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)
These figures are county medians, not a personal budget. Use them to frame rent, ownership, and income tradeoffs, then account for household size, commute, financing, insurance, taxes, debt, and local availability before making a decision.
How Durham County Compares
Median monthly rent comparison
Detailed Housing Stats
National Ranking
Affordability Rank
Durham County ranks #2,879 of 3,142 counties for affordability (bottom 8%)
Sourced county brief
Durham County Median Gross Rent $531 Above State Mean
The median gross rent in Durham County is $1,508 per month, which is $531 higher than the North Carolina unweighted county mean of $977. Median home value in the county is $389,400, while the state unweighted county mean for home values is $235,312. For owner-occupied units, the median selected monthly owner cost was estimated at $1,477, compared to the state unweighted county mean of $927. The canonical rent-to-income percentage is 29.4%, which is the official ACS B25071 gross rent as a percentage of household income (GRAPI). This official GRAPI is 0.5 percentage points higher than the state unweighted county mean of 28.9%. The median renter-household income for Durham County is $57,287. These metrics are part of the U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020-2024 5-Year Estimates. See ACS table B25071 for the underlying estimate.
Source record
- U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020-2024 5-Year Estimates — B25064 Median Gross Rent
- U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020-2024 5-Year Estimates — B25071 GRAPI
- U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020-2024 5-Year Estimates — B25077 Median Home Value
- U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020-2024 5-Year Estimates — B25088 Selected Monthly Owner Costs
- U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020-2024 5-Year Estimates — B25119 Household Income by Tenure
Data version acs5-2020-2024 · Method cost-brief-v1
Cost of Living Advisory: Durham County
Affordability Verdict
ACS B25071 estimates median gross rent at 29.4% of renter household income in Durham County, which is below the 30% affordability benchmark. This is a median percentage among renter-occupied units, not the share of households above a threshold.
Rent vs. Own
Median gross rent is $1,508 per month; median selected monthly owner costs are $1,477. These ACS medians describe different tenure groups and are not a personalized rent-versus-buy calculation.
Income Needed
Using the common 30% budgeting benchmark, $60,320 in annual gross income would allocate 30% to the county's median gross rent. This is a reproducible illustration, not evidence that a particular household can afford housing.
Regional Context
The North Carolina unweighted mean of county median rents is $977 per month. Durham County's $1,508 median is 54.4% above that comparison value.
Data version acs5-2020-2024 · Method cost-advisory-v2
Affordability Calculator
See how your income compares to housing costs in Durham County
Rent Burden
22.0%
of gross income
Max Housing (28% Rule)
$1,921
per month
Owner Cost Burden
21.5%
of gross income
The median home in Durham County may be a stretch
Median home value is $389,400. Estimated monthly cost: $3,109 vs. your max of $1,921.
Rent Affordability Guide
Income Needed Calculator
See how much you need to earn to comfortably afford housing
$0/yr
Needed to stay within recommended threshold
$0/yr
Needed to stay within recommended threshold
$0/yr
Needed to stay within recommended threshold
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
What is the cost of living in Durham County, North Carolina?
What is the median rent in Durham County?
Is Durham County affordable?
How does Durham County's rent compare to the state average?
What is the median home value in Durham County?
Counties with Similar Housing Costs
Planning a Move?
Researching the cost of living in Durham County, North Carolina? Compare moving quotes from top providers and save on your relocation.
Compare Moving QuotesCompare Mortgage Rates in Durham County
Whether you're buying in Durham County, North Carolina, or refinancing, compare rates from top lenders using the terms each lender provides.
See Today's RatesData: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year Estimates (2020-2024). Data is informational only and is not personalized financial advice.
CostByCounty participates in affiliate programs. We may earn a commission when you use our links, at no extra cost to you.