salaryRent is higher than in 59% of U.S. cities. A typical house costs about 5.8 years of household income. Most households rent (57%), so there are plenty of rental options. It is a highly educated city: 69.9% of adults have a college degree.
How much money do I need?
To rent here comfortably, you should earn about $72,840 a year. That is $35 an hour at a full-time job.
Is rent cheaper than other North Carolina cities?
No. Rent here is more expensive than in most of North Carolina. It is number 117 of 164 cities from cheapest to most expensive.
How much do households earn in Carrboro?
Share of households by yearly income. 31.9% of households earn $100,000 or more.
Rent by apartment size in Carrboro
| Size | Carrboro | U.S. average |
|---|---|---|
| Studio | $1,173 | $1,338 |
| 1 bedroom | $1,265 | $1,324 |
| 2 bedrooms | $1,608 | $1,509 |
| 3 bedrooms | $1,904 | $1,698 |
| 4 bedrooms | $2,841 | $2,098 |
Median monthly rent plus utilities for all renters, by number of bedrooms.
How expensive is Carrboro overall?
Everyday prices in North Carolina overall are 6% below the U.S. average (index 94.3, U.S. = 100).
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities 2024. City-level data is not published for Carrboro, so the North Carolina figure is shown.
Taxes and bills in Carrboro
Life in Carrboro
Is it cheaper to rent or buy in Carrboro?
Renting is cheaper right now: about $1,922 a month less.
Owning assumes a typical $539,400 home, 10% down, a 30-year loan at 6.5% and about 1.5% a year for taxes and insurance. You would also need $53,940 for the down payment.
Frequently asked questions
What is the average rent in Carrboro, NC?
Renting in Carrboro costs a median of about $1,821 a month in 2026, including utilities. The North Carolina median is $1,496.
How much do I need to make to live in Carrboro?
To keep rent under 30% of income, you need about $72,840 a year, or $35 an hour at a full-time job.
Is Carrboro cheap or expensive?
Carrboro is rated OK: rent takes 23.6% of the typical household income of $92,474. It ranks 117th cheapest of 164 North Carolina cities we track.
How much are property taxes in Carrboro?
The median homeowner in Carrboro pays $6,888 a year in property taxes, about 1.28% of the median home value.
Is Carrboro more expensive than the national average?
Overall prices in North Carolina are 6% below the U.S. average, according to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis.
How much does a house cost in Carrboro?
The median home value in Carrboro is $539,400, about 5.8 times the typical yearly household income.
21,204 people live in Carrboro. Numbers are typical (middle) values.