CostIndexUSA

Durham, NC vs Honolulu, HI Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

More AffordableNC
Durham
97.6
overall index
$1,650/mo rent
HI
Honolulu
100
overall index
$1,500/mo rent

Durham is slightly cheaper than Honolulu — 2.5% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Durham, you would need $82,000 in Honolulu. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

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

🏠 Housing+1.1%
Durham
98.9
Honolulu
100
🛒 Groceries+3.5%
Durham
96.6
Honolulu
100
🚗 Transportation3.0%
Durham
103.1
Honolulu
100
🏥 Healthcare+7.2%
Durham
93.3
Honolulu
100
Utilities+12.0%
Durham
89.3
Honolulu
100

Salary Equivalency Calculator

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

$
Equivalent salary in Honolulu, HI
$82,000
$2,000 more needed in Honolulu

Formula: salary × (100 ÷ 97.6) = salary × 1.0246. 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×

Honolulu, HI

Median Home Price
$420,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,500
Housing Index
100
Price-to-Rent Ratio
23.3×

Honolulu has 1.1% 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

Honolulu, HI

Median Household Income
$75,000
Per Capita Income
$42,700
Unemployment Rate
3.7%
Population
350,964
Top Industries
TourismMilitaryHealthcareGovernmentRetail

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)

Honolulu, HI
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.