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Source-led head-to-head · 2024 ACS

Moving from Durham to Phoenix

Comparing Durham, North Carolina, and Phoenix, Arizona, using 2024 ACS data reveals notable similarities in median household income alongside distinct cost and transit differences. Durham reports a 2024 ACS 5-year median household income of $81,619, a median gross rent of $1,508 per month, and a median home value of $392,800, with a derived one-way commute of 24 minutes. Phoenix records a comparable 2024 ACS median household income of $81,332, a higher median gross rent of $1,582 per month, and an owner-occupied home value of $420,700, paired with a slightly longer 28-minute commute. Additionally, Phoenix includes a simplified state individual income-tax reference of 2.50%, while Durham's state individual income tax is excluded due to lack of an approved official reference. Neither profile establishes neighborhood safety, schools, weather, insurance, or job quality.

Corridor Direction & Trade-off Delta

Moving from Durham to Phoenix

⇄ Switch to PhoenixDurham
Median Rent Impact
+$74/mo

Moving to Phoenix costs ~$888 more/yr in rent.

State Tax Treatment
+2.5%

~$2,500 more state tax on a $100k salary in Arizona.

Daily Commute Difference
+4 min / day

Difference of ~33 hours per year spent commuting based on 2024 ACS midpoint averages.

Your move

Compare the life behind the offer.

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Instant results use official 2024 ACS place data. Places with incomplete required signals remain visible in search but cannot be selected.

What matters most?

Directional estimate using ACS citywide benchmarks. Verified profiles may include a simplified state-tax reference; automatically added profiles exclude state tax until an official reference is approved. Exact tax, benefits, debt, housing, insurance, and personal circumstances may materially change the result.

LIVE VERDICTDURPHX
57/ 100

A close, nuanced move

Your modeled annual room improves.
Estimated annual life delta+$8,696after essentials; unverified state tax excluded
Take-home$69,208$78,792
Core costs$33,096$33,984
Commute time31 hours lost
Best gainA balanced income-to-rent profile with a low flat state-tax reference
Watch closelyThe $420,700 home-value benchmark is materially above Dallas despite similar commute time
See assumptions and methodology →
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The short answer

In the uniform one-person renting baseline, Durham is about $888 lower per year. This is not a verdict by itself: replace city medians with the actual offer, address, household, benefits, insurance, and tax details before deciding.

Durham household income$81,619
Phoenix household income$81,332
Durham gross rent$1,508
Phoenix gross rent$1,582

Housing, income, and tax reference

MetricDurhamPhoenix
2024 ACS population291,4671,642,323
Median household income$81,619$81,332
Median gross rent$1,508$1,582
Median owner-occupied home value$392,800$420,700
State-tax treatmentExcluded2.5% simplified
Salary & Affordability Benchmark

How much do you need to earn to live in Phoenix?

2024 ACS Median Income

$81,332/yr

30% Rule for RentRecommended
$63,280 / year

To afford Phoenix's median gross rent of $1,582/mo at or below 30% of gross earnings, a household needs approximately $30.42/hour (full-time).

28% Rule for HomeownershipMedian Home
$106,671 / year

Modeled against Phoenix's median home benchmark of $420,700 (estimated $2,489/mo ownership carrying cost at typical 7.1% baseline).

Slide to test your income against local rent, taxes, and essentials.
$81,332gross/year
Affordability Status:Comfortable
Rent is 23% of gross income (33% of net pay)

At this income, median rent is only 23% of gross pay, leaving strong room for savings and essentials.

Monthly Budget AllocationEstimated Net Take-Home: $4,768/mo
Tax 30%
Rent 23%
Essentials 18%
Savings 29%
Taxes: $2,033/mo Rent: $1,582/mo Essentials: $1,250/mo Discretionary Margin: $1,936/mo

Time and daily routine

The commute-time distribution produces a weighted one-way estimate of about 24 minutes in Durham and 28 minutes in Phoenix. This citywide estimate cannot capture a specific route, remote-work schedule, or transit choice, so the calculator converts it into an explicit time difference instead of hiding it in a subjective lifestyle score.

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Decision checklist

  • Durham offers a slightly lower median gross rent of $1,508 compared to Phoenix's $1,582.
  • Phoenix has a higher median owner-occupied home value of $420,700 versus Durham's $392,800.
  • Durham features a shorter derived one-way commute estimate of 24 minutes compared to Phoenix's 28 minutes.
  • Phoenix incorporates a 2.50% state individual income-tax reference, while Durham's state tax is excluded.

What each city wins

Durham

A median household income of $81,619 alongside a median home value of $392,800.. Watch a 24-minute derived commute estimate against citywide housing costs..

Phoenix

A balanced income-to-rent profile with a low flat state-tax reference. Watch the $420,700 home-value benchmark is materially above dallas despite similar commute time.

Frequently asked questions

How do the median household incomes compare between Durham and Phoenix?

According to 2024 ACS data, Durham has a median household income of $81,619, while Phoenix records a nearly identical median household income of $81,332.

What are the housing cost differences in Durham versus Phoenix?

Based on 2024 ACS estimates, Durham's median gross rent is $1,508 per month with a median home value of $392,800, whereas Phoenix has a median gross rent of $1,582 per month and a median home value of $420,700.

Source boundary: Core figures come from the 2024 ACS five-year tables linked on each city profile. Commute is derived from B08303 midpoint weighting. A state-tax value without an approved official reference is excluded and disclosed. This comparison becomes index-eligible only after its unique analysis clears the content quality gate.

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