1-Bedroom Apartment Rent in Chapel Hill, NC
Median asking rent for a 1-bedroom apartment in Chapel Hill, North Carolina as of October 2026. That's +18% lower than the citywide median of $1,723 and +1% above the national 1-bedroom median of $1,395.
Income needed for a 1-bedroom in Chapel Hill
Using the standard 30% rent-to-income guideline (the threshold above which households are considered rent-burdened), here's what you need to earn to comfortably afford a 1-bedroom at the current median rent.
Rent by apartment size in Chapel Hill
Compare Chapel Hill's median rent across every apartment size.
Cheapest cities for a 1-bedroom in North Carolina
| # | City | 1-Bedroom rent |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ranlo | $483 |
| 2 | Shelby | $710 |
| 3 | Albemarle | $770 |
| 4 | Henderson | $770 |
| 5 | Lillington | $780 |
| 6 | Bessemer City | $799 |
| 7 | Beaufort | $820 |
| 8 | Kings Mountain | $820 |
| 9 | Raeford | $820 |
| 10 | Aberdeen | $830 |
| 11 | Gibsonville | $836 |
| 12 | Marion | $840 |
| 13 | Washington | $840 |
| 14 | Kinston | $850 |
| 15 | Mount Airy | $850 |
Most expensive cities for a 1-bedroom in North Carolina
| # | City | 1-Bedroom rent |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Harrisburg | $2,470 |
| 2 | Holly Springs | $1,950 |
| 3 | Waxhaw | $1,930 |
| 4 | Apex | $1,897 |
| 5 | Davidson | $1,870 |
| 6 | Cornelius | $1,830 |
| 7 | Cary | $1,755 |
| 8 | Mint Hill | $1,720 |
| 9 | Carrboro | $1,635 |
| 10 | Indian Trail | $1,631 |
| 11 | Fuquay Varina | $1,630 |
| 12 | Wake Forest | $1,620 |
| 13 | Durham | $1,600 |
| 14 | Huntersville | $1,586 |
| 15 | Knightdale | $1,580 |
Nearby cities — 1-bedroom rent
Considering nearby alternatives? 5 of these cities have cheaper 1-bedroom rents than Chapel Hill.
| City | Distance | 1-Bedroom rent | vs Chapel Hill |
|---|---|---|---|
| Carrboro, NC | 5.7 mi | $1,635 | +$225 (+16%) |
| Durham, NC | 10.7 mi | $1,600 | +$190 (+13%) |
| Hillsborough, NC | 13 mi | $1,520 | +$110 (+8%) |
| Morrisville, NC | 14.8 mi | $1,356 | $-54 (-4%) |
| Pittsboro, NC | 15.9 mi | $1,280 | $-130 (-9%) |
| Apex, NC | 16.1 mi | $1,897 | +$487 (+35%) |
| Cary, NC | 18 mi | $1,755 | +$345 (+24%) |
| Graham, NC | 21.8 mi | $1,060 | $-350 (-25%) |
| Holly Springs, NC | 22.6 mi | $1,950 | +$540 (+38%) |
| Mebane, NC | 22.6 mi | $1,280 | $-130 (-9%) |
| Raleigh, NC | 27.2 mi | $1,295 | $-115 (-8%) |
| Creedmoor, NC | 28.4 mi | $1,400 | $-10 (-1%) |
1-Bedroom rent in Chapel Hill — common questions
How much is a 1-bedroom apartment in Chapel Hill?
As of October 2026, the median 1-bedroom apartment rent in Chapel Hill, North Carolina is $1,410 per month. This is +18% below the citywide median of $1,723.
What income do you need to afford a 1-bedroom in Chapel Hill?
Using the standard 30% rent-to-income rule, you would need an annual income of about $56,400 ($4,700/month gross), which works out to roughly $27.12/hour at a full-time job.
Is Chapel Hill expensive for a 1-bedroom compared to the rest of the US?
Chapel Hill's 1-bedroom median of $1,410 is +1% above the national 1-bedroom median of $1,395. It ranks in the 51th percentile of US cities tracked.
How does Chapel Hill rank for 1-bedroom rent in North Carolina?
Among the 125 cities in North Carolina with 1-bedroom data, Chapel Hill ranks #94 from cheapest to most expensive.
Are there cheaper 1-bedroom options near Chapel Hill?
Yes — nearby cities with cheaper 1-bedroom rents include Morrisville ($1,356), Pittsboro ($1,280), Graham ($1,060).