salaryRent is higher than in 63% of U.S. cities. A typical house costs about 6.6 years of household income, so buying is hard for most locals. Commutes are short, about 19.5 minutes. It is a highly educated city: 76.6% of adults have a college degree.
How much money do I need?
To rent here comfortably, you should earn about $76,000 a year. That is $37 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 127 of 164 cities from cheapest to most expensive.
How much do households earn in Chapel Hill?
Share of households by yearly income. 38.4% of households earn $100,000 or more.
Rent by apartment size in Chapel Hill
| Size | Chapel Hill | U.S. average |
|---|---|---|
| Studio | $1,571 | $1,338 |
| 1 bedroom | $1,512 | $1,324 |
| 2 bedrooms | $1,700 | $1,509 |
| 3 bedrooms | $2,011 | $1,698 |
| 4 bedrooms | $1,881 | $2,098 |
Median monthly rent plus utilities for all renters, by number of bedrooms.
How expensive is Chapel Hill overall?
Everyday prices in the Durham-Chapel Hill metro area are 2% below the U.S. average (index 97.6, U.S. = 100).
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities 2024.
Taxes and bills in Chapel Hill
Life in Chapel Hill
What jobs pay in Chapel Hill
| Job | Median pay | Rent / pay |
|---|---|---|
| Pharmacist | $141,360 | 16.1% |
| Software Developer | $135,620 | 16.8% |
| Lawyer | $132,790 | 17.2% |
| Physician Assistant | $132,670 | 17.2% |
| Nurse Practitioner | $132,300 | 17.2% |
| Operations Manager | $113,930 | 20.0% |
| Computer Systems Analyst | $106,410 | 21.4% |
| Dental Hygienist | $101,460 | 22.5% |
| Civil Engineer | $93,940 | 24.3% |
| Market Research Analyst | $93,110 | 24.5% |
| Accountant | $85,090 | 26.8% |
| Licensed Practical Nurse | $66,950 | 34.1% |
| Plumber | $60,110 | 37.9% |
| Police Officer | $60,100 | 37.9% |
| Electrician | $59,220 | 38.5% |
| HVAC Technician | $59,180 | 38.5% |
| Truck Driver | $53,280 | 42.8% |
| Carpenter | $51,540 | 44.2% |
| Elementary School Teacher | $51,400 | 44.4% |
| Customer Service Representative | $46,800 | 48.7% |
| Medical Assistant | $46,450 | 49.1% |
| Nursing Assistant | $40,560 | 56.2% |
| Firefighter | $38,350 | 59.5% |
| Warehouse Worker | $37,750 | 60.4% |
| Restaurant Cook | $36,170 | 63.0% |
| Server (Waiter/Waitress) | $35,230 | 64.7% |
| Retail Salesperson | $31,790 | 71.7% |
| Cashier | $29,920 | 76.2% |
Is it cheaper to rent or buy in Chapel Hill?
Renting is cheaper right now: about $2,358 a month less.
Owning assumes a typical $613,700 home, 10% down, a 30-year loan at 6.5% and about 1.5% a year for taxes and insurance. You would also need $61,370 for the down payment.
Frequently asked questions
What is the average rent in Chapel Hill, NC?
Renting in Chapel Hill costs a median of about $1,900 a month in 2026, including utilities. The North Carolina median is $1,496.
How much do I need to make to live in Chapel Hill?
To keep rent under 30% of income, you need about $76,000 a year, or $37 an hour at a full-time job.
Is Chapel Hill cheap or expensive?
Chapel Hill is rated OK: rent takes 24.6% of the typical household income of $92,739. It ranks 127th cheapest of 164 North Carolina cities we track.
How much are property taxes in Chapel Hill?
The median homeowner in Chapel Hill pays $7,191 a year in property taxes, about 1.17% of the median home value.
Is Chapel Hill more expensive than the national average?
Overall prices in the metro area are 2% below the U.S. average, according to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis.
How much does a house cost in Chapel Hill?
The median home value in Chapel Hill is $613,700, about 6.6 times the typical yearly household income.
61,607 people live in Chapel Hill. Numbers are typical (middle) values.