Durham, North Carolina has an overall cost of living index of 91.9, which is 8.1 points below the US average of 100 — making it more affordable than most American cities. Renters pay a median of $1,508 per month, while the typical home is valued around $392,800. Households earn a median of $81,619 per year, leaving rent at a manageable share of income for many residents. Air quality is good, with an average AQI of 33. Below: housing costs, local wages by occupation, neighborhoods, climate, jobs and major industries, and healthcare access — all drawn from US Census, BEA, BLS, HUD, EPA, and NOAA data.
Median Household Income
$81,619
Annual · Census ACS
Median Gross Rent
$1,508
Per month · Census ACS
Median Home Value
$392,800
Census ACS
Cost of Living Index
91.9
BEA RPP · US avg = 100
Studio FMR
$1,417
HUD Fair Market Rent
1BR Fair Market Rent
$1,507
HUD FMR
2BR Fair Market Rent
$1,711
HUD FMR
3BR Fair Market Rent
$2,117
HUD FMR
HUD Fair Market Rent = 40th percentile gross rent · FY2024
Each category is indexed to the US average of 100. Below 100 = cheaper than average.
Overall
91.9
Goods
96.5
Rents / Housing
69.1
Services
95.7
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (metro-level)
| Occupation | Median Annual Wage |
|---|---|
| 💻Software Developer | $125,090 |
| 🏥Registered Nurse | $90,700 |
| 📚Elementary Teacher | $63,830 |
| ⚡Electrician | $60,360 |
| 📊Accountant | $74,950 |
| 🔧Plumber | $59,490 |
| ⚕️Nurse Practitioner | N/A |
| 🏗️Civil Engineer | $98,550 |
| 👔Operations Manager | $133,040 |
| 📈Market Research Analyst | $75,230 |
| 🏢Health Services Manager | $120,090 |
| 🚛Truck Driver | $53,680 |
| 👨⚕️Physician Assistant | N/A |
| 🩺Surgeon | N/A |
| 🧮Data Scientist | N/A |
| 🖥️Computer Engineer | N/A |
Source: BLS OEWS 2023 (metro-level data)
Population
291,467
Latest estimate
Median Age
35.1 yrs
Census ACS
Average AQI
33.0
Source: EPA AirNow
Total Neighborhoods
5
Tracked in our database
Avg Walk Score
38
0–100 scale
Avg Median Rent
$1,468
Per month
Avg Home Value
$443,650
Census ACS
January Avg
42°F
July Avg
80°F
Sunny Days / Year
—
Annual Snowfall
—
Climate category: Temperate · Source: NOAA/NCEI 30-year normals.
Healthcare Score
31.2
poor
Hospitals
4
Doctors per 1,000
1.00
Insurance Coverage
89.3%
What is the cost of living index for Durham?
Durham has a Regional Price Parity (RPP) index of 91.9. The US national average is 100, so Durham is 8.1 points below the national average.
What is the median rent in Durham?
The median gross rent in Durham is $1,508 per month according to US Census ACS data.
What is the median household income in Durham?
The median household income in Durham is $81,619 per year.
What is the median home value in Durham?
The median home value in Durham is $392,800 based on the latest Census ACS survey.
How is the air quality in Durham?
Durham has an average Air Quality Index (AQI) of 33.0, which is rated "Good" by the EPA. Lower AQI values indicate cleaner air.
What are the taxes like in Durham?
Tax data for North Carolina is not yet available.
Data last updated: December 1, 2026 · Sources: US Census ACS, BEA RPP, BLS OEWS, HUD FMR, EPA AirNow, Tax Foundation · Methodology
