Cheap Apartments for Rent in the Downtown Durham Neighborhood of Durham, NC from $400 (183 Rentals)

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

What Does “Rent Burdened” Mean? How Much Rent Is Too Much

Learn the official definition (spending 30% or more of your gross income on housing) and how to calculate your exact rent-to-income ratio. This guide offers expert tips on factoring in total housing costs (including utilities and fees) and budgeting accurately to avoid unnecessary financial strain.

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property at 404 Formosa Ave

$780 - $925

Total Monthly Price

Total Monthly Price

Base Rent
$780 - $925
Total Monthly Price
$780 - $925

1 Bedroom, 1 Bath Home for Rent

Available Now

404 Formosa Ave

DurhamNC27707

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 844 Horton Rd

$800

Total Monthly Price

Total Monthly Price

Base Rent
$800
Total Monthly Price
$800

2 Bedroom, 1.5 Bath Townhome for Rent

Available Now

844 Horton Rd, Unit 59A, Unit 59A

844 Horton Rd
DurhamNC27704

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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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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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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Showing Results 1-50, Page 1 of 4

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 Studio unit found at Vivo Living Durham priced from $799. Vivo Living Ivy Creek 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
Vivo Living DurhamCARO-B - The Carolinas - BStudio,1BA$799
Vivo Living Ivy CreekSTDO - StudioStudio,1BA$799
Private Room with Walk-In Closet – Utilities & WiFi IncludedDillard (Inside Unit) - 1st floor - Suite A1BR,1BA$800
Rolling Hills ApartmentsRH 1B 1B1BR,1BA$835
Icon Downtown DurhamA1 Studio C Standard -Call for AvailabilityStudio,1BA$875
The Oaks at NorthgateThe Oak2BR,1BA$899
Strawberry Hill Apartments1 Bed 1 Bath1BR,1BA$900
Crossings @ 5011x1 Creekview Classic- Call for Availability1BR,1BA$900
Reserve @ Blu Townhomes1x1 Standard- Call For Availability1BR,1BA$900
Avalon EastThe Brightleaf 6501BR,1BA$902

Best Value Apartments for Rent in Downtown Durham, NC

As of May 17, 2026 the best value apartment in the Downtown Durham area is the $1.06 price per square foot B2 Model at Vetra Forest Hills - Lexington Street in the in the Fayetteville Street Corridor neighborhood starting from $1,595. The second greatest value Downtown Durham apartment is the Chesapeake Model at ReNew Durham starting at $1,279 with a $1.18 price per square foot in the Downtown Durham 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.
Vetra Forest Hills - Lexington StreetB22BR,2BA$1.06
ReNew DurhamChesapeake2BR,2BA$1.18
Georgetown Manor2 bedroom2BR,1.5BA$1.29
Colonial Townhouses- Students save up to 10%!Yorktown2BR,1.5BA$1.14
Monarch ApartmentsMonarch - 2 bed (With W/D units)2BR,2BA$1.30
Stonewood ApartmentsBirchwood2BR,1BA$1.33
Trinity Properties - Campus Walk2 bedroom/1 bath2BR,1BA$1.24
Juniper Square ApartmentsThe Terrace2BR,1BA$1.35
Viceroy ApartmentsVR 2x12BR,1BA$1.19
The Mews Apartments and TownhomesThe Dover1BR,1BA$1.25

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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Real Estate and Rental Term Glossary | ApartmentHomeLiving.com Renter University

From the letter A all the way to the letter Z, the Real Estate and Rental Term Glossary from the content team at ApartmentHomeLiving.com provides our visitors and shoppers with a little clarity and helpful guidance in navigating the real estate world through definitions and explainers for the top subjects and terms that someone may come across during the leasing, buying, or selling process.

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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 $902.

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

The cheapest apartment in Downtown Durham is Private Room with Walk-In Closet – Utilities & WiFi Included which is listed at $800, while the average apartment in Downtown Durham costs $2,496.

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 557 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 $999 which is $1,497 cheaper than the average rent for all rentals in Downtown Durham.

Expert Rental Resources

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.

Articles, How-To's, and Tips

decorative image for Your Guide to the Top 10 Affordable Neighborhoods to Rent in Durham, NC article

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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A Seasoned Property Manager's Step-by-Step Guide to Getting Your Deposit Back

Written by: Lauren Harrington

I’m going to talk with you as a seasoned property manager and friend. So, let’s start with your security deposit. I want you to think about this guide as insider information. You deserve your deposit back.

decorative image for Expert Solutions for Creating the Perfect Work-From-Home Apartment Layouts article

Expert Solutions for Creating the Perfect Work-From-Home Apartment Layouts

Written by: Lauren Harrington

This article is based on first-hand experience managing apartment communities and helping renters adapt to their spaces after moving in.

decorative image for What Does “Rent Burdened” Mean? How Much Rent Is Too Much article

What Does “Rent Burdened” Mean? How Much Rent Is Too Much

Written by: Lauren Harrington

This article draws from first-hand renter experiences and recurring financial challenges reported after moving in.