Mortgage Affordability Calculator for Durham, NC
Updated 2026 · Local data pre-filled
In Durham, the median household income is $66,800 per year, while the median home costs $360,000. The price-to-income ratio is 5.4x — a stretch in this competitive market. Use this calculator to determine what you can comfortably afford based on your income.
✓ Calculator below is pre-filled with Durham local data
How Durham Compares to the National Average
Understanding how Durham stacks up helps you calibrate your financial planning.
| Metric | Durham, NC | US Average | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home Price | $360,000 | $420,800 | -14.4% |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,350 | $1,713 | -21.2% |
| Median Household Income | $66,800 | $74,580 | -10.4% |
| Property Tax Rate | 0.79% | 1.10% | -28.2% |
| Cost of Living Index | 104 | 100 | +4.0% |
Sources: U.S. Census Bureau, BLS, Zillow, NAR (2024–2025). Green = favorable for residents; red = less favorable.
Durham Financial Snapshot
- Population (Metro)
- 340,000
- Unemployment
- 3.2%
- Avg Commute
- 24 min
- Median Age
- 33.6
- Price-to-Rent Ratio
- 22.2x
- Annual Property Tax
- $2,844
Mortgage Affordability Calculator in Other North Carolina Cities
Frequently Asked Questions — Durham
What is the median home price in Durham, NC?
The median home price in Durham is $360,000 as of 2025–2026. This is below the national median of $420,800.
What is the average rent in Durham?
Median monthly rent in Durham is $1,350. That works out to $16,200/year, or 24% of the median household income — within the commonly recommended 30% of income guideline.
Is Durham affordable?
Durham's cost of living index is 104 vs. the national average of 100. With a median household income of $66,800/year and a median home price of $360,000, the price-to-income ratio is 5.4x. Durham falls in the middle of the affordability spectrum for US cities.
What is the property tax rate in Durham?
The effective property tax rate in Durham is 0.79% of assessed value. On the median home of $360,000, that's roughly $2,844/year ($237/month).