Is Arlington, VA cheaper than Durham, NC?

Based on cost of living data, Arlington, VA is 53.1% more expensive than Durham, NC. This translates to spending an extra $3982 per month.

What salary do I need in Arlington, VA to live like I do in Durham, NC?

If you earn $150,000 in Durham, NC, you'd need approximately $197,781.477 in Arlington, VA to maintain the same standard of living.

How does housing cost compare between Durham, NC and Arlington, VA?

Housing in Arlington, VA is 121.2% more expensive than in Durham, NC. For a two-bedroom apartment, rent is $2,325/month in Arlington, VA compared to $1,730/month in Durham, NC.

How much can I save per month by moving from Durham, NC to Arlington, VA?

Living in Arlington, VA costs approximately $3982 more per month than Durham, NC, or $47781 more per year, based on a $150,000 salary.

Durham, NC vs Arlington, VA: Cost of Living Comparison 2026

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Cost of Living Comparison 2026

Data: HUD rent estimates, BLS cost of living

Current salary in Durham, NC

Numbers update automatically as you type

You'd spend $4.0K/month more in Arlington, VA

$150.0K in your current city equals $197.8K in Arlington, VA

Rent data from HUD ZIP-level estimates · COL index from Raleigh-Cary, NC area

Overall Cost

↑ 53.1%

More expensive

Monthly Impact

$3,982

Extra cost

Annual Impact

$47.8K

Per year

Based on monthly living costs (rent, groceries, utilities, transport, healthcare). Home purchase prices shown separately below.

Durham, NC

Population:325K

Cost Index:

100

100 = national average

Median Home:$411K

Arlington, VA

Population:239K

Cost Index:

153

(53% above avg)

Median Home:$556K

Durham, NC

The Tar Heel State

325K

Population

State Tax

Yes

Located in North Carolina, this city has a population of 325K residents.

Arlington, VA

The Old Dominion State

239K

Population

State Tax

Yes

Located in Virginia, this city has a population of 239K residents.

Cost Breakdown by Category

Annual spending: Durham, NC vs Arlington, VA

Category	Durham, NC	Arlington, VA	Difference	Change
Housing	$2,469/mo	$5,461/mo	↑ $2,992more	121.2%
Transportation	$1,284/mo	$1,842/mo	↑ $558more	43.4%
Groceries	$959/mo	$1,067/mo	↑ $107more	11.2%
Other	$1,707/mo	$1,783/mo	↑ $75.14more	4.4%
All Utilities	$546/mo	$502/mo	↓ $44.14less	8.1%
Healthcare	$601/mo	$625/mo	↑ $23.66more	3.9%

Housing

↑ 121.2%

Durham, NC

$2,469

Arlington, VA

$5,461

Difference

$2,992

Transportation

↑ 43.4%

Durham, NC

$1,284

Arlington, VA

$1,842

Difference

$558

Groceries

↑ 11.2%

Durham, NC

$959

Arlington, VA

$1,067

Difference

$107

Other

↑ 4.4%

Durham, NC

$1,707

Arlington, VA

$1,783

Difference

$75.14

All Utilities

↓ 8.1%

Durham, NC

$546

Arlington, VA

$502

Difference

$44.14

less

Healthcare

↑ 3.9%

Durham, NC

$601

Arlington, VA

$625

Difference

$23.66

🏠Rent Comparison

Studio

From$1,430

To$1,578

↑ $148

1 Bed

From$1,520

To$1,827

↑ $307

2 Bed

From$1,730

To$2,325

↑ $595

3 Bed

From$2,140

To$3,239

↑ $1,099

Durham, NCZIP-level data

1BR range: $1,480–$1,750/mo

💡 Note: Rent prices are based on HUD Fair Market Rent data and represent median costs. Actual prices vary by neighborhood, amenities, and condition. Source: HUD Small Area Fair Market Rents FY2026.

$7,567

Monthly in Durham, NC

$11,279

Monthly in Arlington, VA

$3,712

Difference

Home Values

Durham

Arlington

$411K

Median Value

↓ -0.5%

YoY Change

↑ +38%

5-Year Change

$306K - $461K

Price Range

Calculate payment - Durham

Source: Zillow Home Value Index (ZHVI), January 2026

Tax Comparison

Annual tax burden comparison at $150.0K salary

Tax Savings

↓ $1.2K

More taxes

Monthly Difference

$104

Less take-home

Effective Rate Diff

0.8%

Rate difference

Durham, NC

Federal Income Tax

Effective: 18.9%

$25.5K

North Carolina State Tax

Effective: 4.8%

$7.1K

FICA Taxes

Social Security + Medicare

$11.5K

Total Taxes

Effective: 29.4%

$44.1K

Take-Home Pay

$8,822/month

$105.9K

Arlington, VA

Federal Income Tax

Effective: 18.9%

$25.5K

Virginia State Tax

Effective: 5.6%

$8.4K

FICA Taxes

Social Security + Medicare

$11.5K

Total Taxes

Effective: 30.3%

$45.4K

Take-Home Pay

$8,718/month

$104.6K

Additional Tax Information

Durham, NC Tax Rates

Sales Tax:7.1%

Property Tax:0.8%

Arlington, VA Tax Rates

Sales Tax:5.7%

Property Tax:0.8%

💡 Note: Tax calculations are estimates based on 2024/2025 tax brackets for single filers with standard deduction. Actual taxes may vary based on filing status, deductions, credits, and local variations.