Raleigh vs Durham: Where to Live in the Triangle

Are you considering moving to the Triangle and debating whether to live in Raleigh or Durham? Here is everything you need to know about Raleigh and Durham. 

Locally known as the Triangle, the Research Triangle is one of the best areas in North Carolina to live. Named after three prestigious universities: Duke, UNC-Chapel Hill, and North Carolina State University, there is no place like the Triangle. These three institutions are located in the three cities of Raleigh, Durham, and Chapel Hill, which, if connected by an imaginary line on a map, would form a Triangle.

The Triangle area is becoming increasingly popular, with more than 70 people per day living in the area, according to WRAL. The longstanding debate of whether to live in Raleigh or Durham will depend on your personal preferences, lifestyle, and budget. Both are beautiful cities with more than enough things to do to keep you busy. 

Raleigh and Durham are both known for their universities, restaurants, friendly communities, museums, historical sites, prime real estate, and much more. It can be very hard to decide which city to move to. 

Although they are only 30 minutes away from one another, Raleigh and Durham have many different things to offer. We will go over these differences to help you make the best decision on where to move to in the Triangle. 

Keep reading to learn about whether you should live in Raleigh or Durham.

Raleigh

Since 2023, Raleigh has grown by nearly 3% to almost 1.6 million residents. It doesn't take long to figure out why people are flocking to this amazing city. Ranked as the #1 place to live in North Carolina, #1 best city for quality of life in the United States, and the second-best city for quality of life worldwide, Raleigh is an amazing place to live.

Raleigh has many pros and cons, but perhaps one of the best parts about Raleigh is that it's a city with a small-town feel. This feeling of comfort and familiarity in Raleigh cannot be beaten. The people will be some of the nicest and most welcoming people you have ever met.

In addition, the job market in Raleigh is top-notch, from small businesses to large corporations. With more than 24,000 job openings and ranked a top U.S. city U.S.jobs, it is no wonder that so many working professionals are moving to Raleigh. 

Not only is Raleigh great for young professionals, but the local schools are some of the best in the state. Making it an amazing place for families and even college students. Finally, Raleigh is also one of the best places to call home as a retiree. The bottom line is that there are plenty of things to do for free, no matter your age, in Raleigh. 

Durham

Durham, NC, has become one of the best places to live in North Carolina for any reason. With a population of about 275,000, Durham is slightly smaller than Raleigh but has just as much to offer.

As a hub for the technology and healthcare industry, Durham is home to companies like Apple, Facebook (Meta), Google, Amazon, and more. If you are looking for a new job, Durham should definitely be at the top of your list, no matter your career or experience level. 

As a mid-sized city similar to Raleigh, Durham has a strong small-town feel and sense of community. Home to Duke University, one of the best colleges in the country, the University and students make the city something special.

As a college town, you'll soon find out how passionate Durham residents are for their sports teams. From Duke basketball to the Durham Bulls, you'll have plenty of chances to see these two popular sports in action. 

The downtown area has some of the best restaurants, bars, and cafes in all of NC. Southern Living rated Durham as the South's tastiest town, with more than enough local restaurants to choose from.

Raleigh Cost of Living

The overall cost of living in Raleigh is 4% lower than the national average. However, you should always remember that the cost of living will vary greatly depending on several factors, such as your profession, personal preferences, budget, average salary, and the real estate market.

More specifically, compared to the national average, housing expenses in Rlaeigh are 2% lower, utilities are 2% higher, groceries are 8% lower, and transportation costs are 5% lower. These may not exactly equate to how much you will spend living in Raleigh. However, they should give you a rough estimate of how much it will cost to live in Raleigh.

The average resident in Raleigh makes about $42,632 annually, 12.4% higher than the national median. As an up-and-coming city, Raleigh's job market is growing rapidly, and you should expect to see many more job opportunities in the next couple of years.

Here are some categories broken down of the cost of living in Raleigh according to Payscale. 

Cost of Living Item	Average Price
Median Home Price	$439,640
Median Rent Price	$1,337 per month
Gas	$3.21 per gallon
Gallon of Milk	$2.23
Doctor's Visit	$128.16

Housing costs in Raleigh are slightly above the national average due to the popularity of the area. With 3,734 homes sold in Wake County in January 2024, the choices for investing in real estate in Raleigh are abundant.

Currently, the housing market is favorable for sellers because there are more buyers looking to purchase a home than there are homes available. However, many new homes and apartments are being built in Raleigh to keep up with the population increases. 

Durham Cost of Living

The cost of living in Durham is only 1% higher than the national average. However, housing costs are 9% higher, which can be one of the biggest expenses. This will vary greatly depending on where you live, your career, personal preferences, and your budget.

Looking a little deeper at the cost of living, compared to the national average, housing is 9% higher, utilities are 12% lower, groceries are the same, and transportation is 6% lower. You can expect to spend much less money living in Durham than you would in Raleigh on utilities, groceries, and transportation costs. However, your housing costs may be about the same, if not more expensive, in Durham.

Here are some typical aspects of the cost of living according to Payscale.

Cost of Living Item	Average Cost
Median Home Price	$490,142
Median Rent	$1,490 per month
Gas	$3.19 per gallon
Gallon of Milk	$2.43
Doctor's Visit	$145.65

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the median household income in Durham is $74,710. This is just slightly less than the median household income in Raleigh, which is $75,424, according to the City of Raleigh. 

Raleigh Best Neighborhoods

Raleigh is full of many wonderful neighborhoods, no matter if you are looking for the perfect place to start a family, a quiet place to relax, or a place in the heart of the city.

Cameron Village

Perfect for young professionals with bustling social lives, Cameron Village is an excellent place to live in Raleigh. Cameron Village offers you the chance to have everything you want at the tip of your fingertips.

You will also have amazing views of the city skyline. Real estate in the area begins at about $550,000, and homes range in style from ranch-style to historic properties. The median home price is about $729,174. 

Boylan Heights

Boylan Heights is one of the most popular areas in Raleigh. The location attracts a great deal of homebuyers, along with its rich history. Established in 1907, this neighborhood is still known as a prime suburban neighborhood in Raleigh. It is located next to Dorothea Dix Park, which holds farmer's markets, walking paths, and even music festivals. This neighborhood is perfect for families who want to live close to the best schools in Raleigh. 

Located west of Downtown Raleigh, homes in Boylan Heights have a median home price of $662,129. The homes range in style, including Dutch Colonial, Foursquare, Colonial Revival, and Craftsman. 

Durham Best Neighborhoods

Durham is home to an abundance of great neighborhoods, all with high safety ratings, fun things to do, and affordable homes.

Chancellor's Ridge

Chancellor's Ridge is located in southwest Durham, giving you easy access to Southpoint Mall. With about 455 homesites, you'll have your pick of homes in this amazing neighborhood.

This neighborhood is known for its quiet community, easy commute to local amenities, community swimming pool, and clubhouse. This would be the perfect neighborhood to check out as a family moving to Durham. 

Forest Hills

Forest Hills is another well-known neighborhood in Durham. Perfect for families, retirees, and even young professionals looking for a quiet neighborhood with a deep history.

This neighborhood is different from others in Durham due to its historic charm, which you can see in each home. Homes range in style, including Colonial, Tudor, and English Cottage home styles. As a resident, you'll have access to the playground, picnic shelter, tennis courts, swimming pool, clubhouse, and walking trails. 

Where to Live in the Triangle

All in all, you can't go wrong with living in Raleigh or Durham. Both are amazing places for families, retirees, and young professionals to live. If you are more of a sports fan, then Durham might be better for you, but if you are more into the history of NC, then RN.C.eigh may be for you.

When it comes to the cost of living, you can expect to spend a bit more in Durham, especially on housing. However, this will vary in both cities depending on many personal factors. 

Methodology

We used information and data from several different sources, as well as our own data, to determine everything you need to know about whether you should live in Raleigh or Durham. Most of the data was sourced from the following sources:

• WRAL
• Durham County
• Payscale

FAQ: Raleigh vs Durham

Here are a couple of commonly asked questions about whether you should live in Raleigh or Durham.

Which is a better city, Raleigh or Durham?

Both Raleigh and Durham have many things to offer its residents and visitors. Durham is known to be more diverse, but Raleigh is known to have more job opportunities. Both are wonderful places to live; it'll all depend on what is most important to you.

Is Durham more expensive than Raleigh?

Durham is known to be slightly more expensive than Raleigh. However, housing and rental prices are higher in Raleigh. You will have affordable options in both cities, but it will depend on the location and housing market at that time.

Where is the best place to live in the Triangle, NC?

If you love living in the city, then Durham and Raleigh would be the best place for you to live in the Triangle. However, if you want to be outside of the city but still live in a convenient location, then Chapel Hill, Cary, Apex, or Holly Springs are your best options in the Triangle.

Is Durham safer than Raleigh?

Overall, the violent crime rate in Wake County is lower than that in Durham. This will vary greatly depending on your location, but it is always a good idea to be aware of your surroundings, no matter where you live. 

Why are Raleigh and Durham so popular?

Both cities are so popular for many reasons, including amazing restaurants, neighborhoods, museums, bars, activities, schools, and communities. Additionally, both are located in the middle of North Carolina, meaning you are only about a two-hour drive from the beautiful beaches and mountains. 

Raleigh vs Durham - The Bottom Line

Raleigh and Durham both offer similar amenities; depending on what you are looking for, one may be better than the other. But you can guarantee that you will love where you live, whether that ends up being Raleigh or Durham. 

No matter where you decide to move to in the Triangle, your family will be surrounded by amenities and local favorites. Whether you are searching for a single-family home, townhome, condominium, or apartment complex, you are bound to find the perfect home in Raleigh or Durham. 

Before you buy your next home in the Triangle, feel free to contact one of our helpful real estate specialists, as they are eager to help you find the perfect home. We know that buying a home can be overwhelming, so make sure you are prepared beforehand.