Quick answer
Durham costs $75/month less overall ($1,805 vs $1,880/mo). Durham also has lower state income tax (4.75% vs 7.65%), widening the advantage for higher earners.
City Comparison · 2026
Durham vs Madison
Side-by-side on rent, home prices, taxes, walkability, jobs, and climate — with a straight verdict for each type of mover.
Last updated: October 15, 2026
Durham vs Madison at a Glance
| Metric | Durham | Madison |
|---|---|---|
| 1BR Monthly Rent | $1,350 ✓ | $1,720 |
| 2BR Monthly Rent | $1,650 ✓ | $1,720 |
| Median Home Price | $425K | $370K ✓ |
| Avg Utilities/mo | $135 ✓ | $145 |
| Avg Groceries/mo | $320 ✓ | $355 |
| Monthly Cost (1BR) | $1,805 ✓ | $1,880 |
| Walk Score | 64/100 ✓ | 63/100 |
| Transit Score | 38/100 | 46/100 ✓ |
| State Income Tax | 4.75% ✓ | 7.65% |
Monthly cost = 1BR rent + utilities + groceries for one person. ✓ marks the lower/better value.
Cost of Living: What the Numbers Actually Mean
Rent gap: Durham's 1BR averages $1,350/month vs $1,380 in Madison — a $30/month difference, or $360/year. That's close enough that neighborhood choice within each city matters more than the city-level average.
State tax: Durham charges 4.75% state income tax vs 7.65% in Madison. On an $80K salary that's a $2,320/year difference. On $120K, the gap grows to $9,180 vs $5,700 — important context if you're choosing between tech job offers.
Home buying: Median homes in Madison are $370K vs $425K in Durham. At a 20% down payment, that's a $11,000 difference in upfront cash — significant at early-career savings rates.
Utilities: Madison utilities run $10 more per month than Durham.
Walkability, Transit & Daily Life
Durham, NC
Durham's walkability means you can genuinely live without a car in the right neighborhoods.
TOP NEIGHBORHOODS
Madison, WI
Madison's walkability means you can genuinely live without a car in the right neighborhoods.
TOP NEIGHBORHOODS
Climate
Durham
Humid subtropical with hot, humid summers (85-90°F) and mild winters (45-55°F). Approximately 100 humid days annually; moderate precipitation year-round.
Madison
Four seasons; brutal winters (lakes freeze solid for skating), warm summers, beautiful fall; 189 sunny days
Job Market
Durham top industries
Madison top industries
Who Should Pick Which City
Move to Durham if…
- →You're a Biotech & pharma professionals
- →You're a Life sciences researchers
- →You're a Academics
- →You're a Young professionals seeking affordable big-city vibe
Move to Madison if…
- →You're a researchers / academics
- →You're a tech workers
- →You're a outdoor / lake lifestyle seekers
- →You're a progressive culture seekers
- →You're buying a home and want more for your money
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Durham or Madison cheaper to live in?
Durham is cheaper overall. Monthly costs (1BR rent + utilities + groceries) run $1,805 in Durham vs $1,880 in Madison — a $75/month difference.
Which city is more walkable — Durham or Madison?
Durham is more walkable with a Walk Score of 64/100 vs 63/100. Madison is more car-dependent.
Durham vs Madison: which has lower state income tax?
Durham has lower state income tax (4.75%). On an $80K salary, that saves $2,320/year vs Madison (7.65%).
Is Durham or Madison better for buying a home?
Madison has lower median home prices at $370K vs $425K in Durham — a $55,000 difference on the median home.