Studio Apartment Rent in Chapel Hill, NC
Median asking rent for a studio apartment in Chapel Hill, North Carolina as of October 2026. That's +23% lower than the citywide median of $1,723 and +3% above the national studio median of $1,290.
Income needed for a studio 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 studio 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 studio in North Carolina
| # | City | Studio rent |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Waynesville | $675 |
| 2 | Albemarle | $690 |
| 3 | Shelby | $700 |
| 4 | Henderson | $760 |
| 5 | Lillington | $770 |
| 6 | Marion | $790 |
| 7 | Aberdeen | $800 |
| 8 | Kings Mountain | $800 |
| 9 | Mount Airy | $810 |
| 10 | Raeford | $810 |
| 11 | Beaufort | $820 |
| 12 | Graham | $840 |
| 13 | Kinston | $840 |
| 14 | Washington | $840 |
| 15 | Jacksonville | $845 |
Most expensive cities for a studio in North Carolina
| # | City | Studio rent |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Harrisburg | $2,380 |
| 2 | Holly Springs | $1,870 |
| 3 | Waxhaw | $1,860 |
| 4 | Apex | $1,827 |
| 5 | Davidson | $1,800 |
| 6 | Cornelius | $1,770 |
| 7 | Cary | $1,685 |
| 8 | Mint Hill | $1,650 |
| 9 | Fuquay Varina | $1,580 |
| 10 | Wake Forest | $1,560 |
| 11 | Carrboro | $1,545 |
| 12 | Huntersville | $1,531 |
| 13 | Knightdale | $1,520 |
| 14 | Durham | $1,517 |
| 15 | Mooresville | $1,510 |
Nearby cities — studio rent
Considering nearby alternatives? 5 of these cities have cheaper studio rents than Chapel Hill.
| City | Distance | Studio rent | vs Chapel Hill |
|---|---|---|---|
| Carrboro, NC | 5.7 mi | $1,545 | +$212 (+16%) |
| Durham, NC | 10.7 mi | $1,517 | +$184 (+14%) |
| Hillsborough, NC | 13 mi | $1,440 | +$107 (+8%) |
| Morrisville, NC | 14.8 mi | $1,301 | $-32 (-2%) |
| Pittsboro, NC | 15.9 mi | $1,250 | $-83 (-6%) |
| Apex, NC | 16.1 mi | $1,827 | +$494 (+37%) |
| Cary, NC | 18 mi | $1,685 | +$352 (+26%) |
| Graham, NC | 21.8 mi | $840 | $-493 (-37%) |
| Holly Springs, NC | 22.6 mi | $1,870 | +$537 (+40%) |
| Mebane, NC | 22.6 mi | $1,250 | $-83 (-6%) |
| Raleigh, NC | 27.2 mi | $1,247 | $-86 (-6%) |
| Creedmoor, NC | 28.4 mi | $1,330 | $-3 (0%) |
Studio rent in Chapel Hill — common questions
How much is a studio apartment in Chapel Hill?
As of October 2026, the median studio apartment rent in Chapel Hill, North Carolina is $1,333 per month. This is +23% below the citywide median of $1,723.
What income do you need to afford a studio in Chapel Hill?
Using the standard 30% rent-to-income rule, you would need an annual income of about $53,320 ($4,443/month gross), which works out to roughly $25.63/hour at a full-time job.
Is Chapel Hill expensive for a studio compared to the rest of the US?
Chapel Hill's studio median of $1,333 is +3% above the national studio median of $1,290. It ranks in the 53th percentile of US cities tracked.
How does Chapel Hill rank for studio rent in North Carolina?
Among the 120 cities in North Carolina with studio data, Chapel Hill ranks #91 from cheapest to most expensive.
Are there cheaper studio options near Chapel Hill?
Yes — nearby cities with cheaper studio rents include Morrisville ($1,301), Pittsboro ($1,250), Graham ($840).