1-Bedroom Apartment Rent in Durham, NC
Median asking rent for a 1-bedroom apartment in Durham, North Carolina as of October 2026. That's +2% lower than the citywide median of $1,626 and +15% above the national 1-bedroom median of $1,395.
Income needed for a 1-bedroom in Durham
Using the standard 30% rent-to-income guideline (the threshold above which households are considered rent-burdened), here's what you need to earn to comfortably afford a 1-bedroom at the current median rent.
Rent by apartment size in Durham
Compare Durham's median rent across every apartment size.
Cheapest cities for a 1-bedroom in North Carolina
| # | City | 1-Bedroom rent |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ranlo | $483 |
| 2 | Shelby | $710 |
| 3 | Albemarle | $770 |
| 4 | Henderson | $770 |
| 5 | Lillington | $780 |
| 6 | Bessemer City | $799 |
| 7 | Beaufort | $820 |
| 8 | Kings Mountain | $820 |
| 9 | Raeford | $820 |
| 10 | Aberdeen | $830 |
| 11 | Gibsonville | $836 |
| 12 | Marion | $840 |
| 13 | Washington | $840 |
| 14 | Kinston | $850 |
| 15 | Mount Airy | $850 |
Most expensive cities for a 1-bedroom in North Carolina
| # | City | 1-Bedroom rent |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Harrisburg | $2,470 |
| 2 | Holly Springs | $1,950 |
| 3 | Waxhaw | $1,930 |
| 4 | Apex | $1,897 |
| 5 | Davidson | $1,870 |
| 6 | Cornelius | $1,830 |
| 7 | Cary | $1,755 |
| 8 | Mint Hill | $1,720 |
| 9 | Carrboro | $1,635 |
| 10 | Indian Trail | $1,631 |
| 11 | Fuquay Varina | $1,630 |
| 12 | Wake Forest | $1,620 |
| 13 | Durham (this page) | $1,600 |
| 14 | Huntersville | $1,586 |
| 15 | Knightdale | $1,580 |
Nearby cities — 1-bedroom rent
Considering nearby alternatives? 5 of these cities have cheaper 1-bedroom rents than Durham.
| City | Distance | 1-Bedroom rent | vs Durham |
|---|---|---|---|
| Morrisville, NC | 9.6 mi | $1,356 | $-244 (-15%) |
| Chapel Hill, NC | 10.7 mi | $1,410 | $-190 (-12%) |
| Cary, NC | 15.2 mi | $1,755 | +$155 (+10%) |
| Hillsborough, NC | 15.2 mi | $1,520 | $-80 (-5%) |
| Carrboro, NC | 16 mi | $1,635 | +$35 (+2%) |
| Apex, NC | 17.7 mi | $1,897 | +$297 (+19%) |
| Creedmoor, NC | 17.7 mi | $1,400 | $-200 (-12%) |
| Raleigh, NC | 20 mi | $1,295 | $-305 (-19%) |
| Wake Forest, NC | 23.7 mi | $1,620 | +$20 (+1%) |
| Holly Springs, NC | 25.1 mi | $1,950 | +$350 (+22%) |
| Pittsboro, NC | 26.4 mi | $1,280 | $-320 (-20%) |
| Mebane, NC | 27.8 mi | $1,280 | $-320 (-20%) |
1-Bedroom rent in Durham — common questions
How much is a 1-bedroom apartment in Durham?
As of October 2026, the median 1-bedroom apartment rent in Durham, North Carolina is $1,600 per month. This is +2% below the citywide median of $1,626.
What income do you need to afford a 1-bedroom in Durham?
Using the standard 30% rent-to-income rule, you would need an annual income of about $64,000 ($5,333/month gross), which works out to roughly $30.77/hour at a full-time job.
Is Durham expensive for a 1-bedroom compared to the rest of the US?
Durham's 1-bedroom median of $1,600 is +15% above the national 1-bedroom median of $1,395. It ranks in the 63th percentile of US cities tracked.
How does Durham rank for 1-bedroom rent in North Carolina?
Among the 125 cities in North Carolina with 1-bedroom data, Durham ranks #113 from cheapest to most expensive.
Are there cheaper 1-bedroom options near Durham?
Yes — nearby cities with cheaper 1-bedroom rents include Morrisville ($1,356), Chapel Hill ($1,410), Hillsborough ($1,520).