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The most comprehensive cost of living comparison tool for US cities. Make informed relocation decisions with real data from trusted sources.

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Data sourced from US Census, BLS, DOT, EPA, Zillow (aggregated)

Last updated: Feb 2026

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DurhamvsSan Francisco

Last updated: Feb 2026
Data Methodology

Moving from Durham to San Francisco will cost approximately $489,514 more on median home prices (124.4% higher). Monthly rent is $2,040 more expensive in San Francisco. Median income is 32.3% higher in San Francisco, helping offset housing costs.

Housing
124.4% more
Rent
124.4% more
View DurhamView San Francisco
San Francisco

Side-by-Side Comparison

Origin

Durham, NC

Median Home Price$393,365
Monthly Rent$1,639
Median Income$62,694
Population257,598
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Destination

San Francisco, CA

Median Home Price
$882,879+124.4%
Monthly Rent
$3,679+124.4%
Median Income
$82,922+32.3%
Population864,816
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Cities Location Map

Housing

Rent History & Trends

Understanding how rental prices have changed over time helps predict future affordability and make informed decisions about your move.

Durham

2015$1,052
2020$1,271
2025$1,639

San Francisco

2015$3,234
2020$2,856
2025$3,679

Annual Cost of Living

A comprehensive breakdown of annual living expenses helps you budget effectively for your new life in San Francisco.

Durham

Housing$7,889
Food$5,737
Transport$12,986
Healthcare$11,172
Total$44,368

San Francisco

Housing$14,527
Food$6,850
Transport$14,083
Healthcare$11,373
Total$68,844
Costs

Key Insights

124.4%
Housing Cost
more expensive in San Francisco
$2,040
Monthly Rent Difference
additional cost per month
32.3%
Income Level
higher median income

Demographics

Durham

Population257,598
Median Age33.2 yrs
Violent Crime Rate420 per 100k
Property Crime Rate2087 per 100k

San Francisco

Population864,816
Median Age38.3 yrs
Violent Crime Rate481 per 100k
Property Crime Rate2165 per 100k

Safety & Crime Statistics

Durham

420
Violent Crime Rate (per 100k)
2087
Property Crime Rate (per 100k)

San Francisco

481
Violent Crime Rate (per 100k)
2165
Property Crime Rate (per 100k)

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is it cheaper to live in San Francisco or Durham?

Durham is 124.4% cheaper for housing than San Francisco. The median home price in Durham is $393,365 compared to $882,879 in San Francisco.

What is the rent difference between Durham and San Francisco?

Monthly rent in San Francisco averages $3,679, while Durham averages $1,639. That's a difference of $2,040 per month, or $24,476 annually.

How do incomes compare between Durham and San Francisco?

The median household income in San Francisco is $82,922, which is 32.3% higher than Durham's median of $62,694.

Which city is safer: Durham or San Francisco?

Durham has a violent crime rate of 420 per 100k residents, while San Francisco has 481 per 100k. Durham is statistically safer.

What is Estates?

Estates is a comprehensive cost of living comparison platform covering over 3,900 US cities. We help you compare housing prices, rent, income levels, crime rates, demographics, and climate data to make informed relocation decisions. Our data comes from trusted sources including Zillow, the U.S. Census Bureau, FBI, and NOAA.

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