Cost of Living in Durham, NC 2023

Are you considering relocating to Durham, NC? Do you want to know what the cost of living is like in this city before committing? You're in luck! We got all the answers for your questions right here.

In this blog post, we'll dive into what the cost of living in Durham, NC looks like for someone renting an apartment. From information on rental prices and utility costs to grocery expenses and more - everything you need to know about making your future home base in the City of Medicine will be covered. So let's get started!

Durham Housing Costs

Rents are on the rise around the country, and Durham is no exception. According to the latest Rent Report on Durham, the median rent index is $1,200 for a one-bedroom apartment and $1,442 for a two-bedroom. Rents are up by 0.7% in comparison to this time last year. Durham's year-over-year rent growth is lower than North Carolina's average of 4.7% and higher than the national average of 3.3%.

One of the most expensive cities in the state is Morrisville, which has seen a 4.2% growth in rent prices year over year, with the current median rent for a two-bedroom apartment at $1,487. Other major cities include Apex and Raleigh with rent increases of 2.3% and 4.3%, respectively. Wake Forest also commands high rents, but their rates decreased by 0.9%

Durham Transportation Costs

Durham’s official public transportation operator is GoDurham and GoTriangle. Public transit began in 1991 and was previously run by Duke Power Company. Today, GoDurham operates 24 bus routes, and GoTriangle runs the Robertson Scholar Express (RSX).

Bus service runs seven days a week and begins around 5:30 am and goes until 12:30 am. With slightly limited hours on Sundays and holidays of 6:30 am and 9:30 pm.

If you're a single adult without children, you'll spend about $5,477 for transportation in Durham throughout the year. A family of four, including two working adults and two children, will pay $14,484 for transportation in one year. Thankfully, gasoline prices are around $3.42 per gallon, much lower than the national average of $3.17.

Durham Food Costs

The state of North Carolina is the birthplace of Pepsi, Cheerwine, Mt. Olive Pickles, and Krispy Kreme. Not surprisingly, the people of Durham are proud of their food and beverage options, offering dining options, where you can find the city’s famous biscuits and barbeque or black garlic ice cream.

Thankfully, dining out in Durham is relatively cheap and costs an average of $15 for a meal at an inexpensive restaurant. A three-course dinner for two people at a mid-range restaurant runs $66.25 without alcohol or dessert.

Single adults without children can expect to spend at least $3,926 on food per year. However, if you're a family of four with two working adults and two children, you can expect to pay $11,564 per year for food.

You can anticipate costs similar to the national average for food items purchased from the local Durham Co-op Market, Bulldega Urban Market, or King’s Supermarket. For example, one gallon of regular milk will run you $3.40 in the grocery store, with the national average being $3.36.

Durham Healthcare Costs

Whether you visit the doctor minimally, on an as-needed basis, or have a medical condition that requires you to see them more regularly, having medical insurance helps keep your costs manageable. In addition to routine visits, it will be nice to know you’ll be able to afford the care you need with the help of medical insurance should you encounter any emergencies in your new hometown.

Healthcare should always be considered an essential item, which means you should account for proper medical care when planning your budget in Durham. A single adult without children will pay around $3,049 for medical care over the year. Two working adults with two children will pay $10,478.

Durham Utility Costs

Weather in Durham can be somewhat temperamental. The summer months bring humid heat and a muggy climate, while the winters are short but very cold, wet, and partly cloudy. The coldest month in Durham is in January, with an average overnight temperature of 41°. Conversely, July is the hottest month of summer, where the average daytime high is typically 80°.

To stay warm through the relatively cold winter nights and cool through the hot, muggy summer, you'll need to account for higher utilities. Durham’s basic utilities include electricity, heating, cooling, water, and garbage, running $135.87 for a 915-sq. ft. apartment. Adding on the similar internet with 60 Mbps or more with unlimited data, cable/ADSL will cost you an extra $65 for a total of $200.87 each month.

Before you move, it’s always a good idea to know how much utilities will cost in an apartment. This knowledge will allow you to budget accordingly for this sometimes overlooked expense.

Durham Fitness and Entertainment Costs

Durham has fitness and entertainment opportunities for everyone. However, if you like to spend your time in a local gym for workouts, you’ll want to consider club membership costs at Fitness World, Courage Fitness Durham, Velocity Fitness, or any others in the area. Thankfully, these costs are relatively low, as a fitness club membership fee for one adult costs $39.17 monthly.

If you’re looking for some entertainment, you can purchase a seat at the local cinema for $12 without snacks or drinks. Otherwise, check out some of the museums in town, like the Museum of Life and Science, the Museum of Durham History, and the Nasher Museum of Art at Duke University.

Durham has countless parks for those who prefer to stay outdoors, including Durham Central Park, West Point on the Eno City Park, and Forest Hills Park.

Other Expenses to Consider in Durham

North Carolina has a flat state income tax of 5.25%. Anyone looking to purchase a home in North Carolina can anticipate property taxes that fall below the national average. The sales tax rate in North Carolina is 4.75%, with the county sales tax rate in Durham at 2.25%.

Don’t forget that you’ll need to account for additional expenses if you are moving out of state, including cross-country movers, storage, hotels, and transportation. Big moves like this may also require even more fees, such as apartment application fees, security deposits, pet deposits, and other add-ons, so be sure to plan as best as you can for these additional expenses.

You’ll have to furnish your new apartment once you move, which can add up quickly if you’re not careful. Thankfully, you can learn tips on how to decorate your apartment on a budget and stick to it, so you are sure not to go overboard.

What Salary Do You Need to Live in Durham?

If you know what type of lifestyle you plan to lead in Durham, you can begin figuring out your recommended salary. The living wage in Durham is $18.40 per hour, which is the basic wage required to pay for essentials such as housing, food, and necessities. The living wage will force you to live pretty frugally, though, as it does not account for any extra costs like entertainment or dining out. However, according to the U.S. Census Bureau, the median household income in Durham is currently $66,623, or about $33.82 per hour.

Alternatively, you could look at the average salary index in Durham, which is $36,881 per year, roughly $18.91 per hour. Keep in mind that the living wage, average salary, and recommended salary are three very different figures. The 30% rule for rent can help you to determine your recommended salary in Durham.

You should not spend more than one-third, or 30%, of your gross income on rent to live comfortably, according to the 30% rule. For example, according to this rule, if your rent is close to the median for a one-bedroom apartment in Durham at $1,165, your monthly wages should be at least $3,883 per month or $46,600.

While this figure might seem easily attainable, this recommended salary is for a very basic lifestyle. You’ll need to pursue a higher salary, a less expensive apartment, or both if you anticipate having additional living costs, such as dining, entertainment, etc.

Thankfully, the typical annual salaries for common professions in Durham are highly competitive. The three highest typical annual salaries belong to Management, Computer, and Mathematical, and Architecture and Engineering positions, respectively.

Job Market in Durham

Durham has a similar job market to similar-sized metro areas. The biggest industries are education, health care, research, and information technology. The city’s largest employers include IBM Corporation, SAS Institute Inc., WakeMed Health & Hospitals, Cisco Systems Inc., BASF Corporation, and Biogen Idec Inc.

Durham's Duke University is another, significant employer in the city. Additionally, graduates of the university prove themselves in the industries in the surrounding areas.

The unemployment rate in Durham is 3.1%, falling 0.9% below the current national average.

Make Your Next Move: Start Apartment Hunting

Whether you are looking to move somewhere with a booming culinary scene or a low cost of living, Durham might be the place for you. Register with Apartment List today and start checking out the hundreds of available apartments to rent in Durham!

If Durham doesn't seem like the place for you, learn about the Best Places to Live in NC and the cheapest places there.

FAQs: Cost of Living in Durham in 2023

How much money do you need to live comfortably in Durham?

We recommend following the 30% rule when planning your budget. If you’re renting a one-bedroom apartment in Durham for $1,191 a month, your ideal annual income should be around $47,640, or approximately $22.82 per hour. It's also s worth considering MIT’s living wage estimate for Durham, which is currently $23.81 per hour. This figure reflects the minimum income needed to cover basic living expenses without room for savings or debt repayment.

Where is the most affordable place to live in Durham?

Renting a one-bedroom apartment in Durham is much more affordable compared to other major cities, with an average cost of $1,191 per month. If you’re looking to stretch your budget further, consider more affordable neighborhoods like Duke Forest where rents start at $800. It's a good idea to check on the safety of any inexpensive neighborhood before signing a lease.

What is the average electric bill in Durham?

Your overall utility bills in Durham, NC will cost around $185.06 per month. However, with Durham's short but cold and wet winters and humid summers, you should plan ahead for spikes. Adding on a cell phone bill and Internet will add on $127.22, for a total of $312.28. You can also get a better understanding of your utilities with our handy calculator.

How Far Is Durham from Raleigh?

Durham to Raleigh is 24.5 miles via I-40 W and NC-147 N. It takes about 30-minutes to drive from Durham to Raleigh.

How Far Is Durham from Charlotte?

Durham to Charlotte is 142.9 miles via I-85 N. It takes just over two hours to drive between Durham and Charlotte.

What Is the Population of Durham?

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the population of Durham, North Carolina was 285,527 in 2021.

What Is a Good Salary in Durham?

The U.S. Census Bureau reports that the average salary for Durham, North Carolina residents is $66,623. However, to stick to the rule of spending only 30% of your monthly income on rent, you need an income of $46,660 to live comfortably in a one bedroom apartment in Durham.