salaryRent is lower than in 74% of U.S. cities. That makes it a rare mix of above-average pay and below-average rent. A typical house costs about 4.1 years of household income. Commutes are short, about 17.2 minutes. It is a highly educated city: 75.4% of adults have a college degree.
How much money do I need?
To rent here comfortably, you should earn about $49,120 a year. That is $24 an hour at a full-time job.
Is rent cheaper than other New Hampshire cities?
Yes. Rent here is cheaper than in most of New Hampshire. It is number 4 of 26 cities from cheapest to most expensive.
How much do households earn in Durham?
Share of households by yearly income. 47.4% of households earn $100,000 or more.
Rent by apartment size in Durham
| Size | Durham | U.S. average |
|---|---|---|
| Studio | $875 | $1,338 |
| 1 bedroom | $1,327 | $1,324 |
| 2 bedrooms | $2,483 | $1,509 |
| 3 bedrooms | $3,219 | $1,698 |
| 4 bedrooms | $1,367 | $2,098 |
Median monthly rent plus utilities for all renters, by number of bedrooms.
How expensive is Durham overall?
Everyday prices in New Hampshire overall are 4% above the U.S. average (index 104.2, U.S. = 100).
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities 2024. City-level data is not published for Durham, so the New Hampshire 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 $2,227 a month less.
Owning assumes a typical $498,000 home, 10% down, a 30-year loan at 6.5% and about 1.5% a year for taxes and insurance. You would also need $49,800 for the down payment.
Frequently asked questions
What is the average rent in Durham, NH?
Renting in Durham costs a median of about $1,228 a month in 2026, including utilities. The New Hampshire median is $1,916.
How much do I need to make to live in Durham?
To keep rent under 30% of income, you need about $49,120 a year, or $24 an hour at a full-time job.
Is Durham cheap or expensive?
Durham is rated Cheap: rent takes 12.2% of the typical household income of $120,867. It ranks 4th cheapest of 26 New Hampshire cities we track.
How much are property taxes in Durham?
The median homeowner in Durham pays $10,000+ a year in property taxes, about 2.01% of the median home value.
Is Durham more expensive than the national average?
Overall prices in New Hampshire are 4% 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 $498,000, about 4.1 times the typical yearly household income.
10,681 people live in Durham. Numbers are typical (middle) values.