Downtown Durham (prime, ~$42/sqft/yr) is one of 5 Raleigh-Durham Class A submarkets we track.

  • Downtown Durham sits at prime tier.
  • Average rent $42/sqft/yr vs city average 36.
  • Compared submarkets: Downtown Raleigh (trophy), Research Triangle Park (trophy), North Hills (prime).

Downtown Durham vs other Raleigh-Durham submarkets

Downtown Durham (prime, ~$42/sqft/yr) is one of 5 Raleigh-Durham Class A submarkets we track.

TL;DR

  • Downtown Durham sits at prime tier.
  • Average rent $42/sqft/yr vs city average 36.
  • Compared submarkets: Downtown Raleigh (trophy), Research Triangle Park (trophy), North Hills (prime).

Side-by-side with peers

**Downtown Raleigh** (trophy, $44/sqft/yr) — The state-capital trophy core. **Research Triangle Park** (trophy, $38/sqft/yr) — The historic life-sciences and tech anchor. **North Hills** (prime, $40/sqft/yr) — Premier suburban mixed-use Class A. **Cary / Morrisville** (established, $32/sqft/yr) — Tech-tilted suburban submarket near RDU.

Key facts

cityRaleigh-Durham
submarketDowntown Durham
tierprime
averageRentLocal$42/sqft/yr
cityClassARentUsd$36/sqft/yr
cityVacancyPct16.8%

Frequently asked questions

What other submarkets compete with Downtown Durham in Raleigh-Durham?
Downtown Raleigh, Research Triangle Park, North Hills

Related

Editorial provenance

Reviewed by Class A Atlas Editorial Desk — House byline · global editorial team. Last updated 2026-04-15. See our methodology and editorial standards.

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