Cost of Living in Durham, North Carolina
Durham has a population of about 291,467. The median household income is $81,619, median gross rent is $1,508/month, and the median home value is $392,800. These figures come from 2020-2024 ACS 5-Year estimates, the latest full-coverage Census baseline for U.S. cities.
How current is this? Census city data is released with a lag because it is survey-based and designed for consistent coverage across small and large places. Use it as an official affordability baseline; current apartment listings and mortgage rates may differ.
Is Durham expensive to live in?
Compared with the national median in this dataset, rent in Durham is 9% below the national median and home values are 5% above the national median. Household income here is about the national median. Monthly rent represents roughly 22% of the median annual household income, a rough affordability signal for renters.
Frequently asked questions
What is the average rent in Durham?
The median gross rent in Durham, North Carolina is $1,508 per month in the 2020-2024 ACS 5-Year estimates.
What is the median home price in Durham?
The median owner-occupied home value in Durham is $392,800 in the 2020-2024 ACS 5-Year estimates.
How much do people earn in Durham?
The median household income in Durham is $81,619 per year in the 2020-2024 ACS 5-Year estimates.
Data source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2020-2024 ACS 5-Year Estimates. Local database last refreshed 2026-07-11.