Counties › North Carolina

Cost of Living in Durham County, NC

Population 332,353 · Census ACS 2020–2024 5-year estimates

Median rent$1,508
Median home value$389,400
Median household income$82,316

The median rent in Durham County, NC is $1,508/month, 23% higher than the North Carolina median and 7% higher than the U.S. median. The median home value is $389,400, 17% higher than the national median. Households earn a median of $82,316 a year, 14% higher than the state median.

Affordability

Rent as a share of median income: 22.0%
Income needed for median rent (30% rule): $60,320/yr
Home price-to-income ratio: 4.7×
Est. mortgage on the median home (20% down, 6.5% for 30 yrs, principal + interest): $1,969/mo

Run your own numbers: mortgage calculator · hourly to salary

Durham County vs. North Carolina vs. U.S.

Durham CountyNorth CarolinaU.S.
Median rent$1,508$1,228$1,413
Median home value$389,400$288,900$332,700
Median household income$82,316$72,388$80,734
Homeownership rate55.5%66.6%65.2%
Bachelor's degree or higher55.2%35.7%35.7%
Poverty rate11.5%13.0%12.5%
Unemployment rate3.9%4.7%5.2%
Work from home22.9%16.3%15.1%
Median age36.139.138.9

FAQ

What is the average rent in Durham County, NC?

The median gross rent in Durham County, NC is $1,508 per month (ACS 2020–2024 5-year estimate).

How much do I need to earn to live in Durham County, NC?

Using the common 30% rule, renting a median-priced home takes about $60,320 a year in gross income.

Is Durham County, NC expensive to live in?

Rent there is 7% higher than the U.S. median, and the median home costs about 4.7 times the median household income.

Other counties in North Carolina

Wake County, NCRent $1,623 · Income $105,768Mecklenburg County, NCRent $1,627 · Income $87,005Guilford County, NCRent $1,163 · Income $68,642Forsyth County, NCRent $1,098 · Income $67,165Cumberland County, NCRent $1,222 · Income $61,291Buncombe County, NCRent $1,362 · Income $74,436

Counties with a similar cost of living

Kootenai County, IDRent $1,492 · Income $81,861San Juan County, WARent $1,512 · Income $84,800Essex County, NJRent $1,531 · Income $80,789Whatcom County, WARent $1,555 · Income $81,784Rutherford County, TNRent $1,502 · Income $85,470Pinal County, AZRent $1,537 · Income $80,266

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates. Estimates have margins of error, especially for smaller places. This product uses the Census Bureau Data API but is not endorsed or certified by the Census Bureau.

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