Cheap Apartments for Rent in Durham, NC from $400 (366 Rentals)

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Search the lowest-cost Apartments available for rent right now in Durham.

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property at 315 Edward St

315 Edward St

DurhamNC27701

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Durham's Best Affordable Neighborhoods

Learn about Durham and the best places to live with original content written by Local Expert Billy K

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Durham, NC Local Guide

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Written By:
Justin Habersaat
Editing Staff

Cheapest Neighborhoods for Apartments in Durham, NC

Pricing Updated: 11/07/2025

Current apartment rentals in the Durham, NC area range in price from $450 to $24,000 with an overall median price of $3,285. The three Durham neighborhoods with the lowest median rent pricing are Northgate at $749, Davenport at $1,127, and Wynngate at $1,127. Here is today’s list of the top 10 neighborhoods with the lowest median pricing for Durham Apartments for rent:

NeighborhoodMedian PriceMin PriceAvailable Units
Northgate$1,500$74945
Davenport$1,532$1,1276
Wynngate$1,532$1,1276
Croasdaile Farm$1,550$749135
Northeast Durham$1,611$1,1651
Kenion Grove$1,687$1,01050
Latta Road$1,694$88094
Cardinal Lake$1,700$799114
Latta Woods$1,700$880101
UNC at Chapel Hill$1,703$958229

Cheapest Available Durham Apartments for Rent

 

The cheapest available apartment rental in Durham, NC is a 1 Bed unit found at Dupont Circle in the Downtown Durham neighborhood priced from $718. Monarch Apartments in the Downtown Durham neighborhood has the second lowest priced unit, which is a Studio apartment currently listed from $749. Here is today’s list of the most affordable Durham apartments for rent:

Apartment ListingModel NameBed/BathPriced From
Dupont CircleThe Brightleaf 6001BR,1BA$718
Monarch ApartmentsMonarch - StudioStudio,1BA$749
Vivo Living DurhamCARO-B - The Carolinas - BStudio,1BA$799
Mission University PinesA11BR,1BA$832
Vivo Living Forest HillsSTDO - StudioStudio,1BA$839
Vivo Living Ivy CreekSTDO - StudioStudio,1BA$859
The ForestThe Willow IStudio,1BA$870
Glenbrook East and WestThe Brightleaf GW 6601BR,1BA$875
Lenox EastThe Brightleaf 6501BR,1BA$876
Willowdaile111BR,1BA$880

Best Value Apartments for Rent in Durham, NC

As of November 08, 2025 the best value apartment in the Durham area is the $1.12 price per square foot Tanasee Model at Houndswood Village in the in the South Durham neighborhood starting from $2,617. The second greatest value Durham apartment is the Two Bedroom Apartment Homes Model at Ashley Park Apartments starting at $1,595 with a $1.09 price per square foot in the Brier Creek Country Club neighborhood. Here is today’s list of the best values for Durham apartments based on price per square foot:

Apartment ListingModel NameBed/BathPrice Per Sq.Ft.
Houndswood VillageTanasee3BR,2.5BA$1.12
Ashley Park ApartmentsTwo Bedroom Apartment Homes2BR,2BA$1.09
Shortbread LoftsC43BR,3BA$0.83
FairgateTwo Bedroom Townhome2BR,2.5BA$1.17
Holly HillTwo Bedroom 1.5 Bath2BR,1.5BA$1.14
501 Towns21.5TH2BR,1.5BA$1.07
Taylor's PondThe Eno 11622BR,2.5BA$1.21
Highgate TownhomesThe Eno 11622BR,2.5BA$1.21
Colonial Townhouses- Students save up to 10%!Yorktown2BR,1.5BA$1.20
Triangle PlaceThe Willow Renovated1BR,1BA$1.18

Apartment Common Area Rules: What Renters Need to Know

From the lounge to the laundry room, understand your rights and responsibilities in shared apartment spaces. Get tips on pet rules, noise, and security.

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Don't Settle: How to Negotiate Your Apartment Lease and Save Money

Discover the insider tips from an attorney and real estate agent on how to negotiate your next apartment lease. Find out what's on the table and what's not, so you can save money and get the best terms possible.

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The Ultimate Long-Distance Moving Checklist: Tips from a Real Estate Pro

Moving is tough, especially long-distance. Learn how to minimize stress & expenses with proven strategies from a real estate pro, covering everything from logistics to finances.

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Quick Rent Budget Calculator

How much rent can you afford?

The common "Rule of Thumb" is that rent should be no more than 30% of your income. How much is that? Enter your monthly income and click "Calculate My Budget" to find out.

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Durham Overview

In the middle of North Carolina, just northwest of Raleigh sits Durham. Known as the City of Medicine, it is home to Duke University, North Carolina State University, and The University of NC at Chapel Hill. Making up an area known as Research Triangle, it is one of the most high-tech research and development parks in the country. Once driven by its roots in the tobacco industry, the city is now a leader in education, technology, and medicine. Durham is a charming city with a rich history, diverse culture, and pioneering spirit. There are plenty of great apartments in Durham with nearby entertainment, cultural events, nightlife, and some of the best soul food and pulled-pork barbecue joints to satisfy every foodie.

Why live in Durham, NC?

U.S. News ranked Raleigh-Durham as the No. 4 Best Place to Live in 2016. Due to its strong job market, home values, and high quality of life, it attracts nearly 80 new residents per day. It is a young, diverse, friendly, and well-educated community that has a strong sense of community. Residents enjoy dining out, meeting at one of the local microbreweries, taking a stroll in the beautiful green spaces, or hanging out at the growing music and art scene. The cost of living is slightly lower than the national average, so it is the perfect area for new families.

Pet Friendly Lifestyle
Durham, NC

Ranked #3

Among cities in North Carolina for Apartment listings with Pet Friendly Amenities.

Pet Friendliness Lifestyle Score

2.5
Pet Friendly

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Remember the 3 Rules of Real Estate:
Location, Location, Location!

Explore Durham, NC Rentals by Map

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Getting Around Durham, NC

Walk Score®

45 / 100

Car-Dependent

Most errands require a car

Bike Score®

44 / 100

Somewhat Bikeable

Minimal bike infrastructure

Transit Score®

30 / 100

Some Transit

A few nearby public transportation options

Frequently Asked Questions about Cheap Durham Apartments

What is a cheap apartment in Durham?

A cheap apartment is any apartment up to the 30% percentile of cost for the area, which in Durham is under $880.

What is the price of a cheap apartment in Durham?

The cheapest apartment in Durham is Dupont Circle which is listed at $718, while the average apartment in Durham costs $3,285.

What types of apartments are the cheapest in Durham?

Student, low-income, and by-the-bed apartments are typically the cheapest rentals in most cities, though they require qualifying criteria to rent. There are 10,487 regular apartments in Durham that we think qualify as ‘cheap apartments’ that do not have special requirements to apply to rent.

How do the prices of cheap apartments compare to the average apartment in Durham?

Cheap apartments in Durham have an average cost of $847 which is $2,438 cheaper than the average rent for all rentals in Durham.

Expert Rental Resources

Helpful Apartment Articles, How-To's and Tips

The rental experts at ApartmentHomeLiving.com provide you with top advice, tools, and tips for understanding the leasing process and finding the perfect rental. Here are a few helpful rental and leasing articles from our experts to guide you on your search.

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Your Guide to the Top 10 Affordable Neighborhoods to Rent in Durham, NC

Written by: Billy K

I'm Billy, your ApartmentHomeLiving.com Local Expert for Durham, North Carolina. And if you’re considering settling down in Durham, you’re in luck.

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Apartment Common Area Rules: What Renters Need to Know

Written by: Christine Leonard, Esq.

Back in the day when I rented one of my first apartments, the property didn’t even have laundry in the building. Now, rental properties are often competing against each other to provide the best amenities.

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How to Negotiate Your Apartment Lease and Save Money

Written by: Christine Leonard, Esq.

Everything is a negotiation in real estate! 

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The Rental Move-In Inspection Checklist: A Guide for Renters

Written by: Trey Huguley

The move-in inspection checklist is a crucial tool for both tenants and landlords. This checklist, provided by the team at ApartmentHomeLiving.com, helps document the condition of an apartment at the time of move-in.