Median Household Income: $51,988 Average Cost of Living (per national average) : -8% Unemployment Rate: 4.2% Part of North Carolina’s ballyhooed Research Triangle, Durham is a growing professional hub of the United States. Among the high-paying careers in which Durham ranks as a top-paying city are public relations executive and corporate executive. View the discussion thread. Book traversal links for 10 Best Cities for Return on Salary: Durham, North Carolina ‹ 10 Best Cities for Return on Salary: Columbus, Ohio Up 10 Best Cities for Return on Salary: Fort Worth-Arlington, Texas ›