2-Bedroom Apartment Rent in Durham, NC
Median asking rent for a 2-bedroom apartment in Durham, North Carolina as of August 2026. That's +9% higher than the citywide median of $1,675 and +11% above the national 2-bedroom median of $1,655.
Income needed for a 2-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 2-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 2-bedroom in North Carolina
| # | City | 2-Bedroom rent |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Gibsonville | $726 |
| 2 | Ranlo | $844 |
| 3 | Lumberton | $930 |
| 4 | Shelby | $930 |
| 5 | Bessemer City | $932 |
| 6 | Marion | $940 |
| 7 | Aberdeen | $950 |
| 8 | Kings Mountain | $990 |
| 9 | Waynesville | $991 |
| 10 | Lexington | $995 |
| 11 | Mount Airy | $1,000 |
| 12 | Albemarle | $1,010 |
| 13 | Henderson | $1,010 |
| 14 | Lillington | $1,020 |
| 15 | Lenoir | $1,030 |
Most expensive cities for a 2-bedroom in North Carolina
| # | City | 2-Bedroom rent |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Harrisburg | $2,740 |
| 2 | Holly Springs | $2,160 |
| 3 | Waxhaw | $2,140 |
| 4 | Apex | $2,107 |
| 5 | Davidson | $2,070 |
| 6 | Surf City | $2,067 |
| 7 | Kill Devil Hills | $2,029 |
| 8 | Pineville | $1,980 |
| 9 | Cary | $1,943 |
| 10 | Mint Hill | $1,900 |
| 11 | Fuquay Varina | $1,840 |
| 12 | Durham (this page) | $1,832 |
| 13 | Wake Forest | $1,790 |
| 14 | Huntersville | $1,768 |
| 15 | Arden | $1,760 |
Nearby cities — 2-bedroom rent
Considering nearby alternatives? 5 of these cities have cheaper 2-bedroom rents than Durham.
| City | Distance | 2-Bedroom rent | vs Durham |
|---|---|---|---|
| Morrisville, NC | 9.6 mi | $1,548 | $-284 (-16%) |
| Chapel Hill, NC | 10.7 mi | $1,588 | $-244 (-13%) |
| Cary, NC | 15.2 mi | $1,943 | +$111 (+6%) |
| Hillsborough, NC | 15.2 mi | $1,740 | $-92 (-5%) |
| Carrboro, NC | 16 mi | $1,384 | $-448 (-24%) |
| Apex, NC | 17.7 mi | $2,107 | +$275 (+15%) |
| Raleigh, NC | 20 mi | $1,437 | $-395 (-22%) |
| Wake Forest, NC | 23.7 mi | $1,790 | $-42 (-2%) |
| Holly Springs, NC | 25.1 mi | $2,160 | +$328 (+18%) |
| Pittsboro, NC | 26.4 mi | $1,470 | $-362 (-20%) |
| Mebane, NC | 27.8 mi | $1,470 | $-362 (-20%) |
| Fuquay Varina, NC | 30.4 mi | $1,840 | +$8 (0%) |
2-Bedroom rent in Durham — common questions
How much is a 2-bedroom apartment in Durham?
As of August 2026, the median 2-bedroom apartment rent in Durham, North Carolina is $1,832 per month. This is +9% higher than the citywide median of $1,675.
What income do you need to afford a 2-bedroom in Durham?
Using the standard 30% rent-to-income rule, you would need an annual income of about $73,280 ($6,107/month gross), which works out to roughly $35.23/hour at a full-time job.
Is Durham expensive for a 2-bedroom compared to the rest of the US?
Durham's 2-bedroom median of $1,832 is +11% above the national 2-bedroom median of $1,655. It ranks in the 60th percentile of US cities tracked.
How does Durham rank for 2-bedroom rent in North Carolina?
Among the 125 cities in North Carolina with 2-bedroom data, Durham ranks #114 from cheapest to most expensive.
Are there cheaper 2-bedroom options near Durham?
Yes — nearby cities with cheaper 2-bedroom rents include Morrisville ($1,548), Chapel Hill ($1,588), Hillsborough ($1,740).