CostIndexUSA

Atlantic City, NJ vs Durham, NC Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

NJ
Atlantic City
98.9
overall index
$2,225/mo rent
More AffordableNC
Durham
97.6
overall index
$1,650/mo rent

Durham is slightly cheaper than Atlantic City — 1.3% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Atlantic City, you would need $79,000 in Durham. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

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

🏠 Housing≈ Equal
Atlantic City
98.7
Durham
98.9
🛒 Groceries3.2%
Atlantic City
99.8
Durham
96.6
🚗 Transportation≈ Equal
Atlantic City
102.8
Durham
103.1
🏥 Healthcare≈ Equal
Atlantic City
93
Durham
93.3
Utilities18.2%
Atlantic City
109.2
Durham
89.3

Salary Equivalency Calculator

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

$
Equivalent salary in Durham, NC
$79,000
$1,000 less needed in Durham

Formula: salary × (97.6 ÷ 98.9) = salary × 0.9869. Based on BEA Regional Price Parities.

Housing Market

Atlantic City, NJ

Median Home Price
$369,000
Median Monthly Rent
$2,225
Housing Index
98.7
Price-to-Rent Ratio
13.8×

Durham, NC

Median Home Price
$402,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,650
Housing Index
98.9
Price-to-Rent Ratio
20.3×

Income & Job Market

Atlantic City, NJ

Median Household Income
$80,100
Per Capita Income
$45,700
Unemployment Rate
6%
Population
38,497
Top Industries
GamingTourismHealthcareHospitalityRetail

Durham, NC

Median Household Income
$83,300
Per Capita Income
$47,500
Unemployment Rate
3.2%
Population
278,993
Top Industries
TechnologyHealthcareEducationResearchFinance

Affordability at a Glance

Income-to-rent ratio: higher is better (more income relative to housing costs).

Atlantic City, NJ
3.0×income-to-rent ratio

67% of income left after rent (median)

Durham, NC
4.2×income-to-rent ratio

76% 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.