitaryManufacturingRetailGovernment

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)

Vallejo, CA
3.5×income-to-rent ratio

72% 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.