Durham vs Plano: Cost of Living (2026)
A side-by-side comparison of Durham, NC and Plano, TX, using US Census Bureau data.
| Metric | Durham, NC | Plano, TX |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 284,094 | 284,948 |
| Median household income | $74,710 | $105,679 |
| Median home value | $316,600 | $412,500 |
| Median rent (/mo) | $1,296 | $1,699 |
Source: US Census Bureau ACS 5-Year (2022). Highlighted cell = more affordable / higher income.
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compare-top (set NEXT_PUBLIC_ADSENSE_CLIENT to serve real ads)Comparing Durham, NC and Plano, TX comes down to what you value most. Durham has the lower median home value, and Durham has the lower median rent.
Plano has the higher median household income, which affects how far a paycheck stretches against local housing costs. The table below breaks down the key numbers side by side, all sourced from the US Census Bureau.
Frequently asked questions
- Is it cheaper to live in Durham or Plano?
- By median home value, Durham is the cheaper of the two ($316,600 vs $412,500). Rent and income differ too — see the full comparison above.
- Which has higher salaries, Durham or Plano?
- Median household income is $74,710 in Durham versus $105,679 in Plano, per the US Census Bureau.