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City guide · North Carolina

Moving to Durham, NC

Duke, biotech, foodie revival.

Pop. 284kCost index 99.0 · 100 = US avgMedian rent $1,600/moMedian home $410kWalk score 39

Durham (metro area) has an overall price level 99.0 (US avg = 100). Housing dominates the difference.

Overall price index
99.0
Housing index
81.4
Groceries index (modeled)
99.8
Utilities index (modeled)
99.8
Electricity rate
16 ¢/kWh
Transportation index (modeled)
99.8
Median home value (est.)
$410,000
Median monthly rent (est.)
$1,600/mo

Sources: BLS LAUS 2026-04 · Census ACS 2024 (live) state-level

North Carolina unemployment is 3.7% with median household income $74k.

Unemployment rate
3.7%
Median household income
$73,958
Per-capita income
$42,777
Labor-force participation
63.4%
Right-to-work state
Yes
Nurse Licensure Compact
Member

Sources: FEMA NRI 2025 · Census ACS 2024 (live) city-level

Durham: median home value $410,000.

Home value
$410,000
Rent
$1,600/mo
Homeownership rate
67.0%
Natural-hazard risk (FEMA county avg)
67/100
Hurricane exposure
High
Wildfire exposure
Low
Tornado risk
Low
Earthquake risk
Low

North Carolina 4th-grade math proficiency: 41.3% at/above NAEP proficient.

4th-grade math proficiency
41.3%
Per-pupil spending
$10,490
Student–teacher ratio (est.)
17
Public 4-yr grad rate
61.0%
Notable universities
Duke, UNC, NC State

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