2-Bedroom Apartment Rent in Durham, NC
Median asking rent for a 2-bedroom apartment in Durham, North Carolina as of October 2026. That's +13% higher than the citywide median of $1,626 and +11% above the national 2-bedroom median of $1,657.
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 | Shelby | $930 |
| 4 | Bessemer City | $932 |
| 5 | Marion | $940 |
| 6 | Aberdeen | $950 |
| 7 | Kings Mountain | $990 |
| 8 | Waynesville | $991 |
| 9 | Lexington | $995 |
| 10 | Mount Airy | $1,000 |
| 11 | Albemarle | $1,010 |
| 12 | Henderson | $1,010 |
| 13 | Lillington | $1,020 |
| 14 | Washington | $1,040 |
| 15 | Archdale | $1,060 |
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 | Cornelius | $2,030 |
| 7 | Surf City | $1,959 |
| 8 | Cary | $1,943 |
| 9 | Mint Hill | $1,900 |
| 10 | Carrboro | $1,870 |
| 11 | Fuquay Varina | $1,840 |
| 12 | Durham (this page) | $1,832 |
| 13 | Wake Forest | $1,790 |
| 14 | Arden | $1,760 |
| 15 | Huntersville | $1,757 |
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 | $1,512 | $-320 (-17%) |
| Chapel Hill, NC | 10.7 mi | $1,611 | $-221 (-12%) |
| Cary, NC | 15.2 mi | $1,943 | +$111 (+6%) |
| Hillsborough, NC | 15.2 mi | $1,740 | $-92 (-5%) |
| Carrboro, NC | 16 mi | $1,870 | +$38 (+2%) |
| Apex, NC | 17.7 mi | $2,107 | +$275 (+15%) |
| Creedmoor, NC | 17.7 mi | $1,550 | $-282 (-15%) |
| Raleigh, NC | 20 mi | $1,434 | $-398 (-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%) |
2-Bedroom rent in Durham — common questions
How much is a 2-bedroom apartment in Durham?
As of October 2026, the median 2-bedroom apartment rent in Durham, North Carolina is $1,832 per month. This is +13% higher than the citywide median of $1,626.
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 $1,657. It ranks in the 60th percentile of US cities tracked.
How does Durham rank for 2-bedroom rent in North Carolina?
Among the 127 cities in North Carolina with 2-bedroom data, Durham ranks #116 from cheapest to most expensive.
Are there cheaper 2-bedroom options near Durham?
Yes — nearby cities with cheaper 2-bedroom rents include Morrisville ($1,512), Chapel Hill ($1,611), Hillsborough ($1,740).