Quick answer
Durham costs $170/month less overall ($1,805 vs $1,975/mo). But Raleigh's 4.5% state income tax erases some of that gap — on an $80K salary, the tax difference is $200/year.
City Comparison · 2026
Durham vs Raleigh
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 Raleigh at a Glance
| Metric | Durham | Raleigh |
|---|---|---|
| 1BR Monthly Rent | $1,350 ✓ | $1,860 |
| 2BR Monthly Rent | $1,650 ✓ | $1,860 |
| Median Home Price | $425K | $420K ✓ |
| Avg Utilities/mo | $135 ✓ | $145 |
| Avg Groceries/mo | $320 ✓ | $350 |
| Monthly Cost (1BR) | $1,805 ✓ | $1,975 |
| Walk Score | 64/100 ✓ | 34/100 |
| Transit Score | 38/100 ✓ | 25/100 |
| State Income Tax | 4.75% | 4.5% ✓ |
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 $1,480 in Raleigh — a $130/month difference, or $1,560/year. That's close enough that neighborhood choice within each city matters more than the city-level average.
State tax: Raleigh charges 4.5% state income tax vs 4.75% in Durham. On an $80K salary that's a $200/year difference. On $120K, the gap grows to $5,700 vs $5,400 — important context if you're choosing between tech job offers.
Home buying: Median homes in Raleigh are $420K vs $425K in Durham. At a 20% down payment, that's a $1,000 difference in upfront cash — significant at early-career savings rates.
Utilities: Raleigh utilities run $10 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
Raleigh, NC
Car ownership is effectively mandatory in Raleigh. Budget $400–600/month for a car if you don't own one.
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.
Raleigh
Four mild seasons; hot humid summers (heat index 100–105°F in July), light winters, excellent spring and fall
Job Market
Durham top industries
Raleigh 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 Raleigh if…
- →You're a tech workers
- →You're a biotech / pharma professionals
- →You're a researchers
- →You're a young families
- →You're buying a home and want more for your money
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Durham or Raleigh cheaper to live in?
Durham is cheaper overall. Monthly costs (1BR rent + utilities + groceries) run $1,805 in Durham vs $1,975 in Raleigh — a $170/month difference.
Which city is more walkable — Durham or Raleigh?
Durham is more walkable with a Walk Score of 64/100 vs 34/100. Raleigh is more car-dependent.
Durham vs Raleigh: which has lower state income tax?
Raleigh has lower state income tax (4.5%). On an $80K salary, that saves $200/year vs Durham (4.75%).
Is Durham or Raleigh better for buying a home?
Raleigh has lower median home prices at $420K vs $425K in Durham — a $5,000 difference on the median home.