2-Bedroom Apartment Rent in Chapel Hill, NC
Median asking rent for a 2-bedroom apartment in Chapel Hill, North Carolina as of October 2026. That's +7% lower than the citywide median of $1,723 and +3% below the national 2-bedroom median of $1,657.
Income needed for a 2-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 2-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 2-bedroom in North Carolina
| # | City | 2-Bedroom rent |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Gibsonville | $726 |
| 2 | Ranlo | $844 |
| 3 | Shelby | $930 |
| 4 | Bessemer City | $932 |
| 5 | Marion | $940 |
| 6 | Aberdeen | $950 |
| 7 | Kings Mountain | $990 |
| 8 | Waynesville | $991 |
| 9 | Lexington | $995 |
| 10 | Mount Airy | $1,000 |
| 11 | Albemarle | $1,010 |
| 12 | Henderson | $1,010 |
| 13 | Lillington | $1,020 |
| 14 | Washington | $1,040 |
| 15 | Archdale | $1,060 |
Most expensive cities for a 2-bedroom in North Carolina
| # | City | 2-Bedroom rent |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Harrisburg | $2,740 |
| 2 | Holly Springs | $2,160 |
| 3 | Waxhaw | $2,140 |
| 4 | Apex | $2,107 |
| 5 | Davidson | $2,070 |
| 6 | Cornelius | $2,030 |
| 7 | Surf City | $1,959 |
| 8 | Cary | $1,943 |
| 9 | Mint Hill | $1,900 |
| 10 | Carrboro | $1,870 |
| 11 | Fuquay Varina | $1,840 |
| 12 | Durham | $1,832 |
| 13 | Wake Forest | $1,790 |
| 14 | Arden | $1,760 |
| 15 | Huntersville | $1,757 |
Nearby cities — 2-bedroom rent
Considering nearby alternatives? 5 of these cities have cheaper 2-bedroom rents than Chapel Hill.
| City | Distance | 2-Bedroom rent | vs Chapel Hill |
|---|---|---|---|
| Carrboro, NC | 5.7 mi | $1,870 | +$259 (+16%) |
| Durham, NC | 10.7 mi | $1,832 | +$221 (+14%) |
| Hillsborough, NC | 13 mi | $1,740 | +$129 (+8%) |
| Morrisville, NC | 14.8 mi | $1,512 | $-99 (-6%) |
| Pittsboro, NC | 15.9 mi | $1,470 | $-141 (-9%) |
| Apex, NC | 16.1 mi | $2,107 | +$496 (+31%) |
| Cary, NC | 18 mi | $1,943 | +$332 (+21%) |
| Graham, NC | 21.8 mi | $1,170 | $-441 (-27%) |
| Holly Springs, NC | 22.6 mi | $2,160 | +$549 (+34%) |
| Mebane, NC | 22.6 mi | $1,470 | $-141 (-9%) |
| Raleigh, NC | 27.2 mi | $1,434 | $-177 (-11%) |
| Creedmoor, NC | 28.4 mi | $1,550 | $-61 (-4%) |
2-Bedroom rent in Chapel Hill — common questions
How much is a 2-bedroom apartment in Chapel Hill?
As of October 2026, the median 2-bedroom apartment rent in Chapel Hill, North Carolina is $1,611 per month. This is +7% below the citywide median of $1,723.
What income do you need to afford a 2-bedroom in Chapel Hill?
Using the standard 30% rent-to-income rule, you would need an annual income of about $64,440 ($5,370/month gross), which works out to roughly $30.98/hour at a full-time job.
Is Chapel Hill expensive for a 2-bedroom compared to the rest of the US?
Chapel Hill's 2-bedroom median of $1,611 is +3% below the national 2-bedroom median of $1,657. It ranks in the 47th percentile of US cities tracked.
How does Chapel Hill rank for 2-bedroom rent in North Carolina?
Among the 127 cities in North Carolina with 2-bedroom data, Chapel Hill ranks #100 from cheapest to most expensive.
Are there cheaper 2-bedroom options near Chapel Hill?
Yes — nearby cities with cheaper 2-bedroom rents include Morrisville ($1,512), Pittsboro ($1,470), Graham ($1,170).