2025 Compare Cities Cost of Living:
Durham, NC vs Scottsdale, AZ

Change Cities
Highlights
Is it cheaper to live in Scottsdale or is it cheaper to live in Durham?
- Scottsdale is 14.4% more expensive than Durham.

Which city has more affordable housing, Scottsdale or Durham?
- Scottsdale housing costs are 116.8% more expensive than Durham housing costs.

Is Health Care more affordable in Durham or is Health Care more affordable in Scottsdale.
- Health related expenses are 5.5% less in Scottsdale.
 Durham, NCScottsdale, AZUnited States
 Overall  Unlock113.0100
 Food & Groceries99.2  Unlock100
 Health  Unlock92.5100
 Housing106.5  Unlock100
 Median Home Cost  Unlock$721,200$338,100
 Utilities100  Unlock100
 Transportation  Unlock109.2100
 Miscellaneous108.9  Unlock100
100 = National Average (Below 100 means cheaper than the US average. Above 100 means more expensive.)
DID YOU KNOW?

In order to keep your same standard of living your salary can vary greatly - whether you buy or rent, require child care, or want to include taxes. This is why we are now offering a Premium Salary & Cost of Living Calculator.

Our Premium Calculator Includes:
- Compare Cities cost of living across 9 different categories
- Personal salary calculations can optionally include Home ownership or rental, Child care, and Taxes (with details on state and local sales, income, property and automobile taxes)
- Includes the cost of Child Care for toddlers or infants, at a day care center or home care
- Grocery prices, detailed for 29 staple items in six categories
- Difference in cost of Utilities, including electric, gas and fuel oil
- Health Care Premiums and hospital expenses for major surgeries
- Taxes, Fees and Expenses you should know about, such as local car insurance rates, automobile taxes and registration, commuting costs.
- and 100s of other items you should consider before you relocate

Upgrade to Premium | See Example

Reviews for Durham    43 Reviews

I was raised in this city, left for work in the 2010s, and returned in 2018. This city has changed a lot over the years for the better. Growing up there was not a ton to  More

   |    Reply

Over 4 years ago

I've lived in durham for a few years and my experience is coming from someone who has traveled all over the world and has lived in many different states. First things  More

   |    Reply

Over 4 years ago

I live here for my entire life and it has never gotten boring, I love the scenery, nightlife and basically everything here. There is always something new to do and  More

   |    Reply

Start Your Review of Durham

Reviews for Scottsdale    84 Reviews

It's been a long time since I visited Scottsdale after visiting a few times a decade ago. It used to be more of an area that deserved it's punchlines for being stuck up  More

   |    Reply

Over 1 years ago

My son went to ASU in '99 which is how we ended up here from Northern Illinois. Over the years we came out for vacations and bought a second home until we finally made  More

   |    Reply

I lived in San Jose for 30 years...in the late '50s. I walked thru cherry orchards to school. After college classes, I drove 20 minutes to the beach. San Francisco was  More

   |    Reply

Start Your Review of Scottsdale


Premium Subscription
Includes Cost of Living compares for child care, utilities, transportation, health, taxes, housing for home owners vs renters, weather, insurance premiums and so much more.


The premier source for comprehensive city data for over 30 years.

© Best Places. All rights reserved.