salaryRent is lower than in 78% of U.S. cities. A typical house costs about 6.8 years of household income, so buying is hard for most locals. Commutes are short, about 18.1 minutes.
How much money do I need?
To rent here comfortably, you should earn about $46,880 a year. That is $23 an hour at a full-time job.
Is rent cheaper than other California cities?
Yes. Rent here is cheaper than in most of California. It is number 24 of 653 cities from cheapest to most expensive.
How much do households earn in Durham?
Share of households by yearly income. 39.6% of households earn $100,000 or more.
Rent by apartment size in Durham
| Size | Durham | U.S. average |
|---|---|---|
| 2 bedrooms | $1,179 | $1,509 |
| 3 bedrooms | $929 | $1,698 |
Median monthly rent plus utilities for all renters, by number of bedrooms.
How expensive is Durham overall?
Everyday prices in California overall are 11% above the U.S. average (index 110.7, U.S. = 100).
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities 2024. City-level data is not published for Durham, so the California figure is shown.
Taxes and bills in Durham
Life in Durham
Is it cheaper to rent or buy in Durham?
Renting is cheaper right now: about $3,686 a month less.
Owning assumes a typical $700,100 home, 10% down, a 30-year loan at 6.5% and about 1.5% a year for taxes and insurance. You would also need $70,010 for the down payment.
Frequently asked questions
What is the average rent in Durham, CA?
Renting in Durham costs a median of about $1,172 a month in 2026, including utilities. The California median is $2,357.
How much do I need to make to live in Durham?
To keep rent under 30% of income, you need about $46,880 a year, or $23 an hour at a full-time job.
Is Durham cheap or expensive?
Durham is rated Cheap: rent takes 13.7% of the typical household income of $102,907. It ranks 24th cheapest of 653 California cities we track.
How much are property taxes in Durham?
The median homeowner in Durham pays $4,304 a year in property taxes, about 0.61% of the median home value.
Is Durham more expensive than the national average?
Overall prices in California are 11% above the U.S. average, according to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis.
How much does a house cost in Durham?
The median home value in Durham is $700,100, about 6.8 times the typical yearly household income.
5,340 people live in Durham. Numbers are typical (middle) values.