Student Housing Durham, NC

Durham is a major student in North Carolina. As the state's fourth largest metro area, it serves as the major hub for students and is also home to some of the best universities in the state. Every year, thousands of students come to the city to become a part of the vibrant student community in the city.

Now one of the main problems these students face even before coming into the United States is choosing the right property for student housing Durham. The rent for student housing in Durham is $765 and $1145 per month! This is where University Living comes into the picture. With over a decade plus experience in providing accommodations in several hundred cities across the globe, University Living is not just a brand, it’s a name that means trust and reliability. Therefore, if you are a student looking for student properties in Durham, you are at the right place.

Students can find their fit from a plethora of options for student housing in USA. These options are divided into 2 broad types: PBSAs (Purpose-Built Student Accommodations) and Private Apartments. These accommodation types offer students the opportunity to choose a student property without worrying about the budget. You can find student apartments in Durham starting at just $765 per month. Let’s discuss the accommodation types in brief:

PBSAs:

PBSAs are special properties that are made for students. These properties have everything that a student might require whilst their stay in the city and therefore, are best suited for international students. These PBSAs are further divided into 4 types to provide better options to students. These PBSAs include:

• Shared Apartments: These apartments are the most affordable option for student rooms in Durham. In these apartments, students get to share a room with 2/3 occupants with a shared bathroom, a shared kitchen, and a shared living room. These are best suited for new students who are in their early days in the city.

• En-Suite Accommodations: These accommodations are the most preferred property type among students in the city. Students get to have an entire room with a bathroom for themselves, along with a shared living room and a kitchen. These properties offer more privacy than a shared apartment and cost a little more as well.

• Non En-Suite Accommodations: These housing options are almost similar to an En-Suite accommodation. The only major difference between the two is that in a non-en-suite accommodation, the bathroom is shared among the occupants of the property.

• Studio Apartments: These apartments are the best accommodation type in a PBSA and are known for the high level of comfort and privacy that they have to offer. In a studio apartment, students get to have an entire room for themselves that is with a bathroom and a kitchen. Studio apartments do not come with a living room, and this independent unit is for just one person.

Private Apartments

Private Apartments are independent units that are available for lease for anyone coming to the city. These properties are mostly preferred by working professionals and students who have already spent at least 2-3 years in the city, as these properties do not include any furnishings or appliances. These apartments come as bare units that need to be set up entirely. Moreover, unlike PBSAs, utility bills like electricity, water and gas are not included in the rent. These bills are an extra on top of the rent. But privacy and freedom makes it all worth it in the end! These properties are best suited for both working professionals and students!

Durham is a dynamic city in North Carolina's Research Triangle region, known for its rich history, thriving innovation economy, and vibrant cultural scene. Once a major hub of the tobacco industry, Durham has reinvented itself as a center for healthcare, technology, and education, home to Duke University and its world-renowned medical system. The city's historic downtown, anchored by the restored American Tobacco Campus, now buzzes with trendy restaurants, craft breweries, live music venues, and the beloved Durham Bulls Athletic Park, home of the famous minor league baseball team. Durham's nickname, the "Bull City," reflects its industrial past, while its modern identity embraces diversity, creativity, and entrepreneurship. The city enjoys a humid subtropical climate with mild winters and warm summers, and its tree-lined neighborhoods offer a welcoming, laid-back atmosphere that balances Southern charm with urban energy.

Culturally, Durham stands out for its deep roots in the civil rights movement, African American heritage, and a celebrated food scene often called the "Tastiest Town in the South." The Hayti Heritage Center, Stagville plantation, and the Museum of Durham History preserve the city's complex past. Annual events like the Full Frame Documentary Film Festival, American Dance Festival, and Art of Cool Jazz Festival draw national attention. Durham's thriving arts district, located in the Golden Belt and Liberty Warehouse areas, showcases local galleries, studios, and murals. With its strong job market, relatively affordable cost of living, and a collaborative spirit between Duke, North Carolina Central University, and Research Triangle Park, Durham offers a high quality of life that attracts students, professionals, and families alike.

There are several options to choose from when it comes to student housing in North Carolina. However, there are a few things that must be kept in mind while looking for the right student property in the city. The property must be located close to the university that you’ve chosen, and also near major public transit systems. The rent for student apartments in Durham ranges between $765 and $1145 per month! Some of the top housing options for students in Durham include:

• Crosstown at Chapel Hill

• Uncommon Raleigh

• Live on Hillsborough

• Redpoint Raleigh

• Chapel Ridge

• Campus Crossings Raleigh

• The Wilde Raleigh

Note: Looking for student housing in Durham? Speak to our housing experts now and get exclusive discounts!

Durham is the fourth-largest city in North Carolina and is, therefore, quite an expensive city in the state. However, when compared to other major American cities like NYC, Los Angeles or San Francisco, Durham is a steal deal in terms of cost of living. Although the cost of living is a personal concept that is determined by the type of choices you make and the lifestyle you lead, if you plan your expenses and budget properly, you can expect to spend a month in Durham in well under $1000 a month. The table below highlights some of the major expenses that you might undertake as a student in Durham:

Note: Students must note that these figures are subject to change based on their actual consumption and expenses in the city. However, if you want to have a better idea on the cost of living in Durham, you can use University Living’s exclusive cost-of-living calculator.

Durham is the major city in North Carolina and is spread across a total area of around 115 square miles, which means the city has an ample amount of area to fit its population of more than 300,000 residents. Although the city is one of the safest in the state, not every area is built for student housing. There are special neighbourhoods that already have an established student community.

West Campus Area

One of the top neighborhoods for student housing in Durham is the West Campus, which is the primary hub for students at Duke University. Located around the famous 9th Street commercial district, this neighborhood provides the best combination of proximity and convenience. West Campus is very diverse and has a mixture of older apartment complexes, duplexes, and newer luxury buildings designed for students. The neighborhood as an energetic and blissful vibe and is located on a short 5-minute walk to the university! One of the best ice cream parlors in entire North Carolina, the Parlous is especially famous for its salted butter caramel ice cream and is a top spot for students during a scorching summer day! If you are craving a morning caffeine hit, Cocoa Cinnamon is your go-to place, and it is so famous that it has 3 outlets in the city! West Campus also houses the Duke University Chapel & Sarah P. Duke Gardens, which are the most visited landmarks in the city. The average rent for student housing in West Campus ranges between $1000 and $1400 per month!

Downtown Durham

Also popularly known as the American Tobacco District, Downtown Durham is one of the top neighborhoods for student apartments in Durham and is the best suited for students who seek an urban lifestyle, close to the culture and entertainment of the city! Downtown is famous for its rooftop bars, award-winning restaurants, and indie shops, and is located just a short 2-3 miles away from Duke University and NCCU. The neighborhood also houses the famous Durham Hotel Rooftop, which is an aesthetic, mid-century boutique hotel with a rooftop bar offering some of the best sunset views in the city. They are exceptionally famous for their homemade Nutty Buddy ice cream cones. One of Durham’s most iconic dining location, the Mateo Bar de Tapas is also located in downtown and is famous for its top-tier Spanish small plates and wine, as well as roasted marrow and potato bravas. The average rent for student properties in Downtown ranges between $900 and $1200 per month!

Spaulding Community

One of the top locations for the students at North Carolina Central University (NCCU), Spaulding Community is located right adjacent to the university and is just a short 5-minute walk away. It is a quiet, residential area located south of downtown Durham and was named after C.C. Spaulding, a prominent figure on historic Black Wall Street. It is famous for housing one of the best recreational spaces in the city for students and residents, the Hillside Park & Community Swimming Pool. It is also home to the famous Black Wall Street, an historic Parrish Street area to learn about the legacy of Black businessmen who thrived despite segregation. Spaulding Community is particularly famous for its seafood scene, and the Saltbox Seafood Joint is the perfect spot for you if you are a seafood lover. The average rent for student properties in Spaulding Community ranges between $800 and $1200 per month.

Hope Valley

Located in Southwest Durham, Hope Valley is one of the most affordable neighborhoods for student housing in Durham and is a very vibrant and welcoming neighborhood that blends suburban tranquility with the energy of nearby urban amenities. Hope Valley is an excellent choice for students, faculty and working professionals solely due to its affordability and proximity to Duke University, which is a short 15-minute bus ride away from the neighborhood. It also has great connectivity to the rest of the city through the GoDurham bus service. One of the best locations in the neigihborhood if you are craving Southern American cuisine is Nanas Rockwood, and it is loved by the locals of the city. The Duke Martini and the grits soufflé are two of the best things that you cannot afford to miss in the restaurant! The average rent for student properties in Hope Valley ranges between $750 and $1000 per month!

One of the major concerns for students before coming to Durham is travelling in the city! However, managed by the GoDurham and GoTriangle Regional Buses, the city has developed an extensive network of public transit systems that help the millions of residents in the city to travel from one end to the other. Especially for students, there are other public transit systems run by several universities in the city, which are available only to students. All of these modes of transport are explained briefly below:

GoDurham and GoTriangle Regional Buses

One of the primary modes of public transit in and around Durham are the GoDurham and GoTriangle Regional Buses. These services are free for all passengers until June 2026 and provide excellent connectivity throughout the city. The GoTriangle buses are best suited for students who live in Raleigh or Chapel Hill but are pursuing education in Durham! These services run from 6:00 AM to 10:00 PM from Mondays to Saturdays and from 8:00 AM to 8:00 PM on Sundays! The key routes for students near the Duke campus are Route 6 and Route 11/11B. Route 400 and the DRX (Durham-Raleigh Express) are the most widely used GoTriangle bus routes in the region!

Duke Transit System

Duke University is a mix of bus services and late-night services (Duke Vans). Both the Duke Bus and Vans services are free for students and are widely used by students of the university. Duke Vans operates within a 1.5-mile radius of the campus and is best suited for students who stay up late in the university for studying or researching!

Durham is a spectacular city which is also a very important part of American history. The city is home to several monuments and places that you cannot afford to miss as a tourist or student living in the city. These tourist spots attract millions of tourists every year to the city! Some of the top spots are mentioned below:

Sarah P. Duke Gardens

Spanning across 55 acres with 5-miles of dedicated pathways featuring magnolias, roses, camellias, peonies, and lily-filled ponds, the Sarah P. Duke Gardens is one of the most splendid gardens that you could ever see in a lifetime! Open to the public for free for 365 days a year, these gardens are so delightful to visit. The Gardens are currently undergoing the Garden Gateway Project construction; therefore, we can expect something more exciting within a short period of time! Sarah P. Duke Gardens is a must-visit in the city!

Durham Bulls Athletic Park

Home to the Durham Bulls minor league baseball team, one of the most famous and successful teams in the league, the Durham Bulls Athletic Park is a major tourist attraction in the city and stays completely packed during the Baseball season from mid-April through mid-September. The stadium focuses on local vendors and offers a classic American ballpark experience and features fireworks on the Friday and Saturday nights!

American Tobacco Campus

The historic complex of former tobacco warehouses and factories, the American Tobacco Campus, was transformed into a vibrant urban hub for recreation! The campus features several shops, restaurants, museums, performance spaces, and a river flowing through the area! Some of the best bars and eateries on campus include Mellow Mushroom, Tyler's, and Cafe Zen. The best part is, the American Tobacco Campus is connected to the Durham Bulls Athletic Park, which allows visitors to walk between destinations quickly!