Durham, North Carolina | City Guide for Travel Healthcare Pros

Durham is part of North Carolina’s Research Triangle, offering a strong healthcare scene (think Duke University Hospital, etc.), education, tech, and vibrant downtown life. For travel nurses, it combines big‑city amenities with a manageable cost of living and plenty of housing options.

💰 Cost of Living

• Overall cost of living is about 1–2% below the U.S. average. Raleigh Realty+2Apartments.com+2

• Housing/rent in Durham tends to be slightly above the U.S. average (~2% higher) though utilities and transportation tend to be lower. Payscale+1

• Example: Average monthly rent for a 1‑bed apartment is in the ~$1,300–$1,800 range depending on location. Apartments.com+1

🌤️ Weather by Month

Month	Avg High	Avg Low	Description
January	~50°F	~32°F	❄ Cooler, occasional winter mix
February	~55°F	~35°F	🌥 Early spring signs
March	~63°F	~42°F	🌱 Warming up
April	~72°F	~50°F	🌼 Pleasant, good outdoor month
May	~80°F	~60°F	☀ Comfortable, green and growing
June	~88°F	~67°F	🌤 Warm, humid begins
July	~90°F	~70°F	☀ Hot and humid
August	~89°F	~70°F	🔥 Peak summer, still humid
September	~85°F	~65°F	🍂 Slightly cooler nights
October	~75°F	~55°F	🍁 Fall, beautiful and mild
November	~65°F	~45°F	🌬 Cooler evenings, crisp days
December	~55°F	~35°F	❄ Mild winter

🛏️ Furnished Housing Options

Here are a few solid links for furnished monthly rentals geared toward travel nurses:

• Furnished Rentals – Durham, NC (Travel Nurse Housing) — Several hundred listings. Travel Nurse Housing

• Furnished Apartments – Durham, NC on Zillow — Filtered for furnished units. Zillow

• Example Listing: Studio Apt near Duke – Furnished Finder — Includes utilities, private entrance. Furnished Finder

🏨 Extended Stay Hotels

Great options for long‑term hotel style:

• WoodSpring Suites – Durham / Morrisville (Extended Stay) — Weekly/monthly rates. WoodSpring Suites

• Extended Stay America – Raleigh‑Durham Area — Full kitchens, ideal for longer stays. Extended Stay America

• Choice Hotels – Extended Stay Durham, NC — Filtered list of long‑stay hotel options. Choice Hotels

  
  

🚐 RV Parks & Campgrounds

If you’re rolling in with an RV or want monthly site stay:

• Triangle RV Park North – Durham, NC — Long‑term friendly, full hookups near downtown. Triangle RV Park

• RV Parks Near Durham, NC – GoodSam Directory — List of 30+ sites within ~50 mi. Good Sam

• Spring Hill RV Park – Near Durham/Chapel Hill — 64 full‑hookup sites, close to area hospitals. Spring Hill RV Park

🎉 Things to Do in Durham

• Explore the revitalized downtown: the American Tobacco Campus, local restaurants, craft breweries.

• Visit the campus areas of Duke University and its extensive gardens and trails.

• Walk the trails of the Eno River State Park for nature escapes within the city region.

• Enjoy the food scene, live music, and community events that give Durham a good mix of small‑city charm and urban energy.

🧳 Nearby Weekend Trips

• Day trip to Raleigh (~30‑40 min) for big‑city amenities without long drive.

• Head to Chapel Hill (~20 min) for college town vibe and arts.

• Drive out to the NC coast or mountains for getaways when you need a break from the hustle.

⏳ Summary

Durham is a compelling option for travel nurses: reliable hospital market, good housing choices, and a cost of living that’s very reasonable for the southeast.

✅ Strong healthcare/hospital infrastructure

✅ Furnished housing, hotel, and RV options available

✅ Balanced cost of living — lower than many large metro markets

🔍 Consider commute & location: living closer to hospital campuses helps, and parking/transportation can be important

Disclosure: The information provided in this guide is what I use to send my travelers and is obtained through ChatGPT, utilizing prompts I frequently use as a travel nurse recruiter. The content is designed to help travelers make informed decisions about potential destinations.