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City Report · NC

Chapel Hill

Pop. 61,607·72nd most expensive in North Carolina·Rental market data updated monthly for Chapel Hill, NC
Median rent (all units)
$1,698/mo
Year-over-Year
-0.5%
Month-over-Month
-3.7%
vs US Median
-$264
Falling (Monthly)
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Most AffordableMost Expensive
Chapel Hill · $1,698
More affordable than 62% of US cities · National median $1,962/mo
Rent Reality Score
73/100
Good value
OverheatedFairGreat value

Rents are 12% below what Chapel Hill's 10-year trend predicts — a better deal than its own history suggests.

Actual rent
$1,698/mo
Expected by trend
$1,919/mo
The Rent Reality Score compares today's median rent to where Chapel Hill's own long-run trajectory projects it should be. See the full rankings →
Medians by bedroom

Rent by unit size

Studio
$1,314
1 BR
$1,390
2 BR
$1,588
3 BR
$1,980
4 BR+
$2,380
Research median
$1,588/mo

Bedroom figures are derived from HUD Fair Market Rents and scaled to match Chapel Hill's market median, because the published HUD values all ran above it. They are gross rents that include essential utilities (electricity, water, gas, sewer, trash).

Rent trends

12-month history

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Last updated: August 17, 2026

Annual cost
$20,376/yr
At $1,698/mo median
Rent Market Meter
Strong Renter's Market
Renter's MarketBalancedLandlord's Market
Rents are down 0.5% year-over-year. Push hard on price, concessions, and lease terms.
Based on rent-price momentum (-0.5% YoY, -3.7% MoM), not inventory.
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Demographics

Who lives here

Chapel Hill, NC is roughly split between renters and owners, skews toward younger working-age adults, 76.6% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Population
61,607
Median income
$85,989
Median age
25.8
Renters
52.6%
Age distribution
14.9%
45.8%
18.3%
12.6%
Under 1814.9%
18–3445.8%
35–5418.3%
55–648.5%
65+12.6%
Gender
47%
53%
Male47%
Female53%
Race & ethnicity
64.9%
13.4%
White64.9%
Black11.4%
Hispanic7.6%
Asian13.4%
Other2.7%
Education (25+)
12.4%
76.6%
No HS diploma3.8%
HS diploma7.2%
Some college12.4%
Bachelor's+76.6%
Housing tenure
47.4%
52.6%
Owner47.4%
Renter52.6%

Source: U.S. Census Bureau · ACS 2024 5-Year Estimates

2021 vs 2026

How Chapel Hill, NC has changed in 5 years

Rent
$1,322 → $1,698
up 28.4%
Income
$77,037 → $85,989
up 11.6%
Population
60,920 → 61,607
up 1.1%
Renter share
50.7% → 52.6%
+1.9 pts
Bachelor's+
78.5% → 76.6%
-1.9 pts
Median age
25 → 25.8
+0.8 yrs

Rent in Chapel Hill, NC has climbed 28.4% since 2021, going from about $1,322 per month to roughly $1,698 today. Census figures show median household income at $85,989 today, compared with $77,037 five years earlier. Rent outpaced income growth by roughly 16.8 percentage points, which means renters are spending a larger slice of each paycheck on housing than they did in 2021. Headcount in the area went from 60,920 to 61,607 between 2021 and 2024, a 1.1% change. About 52.6% of households rent today, against 50.7% in 2021. The combined trend lines point to a market that has changed measurably from where it stood in early 2021.

Community

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View Chapel Hill rent history (2015–2026) →
Salary vs rent

Can you afford rent in Chapel Hill on your salary?

At $1,698/mo, how Chapel Hill rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).

By apartment size

Chapel Hill rent by bedroom count

Median rent for each apartment size in Chapel Hill. Click any size for full breakdown.

Local insights

Tips for renters in Chapel Hill

About renting in Chapel Hill, NC

Last updated: August 17, 2026

The median rent in Chapel Hill is $1,698/mo as of August 2026. A studio apartment averages $1,314/mo while a 2-bedroom runs $1,588/mo. One-bedroom apartments average $1,390/mo and 3-bedroom units go for $1,980/mo.

At 24% of local median household income ($85,989/yr), Chapel Hill ranks as affordable compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rents have decreased 0.5% over the past year.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Is Chapel Hill an affordable city for renters?

Chapel Hill is considered very affordable for renters. At $1,698/mo, rent takes approximately 24% of the local median household income ($85,989/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%. Chapel Hill falls comfortably within that range.

How much income do you need to rent in Chapel Hill?

To keep rent at or below 30% of gross income, you would need to earn at least $68,000/year (~$33/hour full-time) to afford the median rent of $1,698/mo in Chapel Hill. The local median household income is $85,989/yr, meaning the typical Chapel Hill household meets that threshold.

Is rent going up or down in Chapel Hill?

Rent in Chapel Hill has been relatively stable over the past year, with a 0.5% change year over year as of August 2026.

Which Chapel Hill neighborhoods have the lowest rent?

The most affordable ZIP codes in Chapel Hill are 27514 ($1,559/mo), and 27517 ($1,663/mo). Citywide, the median rent in Chapel Hill is $1,698/mo.

How does Chapel Hill rent compare to other cities in North Carolina?

Chapel Hill is middle-of-the-pack for North Carolina for rent, ranking #72 out of 128 tracked cities at $1,698/mo.

Which nearby cities are cheaper to rent in than Chapel Hill?

Several nearby cities have lower median rents than Chapel Hill ($1,698/mo): Hillsborough ($1,467/mo), Carrboro ($1,479/mo), Durham ($1,675/mo).

What percentage of Chapel Hill residents rent vs. own?

According to Census data, approximately 52.6% of Chapel Hill households are renters, while 47.4% are owner-occupied. With a majority renter population, Chapel Hill has a strong rental market.

How does Chapel Hill rent compare to the national average?

Chapel Hill's median rent of $1,698/mo is $264 (13%) below the US national median of $1,962/mo. Within North Carolina, it ranks #72 out of 128 tracked cities.
Income Affordability
24%
VERY AFFORDABLE

At $1,698/mo, rent takes ~24% of Chapel Hill's median household income ($85,989/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.

Chapel Hill 24%Benchmark 30%
State income tax4.5%
Run the Chapel Hill affordability calculator →
Lowest-rent ZIP codes in Chapel Hill
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Neighborhoods

Estimated from ZIP-level data

Schools nearby

Public schools near Chapel Hill, NC

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