2025 Compare Cities Cost of Living:
Durham, NC vs Waynesville, NC

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Highlights
Is it cheaper to live in Waynesville or is it cheaper to live in Durham?
- Waynesville is 1.5% less expensive than Durham.

Which city has more affordable housing, Waynesville or Durham?
- Waynesville housing costs are 8.5% less expensive than Durham housing costs.

Is Health Care more affordable in Durham or is Health Care more affordable in Waynesville.
- Health related expenses are 23.4% more in Waynesville.
 Durham, NCWaynesville, NCUnited States
 Overall  Unlock97.3100
 Food & Groceries99.2  Unlock100
 Health  Unlock120.8100
 Housing106.5  Unlock100
 Median Home Cost  Unlock$319,100$338,100
 Utilities100  Unlock100
 Transportation  Unlock87.7100
 Miscellaneous108.9  Unlock100
100 = National Average (Below 100 means cheaper than the US average. Above 100 means more expensive.)
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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

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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

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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

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Reviews for Waynesville    4 Reviews

The post below was written a little less than 10 years ago and only a few months prior to my move to Waynesville. Anyone who moves to any city should do research before  More

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Over 17 years ago

Waynesville is a small town trying to keep up with the big dogs across the mountains. It puts on shows and have festivals downtown but it is not good enough. I have  More

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For those of us who weren't reared there, Waynesville, NC lends itself best to being a small-town retirement community. The "Gateway to the Smokies" is a blissfully  More

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