Cheap Apartments for Rent in the Downtown Durham Neighborhood of Durham, NC from $400 (159 Rentals)

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

Your Guide to Co-Signers: The Risks, Rewards, and Everything in Between

Thinking about getting a co-signer for your rental application? We break down what a co-signer is, the potential benefits, and the serious risks for both parties. Find out if it's the right choice for you.

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property at 315 Edward St

315 Edward St

DurhamNC27701

Roommate Matching: Finding the Right Fit and Avoiding Pitfalls

When searching for a roommate, follow this list of essential steps and set clear expectations to create a solid foundation for a harmonious living situation.

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Cash or credit? Understanding the Importance of Credit Score in Real Estate and Renting

Discover how your credit score impacts your ability to lease or buy a home. Learn how credit scores are determined, how to check yours, and strategies to improve it for real estate success.

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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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The Art of the Rental Viewing: What to look for during a property tour

Touring a rental? This guide helps you know exactly what to look for, from safety features to hidden flaws, so you can confidently sign your lease or keep searching.

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Downtown Durham, Durham, NC Local Guide

Cheapest Available Downtown Durham Apartments for Rent

 

The cheapest available apartment rental in the Downtown Durham area of Durham, NC is a 1 Bed unit found at Dupont Circle priced from $733. Vivo Living Durham has the second lowest priced unit, which is a Studio apartment currently listed from $799. Here are the most affordable Downtown Durham apartments for rent in Durham, NC:

Apartment ListingModel NameBed/BathPriced From
Dupont CircleThe Brightleaf 6001BR,1BA$733
Vivo Living DurhamCARO-B - The Carolinas - BStudio,1BA$799
Monarch ApartmentsMonarch - StudioStudio,1BA$800
Vivo Living Ivy CreekSTDO - StudioStudio,1BA$859
Lenox EastThe Brightleaf 6501BR,1BA$873
Willowdaile111BR,1BA$880
Glenbrook East and WestThe Brightleaf GW 6601BR,1BA$890
Avalon EastThe Brightleaf 6501BR,1BA$898
South Point1 Bedroom 1 Bathoom1BR,1BA$899
Icon Downtown DurhamA1 Studio C Standard -Call for AvailabilityStudio,1BA$900

Best Value Apartments for Rent in Downtown Durham, NC

As of November 01, 2025 the best value apartment in the Downtown Durham area is the $1.28 price per square foot Maverick Model at Braxton Townhomes in the in the Fayetteville Street Corridor neighborhood starting from $1,995. The second greatest value Downtown Durham apartment is the 21.5TH Model at 501 Towns starting at $1,287 with a $1.07 price per square foot in the Fayetteville Street Corridor neighborhood. Here is today’s list of the best values for Downtown Durham apartments based on price per square foot:

Apartment ListingModel NameBed/BathPrice Per Sq.Ft.
Braxton TownhomesMaverick3BR,2.5BA$1.28
501 Towns21.5TH2BR,1.5BA$1.07
Taylor's PondThe Eno 11622BR,2.5BA$1.20
Pickett Square TownhomesThe Eno 11622BR,2.5BA$1.11
4206 Delbert Ave, Unit C4206 Delbert Ave2BR,1.5BA$1.27
Colonial Townhouses- Students save up to 10%!Yorktown2BR,1.5BA$1.21
Viceroy ApartmentsVR 2x12BR,1BA$1.19
The Mews Apartments and TownhomesThe Dover1BR,1BA$1.25
South Point1 Bedroom 1 Bathoom1BR,1BA$1.28
Lenox EastThe Brightleaf 6501BR,1BA$1.34

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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Pet Friendly Lifestyle
Downtown Durham, Durham, NC

Ranked #2

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

Pet Friendliness Lifestyle Score

4.0
Pet Friendly

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Best Local Schools in
Downtown Durham, Durham, NC

School data provided by Great Schools

Lifestyle Ratings

ApartmentHomeLiving brings you comprehensive Lifestyle Ratings of neighborhoods, cities, and rental properties across North Carolina and customized analysis for Central Durham, NC. Lifestyle Ratings show you the best fit for your needs and interests. This takes in many factors including our Star Ratings to compare for proximity to parks, luxury amenities, pet-friendly features, multifamily communities for the kids, proximity to transit, and more. These search options are in the site filters at the top of this page.

Frequently Asked Questions about Cheap Downtown Durham Apartments

What is a cheap apartment in Downtown Durham?

A cheap apartment is any apartment up to the 30% percentile of cost for the area, which in Downtown Durham is under $900.

What is the price of a cheap apartment in Downtown Durham?

The cheapest apartment in Downtown Durham is Dupont Circle which is listed at $733, while the average apartment in Downtown Durham costs $3,722.

What types of apartments are the cheapest in Downtown 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 258 regular apartments in Downtown 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 Downtown Durham?

Cheap apartments in Downtown Durham have an average cost of $321 which is $3,401 cheaper than the average rent for all rentals in Downtown 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.