Durham, NCBest Places to Live in the U.S. in 2024

The temperate weather in Durham means pleasant springs, hot summers and mild winters. The average highs and lows are 87°F and 65°F (summer) and 52°F and 29°F (winter).

The average annual snowfall in Durham is relatively low, thanks to the area’s subtropical climate. On average, Durham gets less than 3 inches of snow each year.

The average annual rainfall in Durham is a moderate 46 inches per year. Rainfall is evenly distributed, but the wettest months are typically May and June.

Durham averages 217 sunny days a year.

The Sarah P. Duke Gardens are stunning year round, with spring blooms and fall foliage. Offering 5 miles of accessible pathways, visitors can enjoy flowers, picnic near the pond and stroll through the picturesque Japanese pavilion. Or go for a bike ride along the American Tobacco Trail, a 22.6-mile trail that runs along an abandoned railroad bed initially built in the 1970s for a tobacco company.

From utility boxes to walls, artists have transformed Durham into a color-saturated outdoor museum with murals that celebrate Black stories and beautify the area. Take a self-guided tour of the murals with the help of an inspiration guide. A good starting place is the Visitor Info Center, where you can pose with a 2,500-pound bronze bull.

The Duke Lemur Center is home to more than 200 animals across 14 species. The center also studies, cares for and protects lemurs, the most endangered mammals on the planet.

Durham earned the nickname “City of Medicine” for more than 300 health and medical businesses and organizations. All told, health care is a massive industry for Durham, providing jobs for thousands of people and paying out roughly $1.2 billion in payroll each year.

Bookstore meets bar at Letters Bookshop. Literary lovers can also subscribe to the shop’s book subscription service, which comes with one new and used book each month.

Saltbox Seafood Joint, helmed by James Beard-nominated chef Ricky Moore, is a must-try. Locals love the “Hush-Honeys,” which are fried, honey-glazed cornmeal fritters.

There are several venues for live music and performing arts in Durham, but two of the most popular are the Durham Performing Arts Center (DPAC) – the state’s largest performing arts center – and Motorco Music Hall, a quirky local haunt located in a former car dealership.

More than 300 whiskeys from around the world join local beers on the menu at Dram and Draught, which also serves tasty mocktails.

Durham has a diverse economy, with several major industries contributing to the area’s growth and development. These industries include health care and life sciences, technology, and education. Duke Energy, one of the largest energy companies in the country, is headquartered in Durham and provides electric and gas services to millions of customers across six states.

In 2024, the sales tax rate in Durham is 7.5%.

Yes, North Carolina has a state income tax.

Duke University Health System is one of the top health care providers in the country and offers a wide range of specialties and services. The health system includes several hospitals and outpatient centers in the Durham area and is consistently ranked among the top hospitals in the country by U.S. News & World Report.

Several major colleges and universities are in Durham, including Duke University, Durham Technical Community College and North Carolina Central University.