CostIndexUSA

Durham, NC vs Omaha, NE Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

NC
Durham
97.6
overall index
$1,650/mo rent
More AffordableNE
Omaha
91.9
overall index
$1,400/mo rent

Omaha is moderately cheaper than Durham — 5.8% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Durham, you would need $75,300 in Omaha. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

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

🏠 Housing12.6%
Durham
98.9
Omaha
86.4
🛒 Groceries2.6%
Durham
96.6
Omaha
94.1
🚗 Transportation5.3%
Durham
103.1
Omaha
97.6
🏥 Healthcare5.4%
Durham
93.3
Omaha
88.3
Utilities14.4%
Durham
89.3
Omaha
76.4

Salary Equivalency Calculator

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

$
Equivalent salary in Omaha, NE
$75,300
$4,700 less needed in Omaha

Formula: salary × (91.9 ÷ 97.6) = salary × 0.9416. 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×

Omaha, NE

Median Home Price
$295,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,400
Housing Index
86.4
Price-to-Rent Ratio
17.6×

Durham has 12.6% lower housing costs compared to Omaha.

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

Omaha, NE

Median Household Income
$81,400
Per Capita Income
$46,400
Unemployment Rate
2.6%
Population
486,051
Top Industries
FinanceInsuranceHealthcareTelecommunicationsManufacturing

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)

Omaha, NE
4.8×income-to-rent ratio

79% 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.