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Durham-Chapel Hill, NC

Cost of living in Durham, North Carolina

Durham County, NC

Part of the Durham Metro Area

Estimated monthly cost
$3,742/mo
for a single person, all categories combined

Population 329,405 · Last updated May 21, 2026

Cost breakdown

Single person, by category, per month.

Rent $1,637 44%
Federal tax $625 17%
Healthcare $480 13%
Groceries $327 9%
Transport $250 7%
Energy $187 5%
State tax $181 5%
Water $55 1%

Rent in Durham

Fair Market Rents by bedroom count.

Studio
$1,548
per month
1 bedroom
$1,637
per month
2 bedroom
$1,872
per month
3 bedroom
$2,334
per month
4 bedroom
$2,807
per month

Source: HUD FMR FY2025

Income and earnings in Durham

Annual earnings figures from the Census ACS.

Household income
$79,501
per year
Individual earnings
$48,268
per year
Per capita
$46,931
per year

Source: ACS 2019-2023 5-Year.

Home values in Durham

Average values reported by homeowners.

Average home value
$351,700
Annual property tax
$2,951

Source: ACS 2019-2023 5-Year

Energy costs in Durham

Estimated monthly electricity and gas costs.

Electricity
$147
per month · 14¢/kWh
Natural gas
$40
per month
Annual total
$2,244
per year

Source: EIA

Healthcare in Durham

Insurance premiums and coverage rates.

Individual premium
$480
per month
Family premium
$1,350
per month
Uninsured rate
11.6%

Source: ACS + national avg. Marketplace benchmark premiums are second-lowest Silver plan estimates and do not reflect employer plans, subsidies, or out-of-pocket costs. This is not healthcare advice.

Taxes in Durham

State and local tax rates for North Carolina.

State income tax
4.5%
Flat rate
State sales tax
4.8%
Combined sales tax
7.0%
incl. average local

Tax rates change. Consult a qualified tax professional for advice on your specific situation. This is not tax advice.

Transportation in Durham

Commute patterns and estimated costs.

Average commute
22.9 min
Drive alone
65.8%
Public transit
2.0%
Work from home
20.2%

Source: ACS

Monthly cost estimates for Durham

What it costs to live in Durham each month.

Single person
$3,742
per month
  • Rent $1,637
  • Energy $187
  • Water $55
  • Groceries $327
  • Transport $250
  • Healthcare $480
  • Federal tax $625
  • State tax $181
Couple
$5,186
per month
  • Rent $1,872
  • Energy $224
  • Water $65
  • Groceries $542
  • Transport $350
  • Healthcare $864
  • Federal tax $971
  • State tax $298
Family
$7,780
per month
  • Rent $2,334
  • Energy $280
  • Water $75
  • Groceries $822
  • Transport $450
  • Healthcare $1,350
  • Childcare $1,200
  • Federal tax $971
  • State tax $298

Frequently asked questions about Durham

Common questions about cost of living, rent and salary.

What is the average rent in Durham?

In Durham, North Carolina, a one-bedroom apartment averages $1,637 per month, a two-bedroom averages $1,872 per month, a three-bedroom averages $2,334 per month, according to HUD Fair Market Rent data.

What is the average salary in Durham?

In Durham, North Carolina, the average household income is $79,501 per year and individual earnings for full-time workers average $48,268 per year, according to U.S. Census Bureau data.

What is the cost of living in Durham?

The estimated cost of living in Durham, North Carolina is approximately $3,742 per month for a single person, $5,186 for a couple, $7,780 for a family. This includes rent, utilities, groceries, transportation, healthcare, and taxes.

What is the sales tax rate in Durham?

The combined sales tax rate in Durham, North Carolina is 7.00%, which includes the North Carolina state rate of 4.75% plus an average local rate of 2.25%.

Is Durham an affordable place to live?

Based on the data, a single person in Durham, North Carolina would need approximately $3,742 per month to cover rent, utilities, food, transport, healthcare, and taxes. The average household income is $79,501 per year ($6,625 per month). Durham has a moderate cost of living relative to local earnings.

How much does healthcare cost in Durham?

The ACA marketplace benchmark premium in Durham, North Carolina is approximately $480 per month for an individual. Approximately 11.6% of residents are uninsured. Actual costs vary based on employer coverage, plan type, and individual circumstances.

What are house prices in Durham?

The average home value in Durham, North Carolina is $351,700, with average annual property taxes of $2,951, according to U.S. Census Bureau data.

How does Durham compare to other areas?

You can compare Durham, North Carolina with any other US county using our comparison tool at /compare. Durham is in the Durham-Chapel Hill, NC metro area.

Other counties in North Carolina

Browse the full list of counties in North Carolina, ranked by cost of living.

See all counties in North Carolina

Compare Durham with another area

Put two counties side by side to see how rent, taxes and everyday costs stack up.

About this data

All figures on this page come from official U.S. government sources, listed below.

  • HUD FMR FY2025
  • ACS 2019-2023 5-Year
  • EIA
  • ACS + national avg
  • ACS
  • USDA + BEA RPP
Methodology All data sources