Salary Needed to Live in Durham as a Single
A single adult living independently needs approximately $19,883/year to live comfortably in Durham, NC — including 10% savings.
Comfortable Salary
$19,883
with 10% savings
Bare Minimum
$17,232
no savings buffer
Monthly Expenses
$1,077
2% below national avg
Detailed Monthly Budget for a Single in Durham
| Expense | Durham | Nat'l Avg | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| 🏠 Studio/1BR Rent | $119 | $113 | +5% |
| 🛒 Groceries | $23 | $17 | +35% |
| ⚡ Utilities | $10 | $14 | -29% |
| 🚗 Transportation | $24 | $26 | -8% |
| 🛡️ Car Insurance | $225 | $223 | +1% |
| 🏥 Health Insurance | $43 | $56 | -23% |
| Internet | $64 | $65 | -2% |
| Phone | $83 | $85 | -2% |
| Dining & Social | $294 | $300 | -2% |
| Entertainment | $118 | $120 | -2% |
| Personal Care | $74 | $75 | -1% |
| Total Monthly | $1,077 | $1,094 | -2% |
How We Calculated the Salary
Monthly expenses:$1,077
Target savings (10%):$138/mo
Monthly after-tax needed:$1,215
Effective tax rate:25%
Gross annual salary needed:$19,883
Other Household Types in Durham
Related Pages
FAQ
What salary does a single person need in Durham?
A single person needs approximately $19,883/year ($1,657/month gross) to live comfortably in Durham with a 10% savings rate.
How much is rent for a single person in Durham?
A studio/1br in Durham costs approximately $119/month, which is the largest single expense at 11% of the total budget.
Is Durham affordable for a single person?
Durham is roughly average for single person costs, requiring a salary close to the national median.