Retirement Lists

Durham, North Carolina

This is an image of a place or building that is listed on the National Register of Historic Places in the United States of America. Its reference number is 77000998 (Wikidata).

Durham, North Carolina cost of living

Durham housing and driving costs need a clear monthly margin

The local estimate is $3,290 per month. Planning anchors include $1,330 for a typical one bedroom, $1,524 for a two bedroom, $460 groceries, $1,064 transportation, $436 healthcare, $240 utilities, and about $242 dining beside a source value of 81.9. The traveler estimate is $4,712, the couple estimate is $4,697, and the expat estimate is $3,415.

The property tax display is Moderate, with a 0.83 percent effective rate, $3,263 median real estate taxes, and a $392,800 median home value. Use those place level inputs for comparison, then verify the selected tax bill, insurance, cooling, repairs, maintenance, parking, and reserves.

Planning a monthly budget

A local monthly estimate of $3,290 gives you the starting point, with housing taking the largest share.

Housing
$1,330
Utilities (in rent)
$240
Food
$460/mo
Transportation
$1,064/mo
Healthcare
$436

Utilities are included in housing so they are not added twice. The separate Utilities row is a reference estimate.

How the total can change

A traveler style stay, a couple household, and long term rent answer different planning questions.

Comfortable Living
$4,712

Moderate

Cost of Living for Couple
$4,697

Good

Typical 1BR Rent
$1,330

Very Good

Everyday expenses

Dining, transportation, taxes, and car needs can change how the monthly budget feels.

Dining Out
$242/mo

Excellent

Need for a Car
Required
Property Taxes
Moderate

Fair

Overall Feel
Moderate
Residents 65+ Below Poverty Level
8.4%
65+ Householder — Renter Occupied
28.1%
65+ Households With High Housing Costs
34.8%
Median Household Income, Householder 65+
$65,108

Durham in everyday life

Could Durham work for you?

What may work well

  • The $3,290 local estimate, $1,330 one bedroom, $1,524 two bedroom, $4,712 traveler estimate, $4,697 couple estimate, and $3,415 expat estimate create clear starting anchors.
  • The Moderate property tax display gives owners a comparison point when paired with the actual parcel bill, insurance, repairs, cooling, and reserves.
  • The Required car label gives a direct prompt to price routes, maintenance, parking, demand response options, and backup rides.

What to think about

  • The $1,064 transportation estimate can grow with fuel, insurance, maintenance, parking, repairs, regional trips, and longer care routes.
  • A moderate property tax display does not remove insurance, maintenance, cooling, tax bill, or reserve questions for an owner.
  • The $240 utility planning line and hot humid season should be reconciled with the selected lease or parcel and actual cooling needs.

Plan the Durham budget around housing, taxes, care, driving, and cooling

  1. Price the selected home

    Compare the $1,330 one bedroom or $1,524 two bedroom anchor with the actual lease or purchase, utilities, taxes, insurance, cooling, parking, maintenance, repairs, and reserves.

  2. Write the Required car line

    Start with $1,064 transportation, then add insurance, fuel, maintenance, parking, repairs, care, groceries, pharmacy, regional trips, summer conditions, and backup rides.

  3. Verify the tax bill

    Use the 0.83 percent effective rate, $3,263 median taxes, and $392,800 median home value as comparison inputs, then verify the parcel bill, assessment, insurance, upkeep, and reserve needs.

  4. Use the decision actions

    Save the strongest Durham budget, Compare another address, and choose Find my fit after rent, taxes, care, car, utilities, cooling, and reserve questions are answered.

Questions retirees ask

What is the Durham local estimate?

The local estimate is $3,290 per month. It uses $1,330 one bedroom housing, $460 groceries, $1,064 transportation, $436 healthcare, $240 utilities, and about $242 dining beside a source value of 81.9.

How should owners use the tax figures?

The property tax display is Moderate, with a 0.83 percent effective rate, $3,263 median real estate taxes, and a $392,800 median home value. Use them for comparison, then verify the chosen parcel bill and owner costs.

What is the expat estimate?

The expat monthly estimate is $3,415. Compare it with the household's actual housing, transportation, healthcare, utilities, insurance, taxes, cooling, visitor needs, and support plan.

Does bus service remove the car requirement?

No. GoDurham, ACCESS, Connect, Durham Station, and GoTriangle add choices, while the catalog's car label is Required. Check actual trips, reservations, eligibility, fares, heat, and backup rides.

What should summer add to the budget?

Plan for cooling, filters, humidity, shade, hydration, utility use, car air conditioning, parking, heat sensitive trips, indoor alternatives, and a reserve for weather related changes.

Durham's estimates provide useful starting lines, but the Required car label, Moderate property tax display, $240 utility planning line, hot season, and actual lease or parcel costs decide whether the monthly plan holds. Save the strongest budget, Compare another address, and choose Find my fit after those figures are replaced with household values.

Sources

The budget value gives a starting point for everyday spending. Housing, healthcare, safety, and climate can change what feels comfortable for a household.

Housing mix, exchange rates, healthcare needs, car ownership, and travel style can move a real monthly budget materially.

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