Quick answer
Durham costs $15/month less overall ($1,805 vs $1,820/mo). But Houston's None state income tax erases some of that gap — on an $80K salary, the tax difference is $3,800/year.
City Comparison · 2026
Durham vs Houston
Side-by-side on rent, home prices, taxes, walkability, jobs, and climate — with a straight verdict for each type of mover.
Last updated: April 23, 2026
Durham vs Houston at a Glance
| Metric | Durham | Houston |
|---|---|---|
| 1BR Monthly Rent | $1,350 | $1,620 ✓ |
| 2BR Monthly Rent | $1,650 | $1,620 ✓ |
| Median Home Price | $425K | $305K ✓ |
| Avg Utilities/mo | $135 ✓ | $190 |
| Avg Groceries/mo | $320 ✓ | $350 |
| Monthly Cost (1BR) | $1,805 ✓ | $1,820 |
| Walk Score | 64/100 ✓ | 48/100 |
| Transit Score | 38/100 ✓ | 36/100 |
| State Income Tax | 4.75% | None ✓ |
Monthly cost = 1BR rent + utilities + groceries for one person. ✓ marks the lower/better value.
Cost of Living: What the Numbers Actually Mean
Rent gap: Durham's 1BR averages $1,280/month vs $1,350 in Houston — a $70/month difference, or $840/year. That's close enough that neighborhood choice within each city matters more than the city-level average.
State tax: Houston charges None state income tax vs 4.75% in Durham. On an $80K salary that's a $3,800/year difference. On $120K, the gap grows to $5,700 vs $0 — important context if you're choosing between tech job offers.
Home buying: Median homes in Houston are $305K vs $425K in Durham. At a 20% down payment, that's a $24,000 difference in upfront cash — significant at early-career savings rates.
Utilities: Houston utilities run $55 more per month than Durham.
Walkability, Transit & Daily Life
Durham, NC
Durham's walkability means you can genuinely live without a car in the right neighborhoods.
TOP NEIGHBORHOODS
Houston, TX
Houston is partially walkable in denser neighborhoods but car-dependent in most areas.
TOP NEIGHBORHOODS
Climate
Durham
Humid subtropical with hot, humid summers (85-90°F) and mild winters (45-55°F). Approximately 100 humid days annually; moderate precipitation year-round.
Houston
Hot and humid year-round; summers brutal (95°F+, feels 105°F+); mild winters; hurricane risk June–Nov
Job Market
Durham top industries
Houston top industries
Who Should Pick Which City
Move to Durham if…
- →You're a Biotech & pharma professionals
- →You're a Life sciences researchers
- →You're a Academics
- →You're a Young professionals seeking affordable big-city vibe
Move to Houston if…
- →You're a energy sector workers
- →You're a healthcare professionals
- →You're a remote workers
- →You're a families on a budget
- →You want zero state income tax
- →You're buying a home and want more for your money
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Durham or Houston cheaper to live in?
Durham is cheaper overall. Monthly costs (1BR rent + utilities + groceries) run $1,805 in Durham vs $1,820 in Houston — a $15/month difference.
Which city is more walkable — Durham or Houston?
Durham is more walkable with a Walk Score of 64/100 vs 48/100. Houston is more car-dependent.
Durham vs Houston: which has lower state income tax?
Houston has lower state income tax (None). On an $80K salary, that saves $3,800/year vs Durham (4.75%).
Is Durham or Houston better for buying a home?
Houston has lower median home prices at $305K vs $425K in Durham — a $120,000 difference on the median home.