Durham NC
North Carolina · Pop. 291,467
Durham, NC: median household income of $81,619, median rent of $1,508/mo, 3.8% unemployment. Our verdict: It Depends.
Score Breakdown
Key Metrics
Median Income
$81,619
per year
Median Rent
$1,508
per month
Median Home
$393k
home value
Unemployment
3.8%
of labor force
Poverty Rate
11.7%
below poverty line
Avg. Commute
22 min
one way
City Reality Check balanced
"Durham, NC Reality Check"
In Durham, the rent-to-income burden runs around 22% — refreshingly manageable by national standards. Median income sits at $81,619 and median rent is $1,508/month. 46% of renters are cost-burdened (30%+ of income on housing). Landlords are winning; everyone else is treading water. Median home value: $392,800 — that's 4.8× the median income. 57% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher — a highly educated workforce that drives (and inflates) this local economy. Employment picture: 3.84% unemployment — a healthy job market. Poverty rate: 11.7%. Average commute: 22 minutes — acceptable. Violent crime: 63.1/100k avg monthly rate (8665 reported); Property crime: 297.1/100k avg monthly rate (40744 reported). Durham was founded in 1869 — that's 157 years of history baked into the streets. The city covers 110.7 sq miles at 2,633 people/sq mile — spread out. Elevation: 404 ft — modest elevation. RoastMyCity overall score: 68/100 — It Depends.
Local Context
Safety
/100Violent crime: 63.1/100k avg monthly rate (8665 reported); Property crime: 297.1/100k avg monthly rate (40744 reported).