Catching early flights while keeping your RTP commute under control can feel like a juggling act. If you split time between meetings, campus visits, and frequent travel, the right neighborhood can add hours back to your week. In this guide, you’ll see how top Raleigh-area communities stack up on drive times, price ranges as of late 2025 and January 2026, and everyday tradeoffs. You’ll also get quick tips on transit updates, road projects, and a simple checklist to narrow your search. Let’s dive in.
Why RDU and RTP shape your search
Raleigh–Durham International Airport (RDU) sits in Morrisville between Raleigh and Durham, placing many suburbs within an easy drive. Under normal traffic, downtown Raleigh is often about 15 to 25 minutes from the airport, while Morrisville and parts of Cary or Brier Creek can be single-digit minutes away. Research Triangle Park lies just west of Morrisville and Cary, so a home near the airport can also put you close to many RTP campuses. That central positioning makes neighborhoods in this corridor especially attractive to frequent flyers and RTP professionals. For a quick location overview, see this summary of RDU’s regional placement.
Citywide home values provide helpful context. Public data snapshots from January 2026 show Raleigh’s median sale price around $395,000 and a typical home value near $425,000, depending on the data source and method. Neighborhood medians often sit well above or below those figures, so think in ranges and verify current comps once you’re ready to tour.
Neighborhoods near RDU and RTP
Below are commonly considered areas when airport and RTP access are top priorities. Price references come from late 2025 to January 2026 snapshots across major platforms. Always confirm with live MLS data for your specific home type and micro-location.
Airport-adjacent: Morrisville, Brier Creek, West Cary fringe
- Commute snapshot: Many Morrisville and Brier Creek addresses are about 5 to 10 minutes to RDU in off-peak hours. West Cary near the RTP edge is often about 10 to 20 minutes to the terminals. RTP itself is typically a short drive from these neighborhoods.
- Price band (late 2025 to Jan 2026): Morrisville medians commonly landed in the mid $400,000s. Brier Creek neighborhood snapshots often showed around $400,000 to $430,000, depending on the product type and exact boundaries.
- Housing feel: You’ll see newer subdivisions and townhome communities with HOA amenities, plus easy access to hotels and meeting venues.
- Tradeoffs to consider: Walkability is moderate in most pockets. Aircraft noise varies by address. Before you buy, review RDU’s aircraft noise resources and overlay guidance for the latest contours and contacts.
RTP-proximal sweet spot: Cary, Morrisville, western Raleigh with I-40/NC-55 access
- Commute snapshot: Many Cary and Morrisville addresses are about 5 to 25 minutes to core RTP sites, depending on the campus location and peak-hour conditions.
- Price band (Jan 2026): Cary’s median sale price commonly appeared in the mid $500,000s, with some averages closer to the low $600,000s depending on submarket and dataset. Morrisville and RTP-edge pockets often tracked in the mid $400,000s to low $500,000s.
- Housing feel: Established master-planned neighborhoods, a mix of single-family and townhomes, and strong retail corridors. Lots can be larger in some Cary communities.
- Tradeoffs to consider: You’ll likely rely on highways for daily commuting. Many RTP workers accept slightly higher purchase prices to reduce time in traffic.
Midtown and North Raleigh: North Hills, Crabtree, Wakefield
- Commute snapshot: Often about 15 to 30 minutes to RDU or RTP depending on your route. Proximity to I-540 improves direct access to westbound corridors.
- Price band (Jan 2026): North Hills showed high neighborhood medians, frequently near the upper end of Raleigh pricing. Expect a broad range roughly $600,000 to $1 million-plus, varying by street, home age, and exact boundaries.
- Housing feel: Mixed-use hubs, walkable dining and retail, condos and townhomes, and luxury single-family pockets.
- Tradeoffs to consider: You’ll pay a premium for midtown convenience even if the commute time is similar to some farther suburbs.
Inside the Beltline and Downtown: Five Points, Glenwood South, Cameron Village, Downtown Raleigh
- Commute snapshot: Typically about 20 to 35 minutes to RDU or RTP by car, with variability at peak times.
- Price band (Jan 2026): Downtown medians hovered around the mid $400,000s for many snapshots, while nearby Inside-the-Beltline areas such as Five Points often ranged from about $700,000 to over $1 million for single-family homes. Condos near Cameron Village can present lower entry points with wide variation by building and size.
- Housing feel: Historic streets, smaller lots, and high walkability to restaurants, nightlife, and in-city offices.
- Tradeoffs to consider: Longer or less predictable RTP drives and older homes that may need updates.
Northwest and West Raleigh corridors: Leesville, Wakefield, Park West area
- Commute snapshot: Often about 15 to 30 minutes to RDU or RTP via I-540 and US-70. Some routes avoid interstates and offer consistent travel times.
- Price band (late 2025 to Jan 2026): Expect a wide spread, roughly $350,000 to $700,000-plus depending on age, lot size, and whether you’re buying new construction or an older resale.
- Housing feel: Mix of established single-family neighborhoods and newer developments, with a variety of footprints and floor plans.
- Tradeoffs to consider: Values can be attractive per square foot, but pricing varies by micro-neighborhood, school assignment zones, and renovation level.
Transit and road updates to watch
Public transit is adding options for airport and RTP access, though most commuters still drive. GoTriangle operates regional routes with an RDU shuttle that connects the airport with the Regional Transit Center. Schedules and alignments are evolving, with service changes effective March 2026. For current details, review the GoTriangle airport connections and shuttle overview.
Longer term, a new multimodal transit hub is planned for RTP that could improve direct bus or bus-rapid connections and support transit-oriented development. This kind of investment can reshuffle commute math for certain neighborhoods. You can track progress through recent coverage of the planned RTP transit hub.
Road projects are also changing drive times. The state’s Complete 540 expansions and targeted US-70 improvements aim to improve outer-loop access and key corridors. Expect some short-term construction delays and longer-term time savings once segments open. For a project snapshot, see the Complete 540 project profile.
Quick checklist to focus your search
Use these shortcuts to narrow options based on your top priorities. Budgets reflect late 2025 to January 2026 ranges.
Goal: Under 10 minutes to RDU
- Start with Morrisville and parts of Brier Creek or RDU-edge Cary.
- Typical median or entry options: about $400,000 to $600,000 for many resales.
- Tip: Check RDU’s noise contour resources early in your search.
Goal: Under 20 minutes door-to-desk at RTP (drive)
- Focus on West Cary, Morrisville, RTP-edge Raleigh, and some North Raleigh pockets.
- Plan for about $450,000 to $750,000-plus depending on lot size and micro-location.
- Tip: Some RTP sites offer last-mile shuttle or ride-share support. Confirm with your employer.
Goal: Walkable urban lifestyle
- Consider Downtown Raleigh, Five Points, Cameron Village, and North Hills.
- Budget roughly $500,000 to $1 million-plus for single-family, often less for condos or townhomes.
- Tip: Expect more variable RTP and airport drive times during peak hours.
Goal: Lower cost per square foot with balanced access
- Explore outer Wake County towns or northeast/south Raleigh corridors for value.
- Many options run about $300,000 to $450,000 with longer commutes.
- Tip: Test your peak-hour route before committing.
How pricing sources differ
If you see different numbers for the same neighborhood, you are not imagining it. Providers define boundaries differently, sample different time windows, and use distinct metrics. Some track closed MLS sales, while others estimate typical values for the entire housing stock. The best move is to review a range from multiple sources dated to the same month, then verify with live MLS comps for your target home style and features.
Smart next steps for frequent flyers and RTP pros
- Pin your commute windows. List your most common trips, then map them at off-peak and peak times.
- Decide on housing type. Single-family vs. townhome often shifts both commute and maintenance.
- Note quality-of-life tradeoffs. Walkability, lot size, and HOA amenities can change daily routines.
- Track projects. Transit service changes and road work can improve access after you buy. Keep an eye on GoTriangle’s RDU connections and the Complete 540 project.
- Check noise early if you prioritize proximity to RDU. Start with RDU’s aircraft noise page.
Work with a local, hands-on guide
If you are relocating or right-sizing, a consultative approach saves time and stress. You will benefit from local insight on micro-neighborhoods, HOA details, and resale dynamics, especially if you are considering low-maintenance or active-adult communities. As a relocation-focused, full-service Realtor based in Brier Creek, I help you compare neighborhoods, coordinate tours, and manage the process from offer through closing so your move stays on schedule.
Ready to talk through your options near RDU and RTP? Reach out to Karen Tehrani for a personalized Triangle community consultation or a data-backed valuation if you are selling.
FAQs
Is it cheaper to live right next to RDU if I commute to RTP?
- Not always. Airport-adjacent areas like Morrisville and Brier Creek often show mid $400,000s medians as of late 2025 to January 2026. Demand for convenience can keep prices competitive versus farther suburbs.
Will airplane noise be a factor near Morrisville or Brier Creek?
- It can be. RDU provides public aircraft noise information and overlays. Check your specific address against current contours before making an offer.
Can I rely on public transit for trips to RDU or RTP?
- Transit is improving but many commuters still drive. GoTriangle’s RDU shuttle links the airport with the Regional Transit Center, and route changes take effect in March 2026. See GoTriangle’s airport page for current schedules.
How long are typical drives to RDU from downtown Raleigh?
- Under normal traffic, many downtown-to-RDU trips are about 15 to 25 minutes. Peak-hour conditions can extend that range. For an orientation to RDU’s location, review this regional placement overview.
What projects could shorten my commute over the next few years?
- The planned RTP multimodal hub and ongoing Complete 540 segments aim to improve access. Track updates via recent RTP hub coverage and the Complete 540 profile.
