in our guides
of 10
Affordable cities for outdoor lovers
read the guideof 10
Best mid-sized US cities
read the guideof 10
Best cities to leave San Francisco for
read the guideof 10
Most vibrant and affordable cities
read the guideof 10
Best affordable cities to retire
read the guideof 10
Best cities for retirees who love the outdoors
read the guideof 10
Cheapest cities in America
read the guideof 10
Best cities to leave New York for
read the guideof 10
Best cities to leave Los Angeles for
read the guideof 10
Affordable alternatives to Denver
read the guideof 10
Best cities to live in the Midwest
read the guideof 10
Best cities for a $75k salary
read the guideof 10
Best cities to leave Boston for
read the guideof 10
Best cities to buy a home
read the guideof 10
Most affordable cities to buy a home
read the guideof 10
Best cities to leave Nashville for
read the guideof 10
Affordable alternatives to Nashville
read the guideof 10
Best cities where buying beats renting
read the guideof 10
Best cities to leave DC for
read the guideof 10
Best cities in the Great Lakes region
read the guideof 10
Best cities for creatives and artists
read the guideof 10
Best cities for a $60k salary
read the guideof 10
Best cities to retire early
read the guideof 10
Affordable alternatives to Boise
read the guide01 · the verdict
the verdict
cheaper each month than Durham
Not a fortune, but real money. Dayton runs cheaper than Durham month over month.
02 · the money
a quick ledger.
$1,321/mo
22% cheaper than Durham(vs $1,684/mo)
3.99%
$43/mo less in state tax than Durham
vs 4.5% in Durham
$6,680/mo
$406 more than Durham
gross of federal tax. a comparison, not a paycheck.
$139k
67% cheaper than Durham
vs $415k in Durham
808k
vs 609k in Durham
03 · the life
field notes, weather & such.
171
pleasant days a year, in dayton.
Durham has the edge here, logging 178 pleasant days a year. Cold snaps are part of the year: 34 days below 20° here, 5 in Durham.
But the calendar thins out: Durham stays 2.5× busier.
62/100
24% higher than Durham
vs 50/100 in Durham
Closest outdoor draw: Sycamore State Park, 9.9 mi.
89/100
11% higher than Durham
vs 80/100 in Durham
16
59% fewer than Durham
vs 39 nonstops in Durham
04 · see also
if dayton appeals, also worth a look:

