Salary Needed to Live in Durham as a Single
A single adult living independently needs approximately $57,471/year to live comfortably in Durham, NC, including 10% savings.
Direct Answer
A single person needs about $57,471/year to live comfortably in Durham, NC. The bare-minimum salary is $49,808/year, but the comfortable figure includes a 10% savings target and a monthly after-tax budget of $3,512.
The minimum scenario leaves about $3,113/mo after tax and no planned savings. The comfortable scenario uses $4,789/mo gross pay to cover expenses, taxes, and a savings buffer.
Hybrid salary estimateBLS, HUD, ACS inputsLast verified May 2026
Comfortable Salary
$57,471
with 10% savings
Bare Minimum
$49,808
$4,151/mo gross, no savings buffer
Monthly Expenses
$3,113
13% below national avg
Detailed Monthly Budget for a Single in Durham
| Expense | Durham | Nat'l Avg | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Studio/1BR Rent | $1,056 | $1,351 | -22% |
| Groceries | $275 | $207 | +33% |
| Utilities | $124 | $169 | -27% |
| Transportation | $290 | $316 | -8% |
| Car Insurance | $225 | $223 | +1% |
| Health Insurance | $510 | $672 | -24% |
| Internet | $64 | $65 | -2% |
| Phone | $83 | $85 | -2% |
| Dining & Social | $294 | $300 | -2% |
| Entertainment | $118 | $120 | -2% |
| Personal Care | $74 | $75 | -1% |
| Total Monthly | $3,113 | $3,583 | -13% |
How We Calculated the Salary
Monthly expenses:$3,113
Target savings (10%):$399/mo
Monthly after-tax needed:$3,512
Effective tax rate:25%
Gross annual salary needed:$57,471
What Drives the Salary Number?
Housing
$1,056
Studio/1BR rent is 34% of this monthly budget.
Taxes
25%
Estimated federal plus NC state tax reserve used to convert take-home needs into gross salary.
Savings target
10%
$399/mo is reserved for savings so the salary is not just break-even.
Local index
98/100
Durham is below the national baseline; the model adjusts baseline spending by local rent and cost data.
Compare Salary Needed in Nearby south Cities
Salary Planning Checklist
- Keep studio/1br housing near $1,056/mo or adjust the salary target upward.
- Budget $633/mo for persona-specific costs such as Internet and Phone.
- Use $49,808/year as the survival floor and $57,471/year as the healthier negotiation target.
Other Household Types in Durham
Related Pages
FAQ
What salary does a single person need in Durham?
A single person needs approximately $57,471/year ($4,789/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 $1,056/month, which is the largest single expense at 34% of the total budget.
Is Durham affordable for a single person?
Yes, Durham is 13% more affordable than the national average for a single person.