Moving from Durham, NC to Raleigh, NC
About 10,883 people made this move in a typical year (Census Bureau metro-to-metro migration flows, ACS 5-year 2016-2020), and 9,173 go the other way. Here is what the move does to two households’ budgets after 2026 taxes — and the salary each needs in Raleigh, NC.
Single, $70k: line by line
Single adult earning $70,000, renting. Same gross pay in both places; renting at HUD Fair Market Rent (1 bedroom). Taxes take 20.3% of income in Durham, NC and 20.3% in Raleigh, NC.
Durham, NC Raleigh, NC (monthly)
| Monthly | Durham, NC | Raleigh, NC | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gross income | $5,833 | $5,833 | $0 |
| Taxes | $1,184 | $1,184 | $0 |
| Federal income tax2026 tax law | $548 | $548 | $0 |
| Social Security + Medicare2026 tax law | $446 | $446 | $0 |
| State income tax2026 tax law | $190 | $190 | $0 |
| Take-home pay | $4,649 | $4,649 | $0 |
| Housing | $1,554 | $1,552 | −$2 |
| Rent, 1-bedroomHUD FMR FY2027 · 40th-percentile gross rent, includes tenant-paid utilities | $1,554 | $1,552 | −$2 |
| Food | $426 | $426 | $0 |
| Food at home (USDA Moderate-Cost plan)USDA food plans August 2026 · US cost × RPP goods 96.6 | $426 | $426 | $0 |
| Transportation | $158 | $158 | $0 |
| GasolineEIA electricity 2025, natural gas 2024, gasoline week ending 2026-10-05 · 12,000 mi ÷ 25 mpg × $3.96/gal (Lower Atlantic (PADD)) | $158 | $158 | $0 |
| Sales tax | $23 | $23 | $0 |
| State sales taxState revenue dept. 2026-10-13 · 4.75% on other goods; groceries exempt — local add-ons not modeled | $23 | $23 | $0 |
| Other goods & services | $974 | $974 | $0 |
| Other goods (estimate)Estimate (BEA RPP 2024) · your US-average baseline × RPP goods 96.6 | $483 | $483 | $0 |
| Other services (estimate)Estimate (BEA RPP 2024) · your US-average baseline × RPP other services 98.2 | $491 | $491 | $0 |
| Left over after modeled costs | $1,514 | $1,516 | +$2 |
Family of four, $120k: line by line
Two adults, a preschooler and a school-age child, $120,000 combined, renting. Same gross pay in both places; renting at HUD Fair Market Rent (2 bedrooms), center-based childcare in current dollars. Taxes take 15.5% of income in Durham, NC and 15.5% in Raleigh, NC.
Durham, NC Raleigh, NC (monthly)
| Monthly | Durham, NC | Raleigh, NC | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gross income | $10,000 | $10,000 | $0 |
| Taxes | $1,549 | $1,549 | $0 |
| Federal income tax2026 tax law · after $4,400 Child Tax Credit | $470 | $470 | $0 |
| Social Security + Medicare2026 tax law | $765 | $765 | $0 |
| State income tax2026 tax law | $314 | $314 | $0 |
| Take-home pay | $8,451 | $8,451 | $0 |
| Housing | $1,745 | $1,689 | −$56 |
| Rent, 2-bedroomHUD FMR FY2027 · 40th-percentile gross rent, includes tenant-paid utilities | $1,745 | $1,689 | −$56 |
| Childcare | $1,538 | $1,526 | −$12 |
| Childcare, center-basedDOL NDCP 2022 · preschool $189/wk, school-age $99/wk (2022 prices, Wake County, NC); × 1.2224 BLS CPI day care, 2022 to 2026-08 | $1,538 | $1,526 | −$12 |
| Food | $1,239 | $1,239 | $0 |
| Food at home (USDA Moderate-Cost plan)USDA food plans August 2026 · US cost × RPP goods 96.6 | $1,239 | $1,239 | $0 |
| Transportation | $317 | $317 | $0 |
| GasolineEIA electricity 2025, natural gas 2024, gasoline week ending 2026-10-05 · 24,000 mi ÷ 25 mpg × $3.96/gal (Lower Atlantic (PADD)) | $317 | $317 | $0 |
| Sales tax | $23 | $23 | $0 |
| State sales taxState revenue dept. 2026-10-13 · 4.75% on other goods; groceries exempt — local add-ons not modeled | $23 | $23 | $0 |
| Other goods & services | $974 | $974 | $0 |
| Other goods (estimate)Estimate (BEA RPP 2024) · your US-average baseline × RPP goods 96.6 | $483 | $483 | $0 |
| Other services (estimate)Estimate (BEA RPP 2024) · your US-average baseline × RPP other services 98.2 | $491 | $491 | $0 |
| Left over after modeled costs | $2,614 | $2,683 | +$68 |
Durham, NC vs Raleigh, NC at a glance
| Measure | Durham, NC | Raleigh, NC |
|---|---|---|
| Price level (BEA RPP, US = 100) | 97.6 | 98.2 |
| Housing price level | 98.9 | 103.5 |
| 1-bedroom Fair Market Rent | $1,554 | $1,552 |
| 2-bedroom Fair Market Rent | $1,745 | $1,689 |
| 3-bedroom Fair Market Rent | $2,161 | $2,103 |
| Median home value | $396,100 | $418,400 |
| Effective property-tax rate | 0.77% | 0.69% |
| Median household income | $83,500 | $100,103 |
| Center infant care / week (DOL NDCP 2022 unless noted) | $317 | $307 |
| State income tax on wages | Yes | Yes |
| Mandatory local income tax (principal city) | None in our data | None in our data |
| State sales tax | 4.75% | 4.75% |
| Regular gasoline | $3.96 | $3.96 |
| Average electric bill (state) | $146 | $146 |
Sources: BEA RPP 2024; HUD FMR FY2027; Census ACS 2020-2024; DOL NDCP 2022; 2026 tax law; state revenue departments; EIA (electricity 2025, natural gas 2024, gasoline week ending 2026-10-05).
Frequently asked questions
How much do I need to make in Raleigh, NC to keep my Durham, NC lifestyle?+
For a single renter earning $70,000 in Durham, NC, about $69,964 in Raleigh, NC (−0.1%). For two adults with a preschooler and a school-age child on $120,000, about $118,925. Both keep the same money left over after 2026 taxes, rent, childcare, food, fuel and other modeled costs.
Is Raleigh, NC cheaper than Durham, NC?+
On BEA’s 2024 price index, Raleigh, NC is at 98.2 and Durham, NC at 97.6 (US = 100). After taxes and household costs, a single renter on $70,000 would have +$2 a month in Raleigh, NC.
How many people move from Durham, NC to Raleigh, NC?+
About 10,883 people a year (±1,299), according to the Census Bureau’s metro-to-metro migration flows (ACS 5-year 2016-2020); about 9,173 move the other way.
What isn’t included?+
Moving costs, health insurance, car payments and insurance, local sales tax add-ons and differences in wages between the two metros. Add known monthly costs in the calculator’s “Fixed costs / month” field.