Salary Comparison
Weighers: Durham vs Boulder
Side-by-side salary, take-home pay, cost of living, and lifestyle score.
Durham, NC
$44,983/yr
Boulder, CO
$54,222/yr
Our recommendation: Durham, NC
Durham offers $321 more per month in disposable income, giving a stronger financial outcome despite a lower gross salary.
Full Breakdown
Durham
Boulder
Diff (A−B)
Annual Gross Salary
$44,983
$54,222
$9,239
A vs B
Monthly Take-Home
After estimated federal + state taxes
$2,737
$3,299
$562
A vs B
Cost of Living Index
Lower is more affordable. US avg = 100
94
127
-33 pts
A vs B
Monthly Living Costs
Housing, food, transport, utilities, healthcare
$2,520
$3,403
$883
A vs B
Monthly Rent
$1,450
$2,150
$700
A vs B
Monthly Disposable
$217
$-104
+$321
A vs B
Purchasing Power Score
Take-home ÷ living costs. Higher is better
1.09×
0.97×
+0.12×
A vs B
Lifestyle Score
3/10 (Tight)
3/10 (Tight)
+0
A vs B
Durham — Full Details
Boulder — Full Details
Salary estimates based on BLS metro data. Cost of living from regional price indices. All figures are estimates; verify with employers before making decisions.