In Durham, a typical home is worth $700,100 and typical rent is $1,105 a month. Compared with all of Butte County, the typical home value is 65% higher, typical household income is 40% higher, and the share of households that own their home is 14 points higher.
Typical home value from Zillow, September 2021 to September 2026: from $577,014 to $603,337.
From Zillow (ZHVI), September 2026. The Census figures above are 5-year averages (2020–2024).
Durham is in Butte County. The FHA loan limit ($541,287 for a one-unit home), the fair market rents and the help on this page are those of all of Butte County. See the county
What this place has that others do not, from public data, most unusual first.
1
Nearby, in Thermalito, the typical home value is $254,900: 64% less than in Durham ($700,100).
2
The typical home in Durham is worth $700,100,65% more than in Butte County as a whole ($424,700).
3
The typical household income in Durham is $95,417,40% more than in Butte County as a whole ($67,928).
4
Durham has the 32nd lowest typical rent of the 648 cities in California with more than 5,000 people ($1,105).
5
71% of households in Durham own their home, against 57% in Butte County.
6
According to Zillow, in the 12 months to September 2026 the typical home value in Durham rose 3.7%; in California, it rose 0.6%.
Sources: U.S. Census Bureau (Average 2020–2024); Zillow (September 2026 data). Zillow data
The homes here
Housing in Durham
What homes there are in Durham, what they cost, how that changed and how people live, from Census figures (2020–2024).
What homes there are
U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year, 2020–2024
Kind of home
Detached houseAttached houseBuilding of 2 to 4Apartments (5 or more)Mobile homeBoat, RV and otherUnreliable estimate
Durham
Butte County
California
United States
Kind of home: Durham and its comparisons
Measure
Durham
Butte County
California
United States
Detached house
81%
61%
57%
61%
Attached house
Unreliable estimate
3%
7%
6%
Building of 2 to 4
Unreliable estimate
10%
8%
8%
Apartments (5 or more)
Unreliable estimate
15%
24%
19%
Mobile home
Unreliable estimate
10%
4%
6%
Boat, RV and other
Unreliable estimate
1%
0%
0%
In Durham, 8 in 10 homes are single-family detached houses; in Butte County, 6.
Year built
Before 19601960–19791980–19992000–20092010 or laterUnreliable estimate
Durham
Butte County
California
United States
Year built: Durham and its comparisons
Measure
Durham
Butte County
California
United States
Before 1960
24%
21%
27%
26%
1960–1979
31%
28%
29%
24%
1980–1999
24%
29%
25%
25%
2000–2009
Unreliable estimate
12%
11%
14%
2010 or later
Unreliable estimate
11%
8%
11%
What it costs here
U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year, 2020–2024
Value of owner-occupied homes
Unreliable estimate
Under $100KUnreliable
$100K–$200KUnreliable
$200K–$300KUnreliable
$300K–$500K22%
$500K–$750K23%
$750K–$1M28%
$1M or moreUnreliable
Value of owner-occupied homes: Durham and its comparisons
Measure
Durham
Under $100K
Unreliable estimate
$100K–$200K
Unreliable estimate
$200K–$300K
Unreliable estimate
$300K–$500K
22%
$500K–$750K
23%
$750K–$1M
28%
$1M or more
Unreliable estimate
Monthly rent with utilities
Unreliable estimate
Under $500Unreliable
$500–$999Unreliable
$1,000–$1,499Unreliable
$1,500–$1,999Unreliable
$2,000–$2,499Unreliable
$2,500–$2,999Unreliable
$3,000 or moreUnreliable
Monthly rent with utilities: Durham and its comparisons
Measure
Durham
Under $500
Unreliable
$500–$999
Unreliable estimate
$1,000–$1,499
Unreliable estimate
$1,500–$1,999
Unreliable estimate
$2,000–$2,499
Unreliable estimate
$2,500–$2,999
Unreliable
$3,000 or more
Unreliable estimate
With a mortgage
$2,607 a month
Butte County: $2,187 a month
Without a mortgage
$861 a month
Butte County: $689 a month
Owners with a mortgage
50%
Butte County: 58%
The typical cost for an owner with a mortgage in Durham is $2,607 a month, more than in Butte County ($2,187); without one, $861.
How it changed
U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year, 2015–2019 and 2020–2024
Change since 2015–2019
Typical home value
Durham+40%
Butte County+56%
California+46%
United States+53%
Typical rent
Durham−23%
Butte County+33%
California+36%
United States+33%
Typical household income
DurhamNo clear change
Butte County+29%
California+32%
United States+29%
Change since 2015–2019: Durham and its comparisons
Measure
Durham
Butte County
California
United States
Typical home value
+40%
+56%
+46%
+53%
Typical rent
−23%
+33%
+36%
+33%
Typical household income
No clear change
+29%
+32%
+29%
From 2015–2019 to 2020–2024, the typical home value in Durham rose 40%; in Butte County, it rose 56%.
The typical rent in Durham fell 23% over the same time; in Butte County, it rose 33%.
How people live
U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year, 2020–2024
How people live: Durham and its comparisons
Measure
Durham
Butte County
California
United States
Rental vacancy
Unreliable estimate
5.9%
4.2%
5.5%
Homeowner vacancy
Unreliable estimate
1.6%
0.8%
0.9%
More than one person per room
Unreliable estimate
3.8%
8.2%
3.4%
People per household
2.50
2.42
2.84
2.53
Drive alone
66%
72%
66%
69%
Carpool
Unreliable estimate
9%
10%
9%
Public transit
Unreliable estimate
1%
3%
3%
Walk or bike
Unreliable estimate
4%
3%
3%
Work from home
Unreliable estimate
13%
17%
15%
Other means
Unreliable estimate
2%
2%
2%
Typical commute
Unreliable estimate
10 to 19 minutes
20 to 29 minutes
20 to 29 minutes
Much as in Butte County, a household in Durham has 2.50 people on average.
To get to work, 66% of workers in Durham drive alone; in Butte County, 72%.
Do the math
What would you pay each month for a home in Durham?
A typical home costs more than the typical income allows
We start with a typical home in Durham, worth $700,100, an FHA loan with 3.5% down and the latest average rate (7.18%). That payment would take 71% of the typical household income in Durham, which is $95,417 a year. For that payment to be 28% of income, a household would need to earn about $240,603 a year. Note: at that price the loan is above the FHA limit for Butte County ($541,287), so FHA would not insure it; the payment is only a reference.
The calculator's FHA and conventional loan limits are those of all of Butte County.
Change the price, the down payment or the loan: the payment updates right away.
Your numbers
Local data
$
Starts at the typical home value in Durham. Change it to the price you have in mind.
Your score changes which loans apply and FHA's minimum down payment. Your real rate also depends on your credit.
Down payment
%
That is $24,504 (3.5% of the price). The usual minimum for this loan is 3.5%.
This week's average ± a quarter or half point.
National average as of November 5, 2026 (Freddie Mac); your rate may be different.
Adjust advanced details⌄
Estimated monthly payment
Local data
$5,614
at 7.18% · 30 years
Loan amount
$687,419
Total interest
$989,035
Paid off in
November 2056
Includes $11,823 FHA upfront mortgage insurance premium.
Does it fit the income?
Comfortable
up to $2,226 a month
Tight
$2,226 to $2,863 a month
Hard
more than $2,863 a month
Your payment · 71%
Compared with the typical household income in Durham ($95,417 a year). Reference: HUD calls paying more than 30% of income for housing a cost burden.
Monthly payment breakdown
Principal & interest
$4,657
Property tax
$356
Home insurance
$292
FHA mortgage insurance (MIP)
$310
This loan is over the FHA limit
You'd borrow $675,596, but the FHA limit for a one-unit home in Durham is $541,287. You'd need a bigger down payment or a different loan.
You need at least $24,504 for the down payment, plus closing costs.
This is an estimate to give you an idea, not a loan offer. Your real payment depends on your rate, your credit, and the insurance and taxes on the home you buy.
Total monthly payment $5,614; principal and interest $4,657.
The city and its county
Durham and Butte County
Durham is in Butte County, California. The U.S. Census Bureau publishes its own numbers for the city: home values, rent, household income, how many households own their home and the property tax. They are American Community Survey estimates (average 2020–2024).
Durham
Map of Butte County, California, with Durham marked. Around it, the neighboring counties.
Durham
Butte County
Other cities with a page
Durham's own numbers
Typical home value
$700,100
Typical monthly rent
$1,105
Typical yearly household income
$95,417
Households that own their home
71%
Effective property tax rate
0.61%
U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey (average 2020–2024).
Numbers for all of Butte County
FHA limit, one-unit home
$541,287
Conventional limit, one unit
$832,750
HUD fair market rent, 2 bedrooms
$1,509
Price change over 5 years (FHFA)
+23%
Homes in a high flood-risk zone
5.6%
HUD, FHFA and FEMA don't publish these numbers by city.
Other numbers are not published by city, only for the whole county: FHA and conventional loan limits, HUD’s fair market rents, FHFA’s price index and FEMA’s flood data. On this page, those numbers always say they are for all of Butte County.
A typical home in Durham is worth $700,100: 65% above the county and 5% below California. With the typical household income in Durham ($95,417 a year), a typical home costs 7.3 times what the household earns in a year.
Years of income to pay for a typical home
The typical home value divided by the typical household income for one year. The lower it is, the less buying weighs.
Durham7.3 years
Butte6.3 years
California7.4 years
United States4.1 years
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Average 2020–2024
How prices have changed in Butte County
According to FHFA’s house price index, home prices in Butte County rose 74% in the 10 years through 2025.
FHFA does not publish this index by city: these are the numbers for all of Butte County.
Yearly change in FHFA’s price index in Butte County, 2016 to 2025
2016: +6.9% +6.9% 2016
2017: +6.6% +6.6% 2017
2018: +7.5% +7.5% 2018
2019: +13.0% +13.0% 2019
2020: +1.8% +1.8% 2020
2021: +10.4% +10.4% 2021
2022: +10.1% +10.1% 2022
2023: −1.8% −1.8% 2023
2024: +2.8% +2.8% 2024
2025: +0.5% +0.5% 2025
Change in FHFA’s price index in Butte County, California and the United States
Period
County
California
U.S.
Last year (2025)
+0.5%
+0.8%
+2.9%
5 years (2020–2025)
+23%
+40%
+47%
10 years (2015–2025)
+74%
+80%
+85%
The index follows the price of the same homes over time (sales and appraisals with Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac loans). It is not the average price of a home. FHFA considers its annual county indexes experimental. Source: FHFA, 2025 data
Durham next to Butte County, California and the U.S.
Three numbers side by side. “Typical” means the median: half are above it and half below.
Typical home value
Durham$700,100
Butte$424,700
California$734,700
United States$332,700
Typical monthly rent
Durham$1,105
Butte$1,414
California$2,036
United States$1,413
Typical yearly household income
Durham$95,417
Butte$67,928
California$99,122
United States$80,734
See the full table
Durham next to Butte County and California
Measure
Durham
Butte County
California
U.S.
Typical home value
$700,100 ▲65% above the county
$424,700
$734,700
$332,700
Typical monthly rent
$1,105 ▼22% below the county
$1,414
$2,036
$1,413
Typical yearly household income
$95,417 ▲40% above the county
$67,928
$99,122
$80,734
Households that own their home
71% ▲14 points above the county
57%
56%
65%
Typical yearly property tax
$4,304 ▲46% above the county
$2,951
$5,124
$3,119
Effective property tax rate
0.61% ▼0.08 points below the county
0.69%
0.7%
0.94%
“Typical” means the median: half are above and half are below. ▲ and ▼ say whether the city is above or below Butte County. “High rent” is the Census measure: renter households that pay 30% or more of their income in rent.
Four ways to pay for a typical home in Durham
For a typical $700,100 home in Durham, at Freddie Mac's average rate (7.18% as of November 5, 2026) over 30 years. The monthly payment adds principal and interest, Durham's typical property tax, an example home insurance and mortgage insurance when it applies.
FHA, 3.5% down$5,614a month
Above the FHA limit for Butte County ($541,287)
Down payment
$24,504
Cash to close
$45,507
Rate
7.18%
Mortgage insurance
FHA MIP · $310
Conventional, 5% down$5,486a month
Least cash to close
Down payment
$35,005
Cash to close
$56,008
Rate
7.18%
Mortgage insurance
PMI · $333
Conventional, 20% down, no PMI$4,442a month
Down payment
$140,020
Cash to close
$161,023
Rate
7.18%
Mortgage insurance
None
ITIN, 15% down (example)$5,089a month
Down payment
$105,015
Cash to close
$126,018
Rate
8.18%
Mortgage insurance
None
Four ways to pay for a typical home in Durham
Loan
Monthly payment
Down payment
Loan amount
Rate
Mortgage insurance
Cash to close
Minimum score
FHA, 3.5% down Above the FHA limit for Butte County ($541,287)
$5,614
$24,504
$687,419
7.18%
FHA MIP · $310
$45,507
580
Conventional, 5% down Least cash to close
$5,486
$35,005
$665,095
7.18%
PMI · $333
$56,008
620*
Conventional, 20% down, no PMI
$4,442
$140,020
$560,080
7.18%
None
$161,023
620*
ITIN, 15% down (example)
$5,089
$105,015
$595,085
8.18%
None
$126,018
Set by the lender
The option that asks for the least cash to close is Conventional, 5% down.
Cash to close = down payment plus 3% of the price in closing costs (example).
Minimum score: FHA requires 580 or higher for the minimum down payment (HUD Handbook 4000.1). * Fannie Mae requires 620 when a loan is underwritten by hand; its automated system has no fixed minimum.
The ITIN row is an example with a rate 1 percentage point higher: ITIN loans follow no federal rule and each lender sets its own down payment and rate. Nothing in this table promises an approval.
Typical rent in Durham is $1,105 a month: 22% below the county.
HUD publishes a fair market rent for all of Butte County, by unit size. To pay the 2-bedroom one ($1,509 a month) without spending more than 30% of your income, you would need to earn $29.02 an hour working full time.
What you need to earn to pay it without spending more than 30% of income, working full time.
HUD fair market rent in Butte County (Fiscal year 2027)
Size
Fair rent a month
Hourly wage
Yearly income
Studio
$1,064
$20.46
$42,560
1 bedroom
$1,190
$22.88
$47,600
2 bedrooms
$1,509
$29.02
$60,360
3 bedrooms
$2,090
$40.19
$83,600
4 bedrooms
$2,522
$48.50
$100,880
Includes basic utilities. It isn't the lowest or highest rent: it's a reference point. Source: HUD, Fiscal year 2027
By ZIP code
Fair market rent by ZIP code in Durham
HUD also publishes a fair market rent for each ZIP code (Small Area FMR, fiscal year 2027). Durham has 3 ZIP codes with their own.
For 2 bedrooms it runs from $1,470 in 95938 to $1,570 in 95928.
2 of the 3 are above the fair market rent for Butte County ($1,509).
2-bedroom fair market rent in each of the 3 ZIP codes of Durham, beside the one for Butte County. For 2 bedrooms it runs from $1,470 in 95938 to $1,570 in 95928. 2 of the 3 are above the fair market rent for Butte County ($1,509).
2-bedroom fair market rent in each ZIP code
Each line is one ZIP code: in color, those above the county's fair market rent; in gray, the rest.
County: $1,509
Lowest: $1,470 (95938)Highest: $1,570 (95928)
Fair market rent by ZIP code and size in Durham, fiscal year 2027.
95928
$1,110
$1,240
$1,570
$2,170
$2,620
95938
$1,050
$1,150
$1,470
$2,050
$2,460
95958
$1,060
$1,190
$1,510
$2,090
$2,520
ZIP code2 bd3 bd
95928 $1,570$2,170
95938 $1,470$2,050
95958 $1,510$2,090
3 of these ZIP codes cross the city line: HUD sets the rent by ZIP code, not by city. A ZIP code counts for Durham when at least 50% of its land is inside the city or it covers at least 15% of the city (Census 2020 boundaries). Source: Small Area Fair Market Rents (HUD)Fiscal year 2027Small Area Fair Market Rents (HUD) (external site)Source: Census Bureau ZCTA-to-place relationship fileData from 2020 dataCensus Bureau ZCTA-to-place relationship file (external site)
You do not have to do this alone. A HUD-approved housing counseling agency helps for free or at low cost: getting ready to buy, understanding your credit, or solving a problem with your rent.
We found no HUD-approved agencies with an office in Butte County. The nearest ones are below; many serve by phone or online.
No down payment, repair or rent-help program on our list is for Durham or Butte County. The ones below are statewide in California: they work in Durham the same as in the rest of the state.
CalHFA second loan with deferred payments for the down payment or closing costs of first-time buyers in California.Offered by California Housing Finance Agency (CalHFA).
CalHFA down payment loan for first-generation buyers in California; when you sell, you repay the loan plus a share of the home's appreciation.Offered by California Housing Finance Agency (CalHFA).
CalHFA second loan with deferred payments for the down payment or closing costs of first-time buyers who use the CalPLUS Access mortgage (FHA or conventional).Offered by California Housing Finance Agency (CalHFA).
No legal help resource on our list is for Durham or Butte County in particular.
If you have a problem with your landlord, an eviction notice or a scam, the Legal Services Corporation (LSC) search shows the free legal aid offices that serve your area.
Short answers with the numbers for Durham and all of Butte County. If your case is different, a HUD-approved counseling agency can guide you for free or at low cost.
How much does a typical home cost in Durham?
The typical home value in Durham is $700,100, according to the U.S. Census Bureau (average 2020–2024). For comparison, in Butte County it is $424,700.
How much does it cost to rent in Durham?
Typical rent in Durham is $1,105 a month, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. HUD’s fair market rent for 2 bedrooms in Butte County is $1,509.
What is the FHA loan limit in Durham?
Durham uses the FHA limit for all of Butte County (2026): $541,287 for a one-unit home and $1,041,125 for a four-unit home.
How much property tax do owners pay in Durham?
The typical homeowner in Durham pays $4,304 a year, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. That is 0.61% of the home’s value; in Butte County, the rate is 0.69%.
Where can I find free help to buy or rent in Durham?
We found no HUD-approved counseling agencies with an office in Butte County; the nearest ones are on this page. They can help you get ready to buy, with your credit, or with rent.
