Quick answer
Durham costs $60/month less overall ($1,805 vs $1,865/mo). But Plano'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 Plano
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 Plano at a Glance
| Metric | Durham | Plano |
|---|---|---|
| 1BR Monthly Rent | $1,350 ✓ | $1,750 |
| 2BR Monthly Rent | $1,650 ✓ | $1,750 |
| Median Home Price | $425K ✓ | $475K |
| Avg Utilities/mo | $135 ✓ | $155 |
| Avg Groceries/mo | $320 | $310 ✓ |
| Monthly Cost (1BR) | $1,805 ✓ | $1,865 |
| Walk Score | 64/100 ✓ | 58/100 |
| Transit Score | 38/100 ✓ | 28/100 |
| 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 $1,350/month vs $1,400 in Plano — a $50/month difference, or $600/year. That's close enough that neighborhood choice within each city matters more than the city-level average.
State tax: Plano 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 Durham are $425K vs $475K in Plano. At a 20% down payment, that's a $10,000 difference in upfront cash — significant at early-career savings rates.
Utilities: Plano utilities run $20 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
Plano, TX
Plano 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.
Plano
Hot, humid subtropical. Summers (June-September) reach 95-98°F with 60-70% humidity. Winters are mild (50-65°F). Occasional ice storms; severe thunderstorms and tornado risk May-June.
Job Market
Durham top industries
Plano 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
- →You're buying a home and want more for your money
Move to Plano if…
- →You're a Tech workers
- →You're a Corporate professionals
- →You're a Families seeking suburbs
- →You're a People avoiding state income tax
- →You want zero state income tax
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Durham or Plano cheaper to live in?
Durham is cheaper overall. Monthly costs (1BR rent + utilities + groceries) run $1,805 in Durham vs $1,865 in Plano — a $60/month difference.
Which city is more walkable — Durham or Plano?
Durham is more walkable with a Walk Score of 64/100 vs 58/100. Plano is more car-dependent.
Durham vs Plano: which has lower state income tax?
Plano has lower state income tax (None). On an $80K salary, that saves $3,800/year vs Durham (4.75%).
Is Durham or Plano better for buying a home?
Durham has lower median home prices at $425K vs $475K in Plano — a $50,000 difference on the median home.