3-Bedroom Apartment Rent in Chapel Hill, NC
Median asking rent for a 3-bedroom apartment in Chapel Hill, North Carolina as of October 2026. That's +17% higher than the citywide median of $1,723 and +6% below the national 3-bedroom median of $2,130.
Income needed for a 3-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 3-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 3-bedroom in North Carolina
| # | City | 3-Bedroom rent |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Bessemer City | $1,155 |
| 2 | Calabash | $1,172 |
| 3 | Marion | $1,190 |
| 4 | Henderson | $1,240 |
| 5 | Waynesville | $1,285 |
| 6 | Lexington | $1,295 |
| 7 | Shelby | $1,300 |
| 8 | Mount Airy | $1,310 |
| 9 | Gibsonville | $1,319 |
| 10 | Aberdeen | $1,340 |
| 11 | Archdale | $1,350 |
| 12 | Asheboro | $1,350 |
| 13 | Sylva | $1,350 |
| 14 | Thomasville | $1,350 |
| 15 | Kings Mountain | $1,360 |
Most expensive cities for a 3-bedroom in North Carolina
| # | City | 3-Bedroom rent |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Harrisburg | $3,380 |
| 2 | Holly Springs | $2,690 |
| 3 | Waxhaw | $2,640 |
| 4 | Apex | $2,620 |
| 5 | Davidson | $2,570 |
| 6 | Cornelius | $2,500 |
| 7 | Cary | $2,415 |
| 8 | Mooresville | $2,390 |
| 9 | Pinehurst | $2,380 |
| 10 | Mint Hill | $2,340 |
| 11 | Fuquay Varina | $2,330 |
| 12 | Carrboro | $2,330 |
| 13 | Durham | $2,280 |
| 14 | Vass | $2,260 |
| 15 | Arden | $2,260 |
Nearby cities — 3-bedroom rent
Considering nearby alternatives? 5 of these cities have cheaper 3-bedroom rents than Chapel Hill.
| City | Distance | 3-Bedroom rent | vs Chapel Hill |
|---|---|---|---|
| Carrboro, NC | 5.7 mi | $2,330 | +$321 (+16%) |
| Durham, NC | 10.7 mi | $2,280 | +$271 (+13%) |
| Hillsborough, NC | 13 mi | $2,170 | +$161 (+8%) |
| Morrisville, NC | 14.8 mi | $1,880 | $-129 (-6%) |
| Pittsboro, NC | 15.9 mi | $1,850 | $-159 (-8%) |
| Apex, NC | 16.1 mi | $2,620 | +$611 (+30%) |
| Cary, NC | 18 mi | $2,415 | +$406 (+20%) |
| Graham, NC | 21.8 mi | $1,470 | $-539 (-27%) |
| Holly Springs, NC | 22.6 mi | $2,690 | +$681 (+34%) |
| Mebane, NC | 22.6 mi | $1,850 | $-159 (-8%) |
| Raleigh, NC | 27.2 mi | $1,783 | $-226 (-11%) |
| Creedmoor, NC | 28.4 mi | $2,030 | +$21 (+1%) |
3-Bedroom rent in Chapel Hill — common questions
How much is a 3-bedroom apartment in Chapel Hill?
As of October 2026, the median 3-bedroom apartment rent in Chapel Hill, North Carolina is $2,009 per month. This is +17% higher than the citywide median of $1,723.
What income do you need to afford a 3-bedroom in Chapel Hill?
Using the standard 30% rent-to-income rule, you would need an annual income of about $80,360 ($6,697/month gross), which works out to roughly $38.63/hour at a full-time job.
Is Chapel Hill expensive for a 3-bedroom compared to the rest of the US?
Chapel Hill's 3-bedroom median of $2,009 is +6% below the national 3-bedroom median of $2,130. It ranks in the 44th percentile of US cities tracked.
How does Chapel Hill rank for 3-bedroom rent in North Carolina?
Among the 126 cities in North Carolina with 3-bedroom data, Chapel Hill ranks #93 from cheapest to most expensive.
Are there cheaper 3-bedroom options near Chapel Hill?
Yes — nearby cities with cheaper 3-bedroom rents include Morrisville ($1,880), Pittsboro ($1,850), Graham ($1,470).