Cost of Living in Durham County, North Carolina
At a Glance
Rent burden measured as median gross rent as a percentage of renter household income (Census ACS B25071)
How Durham County Compares
Median monthly rent comparison
Detailed Housing Stats
National Ranking
Affordability Rank
Durham County ranks #2,920 of 3,144 counties for affordability (bottom 7%)
Data Story
About Cost of Living in Durham County, North Carolina
Durham rents strain incomes despite growth
Durham County's rent-to-income ratio of 21.4% significantly exceeds the national average of 18%, marking it as the second-most-strained housing market in this sample. Residents earning $79,501 pay $1,415 monthly—the highest rent in this county group—driven by Research Triangle economic vitality.
Urban pressure above state norms
Durham's 21.4% rent-to-income ratio ranks it above North Carolina's state average of 18.6%, second only to Cumberland County in affordability pressure. The $1,415 median rent reflects Durham's role as a tech and biotech hub, creating demand that drives prices upward across the region.
Urban premium over surrounding counties
Durham's $1,415 rent far exceeds rural and coastal alternatives: it's $552 more than Davidson, $530 more than Duplin, and $108 more than coastal Dare County. Only the coastal premium of Dare County approaches Durham's pricing, despite Durham's inland location within the Research Triangle.
Renters and owners both pay steep costs
Renters pay $1,415 while owners pay $1,430 monthly on a $79,501 income, making Durham the most expensive county overall in both tenure categories. These costs consume roughly 21.4% of gross income for renters and 21.6% for owners—among the highest burdens in this comparison.
Durham demands premium income for opportunity
Moving to Durham for Research Triangle jobs means budgeting roughly 21% of income for housing—significantly more than state and national averages. Compare Durham's $1,415 rents against smaller piedmont alternatives like Davie ($889) to assess whether the career opportunity justifies the housing cost premium you'll pay.
Cost of Living Advisory: Durham County
Affordability Verdict
Housing in Durham County is affordable. The median rent is $1,415/month against a median household income of $79,501, putting rent at 21.4% of income.
Rent vs. Own
At $1,415/month rent versus $1,430/month in owner costs, renting is roughly $15/month cheaper — a 1% difference.
Income Needed
To afford the median rent without exceeding 30% of gross income, a household needs to earn approximately $56,600/year. For owner costs at the 28% rule, the required income is roughly $61,286/year. With a median household income of $79,501, most households can comfortably afford rent here. Notably, 28.0% of renter households in Durham County are cost-burdened, spending more than 30% of income on housing.
Regional Context
Within North Carolina, Durham County is more affordable than New Hanover County by roughly 5% ($1,415/mo vs $1,343/mo).
Affordability Calculator
See how your income compares to housing costs in Durham County
Rent Burden
21.4%
of gross income
Max Housing (28% Rule)
$1,855
per month
Owner Cost Burden
21.6%
of gross income
The median home in Durham County may be a stretch
Median home value is $351,700. Estimated monthly cost: $2,808 vs. your max of $1,855.
Rent Affordability Guide
Income Needed Calculator
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Based on the 30% rule for rent and 28% rule for housing costs (mortgage + owner costs). Mortgage estimate assumes 20% down, 7.2% interest, 30-year fixed.
Frequently Asked Questions
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See Today's RatesData: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year Estimates (2019-2023) — Informational only. Not financial or legal advice.
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