Chandler vs Durham: Cost of Living (2026)

A side-by-side comparison of Chandler, AZ and Durham, NC, using US Census Bureau data.

MetricChandler, AZDurham, NC
Population275,618284,094
Median household income$99,374$74,710
Median home value$423,900$316,600
Median rent (/mo)$1,675$1,296

Source: US Census Bureau ACS 5-Year (2022). Highlighted cell = more affordable / higher income.

Comparing Chandler, AZ and Durham, NC comes down to what you value most. Durham has the lower median home value, and Durham has the lower median rent.

Chandler has the higher median household income, which affects how far a paycheck stretches against local housing costs. The table below breaks down the key numbers side by side, all sourced from the US Census Bureau.

Frequently asked questions

Is it cheaper to live in Chandler or Durham?
By median home value, Durham is the cheaper of the two ($316,600 vs $423,900). Rent and income differ too — see the full comparison above.
Which has higher salaries, Chandler or Durham?
Median household income is $99,374 in Chandler versus $74,710 in Durham, per the US Census Bureau.

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