9 Most Affordable Durham, NC, Suburbs to Live In

Whether you want to call it by its nickname, “Bull City,” or just by its name, Durham is a great city to live in the Southeast. Durham is home to 285,500 people and is known for its healthcare industry, research facilities, and college campuses.

If you’re considering buying a home in Durham, it’s important to keep in mind that the median home sale price is $379,000, and the average sale price per square foot is $216. And if you’re a renter, the average rent price for a 2-bedroom apartment in Durham is $1,702.

Don’t worry if those prices don’t fit in your budget – we’ve got options to help you find a home or apartment that does. We’ve collected the 9 best affordable Durham, NC, suburbs to consider living in. And the best part is that they’re all less than 45 minutes away from the city center. That way you can live close to Durham and all its cool activities without the price tag of buying a home there.

#1: Roxboro

Median home price: $191,250 
Average sale price per square foot: $143 
Driving distance from Durham: 45 minutes
Roxboro, NC homes for sale
Roxboro, NC apartments for rent

With a median home sale price of $191,250, Roxboro lands the number one spot on our list as the most affordable Durham suburb. About 8,100 people live in this suburban area and you’ll only be about 45 minutes away from downtown Durham. If you’re considering moving to this area make sure to visit the Person County Museum of History and check out downtown Roxboro.

#2: Butner

Median home price: $270,000 
Average sale price per square foot: $167 
Driving distance from Durham: 20 minutes
Butner, NC homes for sale
Butner, NC apartments for rent

Another one of the great Durham, NC, suburbs is Butner. About a 20-minute drive away from downtown Durham, you can see a show at The Carolina Theatre in just a quick drive. Living in Butner, you’ll want to visit the Town of Butner Gazebo Park. When living in this suburb of 8,400 people, you can also spend the day visiting the charming downtown.

#3: Mebane

Median home price: $309,325 
Average sale price per square foot: $173 
Driving distance from Durham: 30 minutes
Mebane, NC homes for sale
Mebane, NC apartments for rent

Drive just 30 minutes outside of Durham and you’ll reach Mebane, another great suburb. Even with a population of about 17,800, there are plenty of cool things to check out in Mebane. If you find yourself moving here, make sure to stop by one of the great local restaurants or bars in the downtown area or spend the day at Lake Michael. 

#4: Garner

Median home price: $370,000 
Average sale price per square foot: $192 
Average rent for a 2-bedroom apartment: $2,129 
Driving distance from Durham: 40 minutes
Garner, NC homes for sale
Garner, NC apartments for rent

Only slightly more expensive than Mebane is Garner, the next suburb on our list. There are several top attractions you may want to check out in Durham suburb. Make sure to spend the afternoon at Lake Benson and explore White Deer Park Nature Center.

#5: Raleigh

Median home price: $389,658 
Average sale price per square foot: $212 
Average rent for a 2-bedroom apartment: $1,670 
Driving distance from Durham: 35 minutes
Raleigh, NC homes for sale
Raleigh, NC apartments for rent

35 minutes away from downtown Durham is Raleigh, another great city to consider moving to. Home to 467,700 residents, this affordable town can be a great choice for people looking to remain close to Durham without paying the price for a home in the city. Living in Raleigh, you can visit one of the numerous museums like the North Carolina Museum of Art, check out downtown Raleigh and the historic districts, and explore William B. Umstead State Park.

#6: Hillsborough

Median home price: $426,500 
Average sale price per square foot: $216 
Driving distance from Durham: 20 minutes
Hillsborough, NC homes for sale
Hillsborough, NC apartments for rent

Sixth on the list is another one of the well-known Durham, NC, suburbs, Hillsborough, where the median home sale price is $426,500. Hillsborough has about 9,700 residents and is a great suburb to consider buying a home or renting an apartment in this year. And you’ll have easy access to what makes this suburb unique. Make sure to visit Gold Park, stop by the Historic Occoneechee Speedway Trailhead, and explore the Occoneechee Mountain State Natural Area.

#7: Fuquay-Varina

Median home price: $459,500 
Average sale price per square foot: $191 
Driving distance from Durham: 40 minutes
Fuquay-Varina, NC homes for sale
Fuquay-Varina, NC apartments for rent

Coming in seventh place on our list of affordable Durham suburbs is Fuquay-Varina, which is only a 40-minute drive into the heart of the city. With a population of nearly 34,200, you’ll be living in a smaller area, but there’s no shortage of things to do in Fuquay-Varina. Don’t miss out on checking out the Carroll Howard Johnson Environmental Park once living in Fuquay-Varina.

#8: Wake Forest

Median home price: $470,000 
Average sale price per square foot: $203 
Driving distance from Durham: 40 minutes
Wake Forest, NC homes for sale
Wake Forest, NC apartments for rent

Living in Durham, it’s likely that you know of Wake Forest, the eighth suburb on our list. About 47,600 people reside in Wake Forest, so you’ll have a fraction of Durham’s population while remaining only 40 minutes from the city. Be sure to walk through E. Carroll Joyner Park and check out the quaint downtown area once you move to Wake Forest. 

#9: Holly Springs

Median home price: $585,000 
Average sale price per square foot: $213 
Driving distance from Durham: 30 minutes
Holly Springs, NC homes for sale
Holly Springs, NC apartments for rent

Finishing off our list of affordable Durham, NC, suburbs is none other than Holly Springs. Only 30 minutes away from the city-center, you may just want to consider living in Holly Springs. Close to 41,200 people live in this suburb, but there’s always somewhere new to check out in Holly Springs.

Methodology: Affordability is based on whether a suburb’s median home sale price or average sale price per square foot is less than Durham and under a 45-minute drive from downtown Durham. Median home sale price data from the Redfin Data Center during March 2023. Average rental data from Rent.com March 2023. Population data sourced from the United States Census Bureau.

The post 9 Most Affordable Durham, NC, Suburbs to Live In appeared first on Redfin | Real Estate Tips for Home Buying, Selling & More.