Durham vs Jersey City: Cost of Living (2026)
A side-by-side comparison of Durham, NC and Jersey City, NJ, using US Census Bureau data.
| Metric | Durham, NC | Jersey City, NJ |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 284,094 | 287,899 |
| Median household income | $74,710 | $91,151 |
| Median home value | $316,600 | $500,100 |
| Median rent (/mo) | $1,296 | $1,799 |
Source: US Census Bureau ACS 5-Year (2022). Highlighted cell = more affordable / higher income.
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compare-top (set NEXT_PUBLIC_ADSENSE_CLIENT to serve real ads)Comparing Durham, NC and Jersey City, NJ comes down to what you value most. Durham has the lower median home value, and Durham has the lower median rent.
Jersey City 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 Durham or Jersey City?
- By median home value, Durham is the cheaper of the two ($316,600 vs $500,100). Rent and income differ too — see the full comparison above.
- Which has higher salaries, Durham or Jersey City?
- Median household income is $74,710 in Durham versus $91,151 in Jersey City, per the US Census Bureau.