What Salary Do You Need to Live in Durham, NC?

To live comfortably in Durham, a household needs to earn roughly $70,000/year. That's about $5,833/month before taxes.

The Number: $70,000/year

At $70,000 per year, a household in Durham can afford median-priced rental housing at roughly 28% of gross income.

This is based on Durham's median monthly rent of $1,670 and the 28% housing guideline. Source: Census ACS 2024.

Durham at a Glance

Median rent$1,670/mo
Median home price$439,400
Median household income$82,916
State income tax4.25% flat
Sales tax7.5%

Sources: Census ACS 2024, Tax Foundation.

For Single Residents

A single person can live comfortably in Durham on roughly $45,000/year. That's about $3,750/month before taxes.

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Note: Salary estimates are based on the 28% housing guideline applied to median rents from Census ACS 2024. Individual circumstances vary. Full disclaimer.

Salary Questions About Durham

The median monthly rent is $1,670. Using the 30% guideline, you need about $67,000/year to afford this comfortably.

The median home price is $439,400. With a 20% down payment, you would need roughly $87,880 saved and a household income to support the mortgage payments.

The median household income is $82,916/year. Our recommended salary of $70,000/year is near the median, reflecting a comfortable (not extravagant) standard of living.