salaryDurham is the 4th-largest city in North Carolina that we track, with 291,467 residents. Rent is higher than in 57% of U.S. cities. A typical house costs about 4.5 years of household income. It is a highly educated city: 57.3% of adults have a college degree.
How much money do I need?
To rent here comfortably, you should earn about $71,880 a year. That is $35 an hour at a full-time job.
Is rent cheaper than other North Carolina cities?
No. Rent here is more expensive than in most of North Carolina. It is number 110 of 164 cities from cheapest to most expensive.
Compare Durham with other big cities
Compare Durham to 149 other cities →
How much do households earn in Durham?
Share of households by yearly income. 31.4% of households earn $100,000 or more.
Rent by apartment size in Durham
| Size | Durham | U.S. average |
|---|---|---|
| Studio | $1,451 | $1,338 |
| 1 bedroom | $1,399 | $1,324 |
| 2 bedrooms | $1,604 | $1,509 |
| 3 bedrooms | $1,889 | $1,698 |
| 4 bedrooms | $2,135 | $2,098 |
Median monthly rent plus utilities for all renters, by number of bedrooms.
How expensive is Durham overall?
Everyday prices in the Durham-Chapel Hill metro area are 2% below the U.S. average (index 97.6, U.S. = 100).
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities 2024.
Taxes and bills in Durham
Life in Durham
What jobs pay in Durham
| Job | Median pay | Rent / pay |
|---|---|---|
| Pharmacist | $141,360 | 15.3% |
| Software Developer | $135,620 | 15.9% |
| Lawyer | $132,790 | 16.2% |
| Physician Assistant | $132,670 | 16.3% |
| Nurse Practitioner | $132,300 | 16.3% |
| Operations Manager | $113,930 | 18.9% |
| Computer Systems Analyst | $106,410 | 20.3% |
| Dental Hygienist | $101,460 | 21.3% |
| Civil Engineer | $93,940 | 23.0% |
| Market Research Analyst | $93,110 | 23.2% |
| Accountant | $85,090 | 25.3% |
| Licensed Practical Nurse | $66,950 | 32.2% |
| Plumber | $60,110 | 35.9% |
| Police Officer | $60,100 | 35.9% |
| Electrician | $59,220 | 36.4% |
| HVAC Technician | $59,180 | 36.4% |
| Truck Driver | $53,280 | 40.5% |
| Carpenter | $51,540 | 41.8% |
| Elementary School Teacher | $51,400 | 42.0% |
| Customer Service Representative | $46,800 | 46.1% |
| Medical Assistant | $46,450 | 46.4% |
| Nursing Assistant | $40,560 | 53.2% |
| Firefighter | $38,350 | 56.2% |
| Warehouse Worker | $37,750 | 57.1% |
| Restaurant Cook | $36,170 | 59.6% |
| Server (Waiter/Waitress) | $35,230 | 61.2% |
| Retail Salesperson | $31,790 | 67.8% |
| Cashier | $29,920 | 72.1% |
Is it cheaper to rent or buy in Durham?
Renting is cheaper right now: about $928 a month less.
Owning assumes a typical $392,800 home, 10% down, a 30-year loan at 6.5% and about 1.5% a year for taxes and insurance. You would also need $39,280 for the down payment.
Frequently asked questions
What is the average rent in Durham, NC?
Renting in Durham costs a median of about $1,797 a month in 2026, including utilities. The North Carolina median is $1,496.
How much do I need to make to live in Durham?
To keep rent under 30% of income, you need about $71,880 a year, or $35 an hour at a full-time job.
Is Durham cheap or expensive?
Durham is rated OK: rent takes 24.5% of the typical household income of $88,026. It ranks 110th cheapest of 164 North Carolina cities we track.
How much are property taxes in Durham?
The median homeowner in Durham pays $3,263 a year in property taxes, about 0.83% of the median home value.
Is Durham more expensive than the national average?
Overall prices in the metro area are 2% below 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 $392,800, about 4.5 times the typical yearly household income.
291,467 people live in Durham. Numbers are typical (middle) values.