Cost of Living in Durham, NC
Durham is about 5% more expensive than the national average.
What Things Cost
Compared to the US average (100)
Census ACS 2024
Census ACS 2024
BEA RPP 2023
BEA RPP 2023
Durham at a Glance
On the median income of $82,916, state income tax is roughly $3,524/year.
Sources: Census ACS 2024, Tax Foundation.
Durham is the grittier, more creative half of the Research Triangle, and it has emerged as one of the most exciting mid-size cities in the South. Duke University and the Research Triangle Park (RTP) biotech corridor provide the economic foundation, but the food scene, arts community, and revitalized downtown have given Durham an identity beyond research. The cost of living is right at the national average, making it a genuine value for the quality of life on offer.
How People Get Around
Source: Census ACS 2024.
Who Lives Here
Source: Census ACS 2024.
Why People Move to Durham
The food scene has earned Durham national recognition, with multiple James Beard nominations and a depth of cuisines reflecting the city's diversity. The American Tobacco Campus is a beautifully converted former factory complex with restaurants, offices, and entertainment. Durham Bulls baseball (yes, from the movie) and the Durham Performing Arts Center add culture. Duke's campus is stunning. For biotech and tech careers, RTP is one of the strongest ecosystems in the Southeast.
Neighborhoods
Downtown Durham and the American Tobacco Campus area are the revitalized core. Ninth Street is the walkable dining and shopping strip near Duke's East Campus. Brightleaf District has character. Old North Durham and Walltown are gentrifying. For affordable options, East Durham and South Durham offer lower prices. RTP itself is a corporate campus zone between Durham and Raleigh.
Things to Consider
Durham has areas of significant poverty and crime alongside its revitalized core. The revitalization is real but uneven, and gentrification is a live conversation. Traffic has worsened as the Triangle has grown. The city is car-dependent outside of the downtown core. The weather is hot and humid in summer. Durham does not have Charlotte's corporate scale or Raleigh's polished suburban feel.
Compare Durham To...
Frequently Asked Questions About Durham
One of the best in the South for its size. Multiple James Beard nominations, a diverse restaurant scene, and a food culture that takes both innovation and tradition seriously. Durham's dining is often rated above Raleigh's and rivals Charlotte's at lower prices. The food halls and independent restaurants in the downtown core are the centerpiece.
Durham is grittier, more creative, and slightly more affordable. Raleigh is more polished, more suburban, and has a larger, more corporate downtown. Both benefit from the Research Triangle's tech and biotech economy. Durham has a better food scene and arts community. Raleigh has better suburban schools. They are 25 miles apart, and many residents live in one and work in the other.
Right at the national average, which is exceptional for a city with this quality of food, culture, and career opportunity. Median home prices around $439,400 buy quality homes in desirable neighborhoods. North Carolina's flat 4.5% income tax is competitive. For someone priced out of Austin, Denver, or Nashville, Durham offers a comparable lifestyle at a lower cost.