Cost of Living in Chapel Hill, NC
Population 61,607 · Census ACS 2020–2024 5-year estimates
The median rent in Chapel Hill, NC is $1,613/month, 31% higher than the North Carolina median and 14% higher than the U.S. median. The median home value is $613,700, 84% higher than the national median. Households earn a median of $85,989 a year, 19% higher than the state median.
Affordability
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Chapel Hill vs. North Carolina vs. U.S.
| Chapel Hill | North Carolina | U.S. | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median rent | $1,613 | $1,228 | $1,413 |
| Median home value | $613,700 | $288,900 | $332,700 |
| Median household income | $85,989 | $72,388 | $80,734 |
| Homeownership rate | 47.4% | 66.6% | 65.2% |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 76.6% | 35.7% | 35.7% |
| Poverty rate | 18.6% | 13.0% | 12.5% |
| Unemployment rate | 4.5% | 4.7% | 5.2% |
| Work from home | 28.1% | 16.3% | 15.1% |
| Median age | 25.8 | 39.1 | 38.9 |
FAQ
What is the average rent in Chapel Hill, NC?
The median gross rent in Chapel Hill, NC is $1,613 per month (ACS 2020–2024 5-year estimate).
How much do I need to earn to live in Chapel Hill, NC?
Using the common 30% rule, renting a median-priced home takes about $64,520 a year in gross income.
Is Chapel Hill, NC expensive to live in?
Rent there is 14% higher than the U.S. median, and the median home costs about 7.1 times the median household income.
Other cities in North Carolina
Cities with a similar cost of living
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates. Estimates have margins of error, especially for smaller places. This product uses the Census Bureau Data API but is not endorsed or certified by the Census Bureau.
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