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ZIP Code · NC

ZIP 27517

Pop. 29,564·Orange County·102nd most expensive ZIP in North Carolina
Median rent (all units)
$1,700/mo
Year-over-Year
-2.4%
Month-over-Month
+0.9%
vs US Median
-$265
Rising (Monthly)
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Most AffordableMost Expensive
ZIP 27517 · $1,700
More affordable than 59% of US ZIP codes · National median $1,965/mo
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Medians by bedroom

Rent by unit size

Studio
$1,610
1 BR
$1,700
2 BR
$1,940
3 BR
$2,420
4 BR+
$2,900
Research median
$1,940/mo

Bedroom estimates are gross rents that include essential utilities (electricity, water, gas, sewer, trash).

Rent trends

12-month history

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Last updated: July 20, 2026

Annual cost
$20,400/yr
At $1,700/mo median
Location
StateNC
CountyOrange County
Rent Market Meter
Balanced Market
Renter's MarketBalancedLandlord's Market
Rents are roughly steady, with neither renters nor landlords holding a strong edge right now.
Based on rent-price momentum (-2.4% YoY, +0.9% MoM), not inventory.
Demographics

Who lives here

ZIP 27517 (Chapel Hill, NC) is majority owner-occupied, has a large retiree population, has a median income above the national average, 74.1% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Population
29,564
Median income
$128,683
Median age
43.4
Renters
32.6%
Age distribution
19%
20.8%
22%
13.5%
24.7%
Under 1819%
18–3420.8%
35–5422%
55–6413.5%
65+24.7%
Gender
49.4%
50.6%
Male49.4%
Female50.6%
Race & ethnicity
70.3%
White70.3%
Black9.6%
Hispanic11.6%
Asian6%
Other2.5%
Education (25+)
13.2%
74.1%
No HS diploma5.4%
HS diploma7.3%
Some college13.2%
Bachelor's+74.1%
Housing tenure
67.4%
32.6%
Owner67.4%
Renter32.6%

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

2021 vs 2026

How ZIP 27517 in Chapel Hill, NC has changed in 5 years

Rent
$1,316 → $1,700
up 29.2%
Income
$111,295 → $128,683
up 15.6%
Population
26,352 → 29,564
up 12.2%
Renter share
31.6% → 32.6%
+1.0 pts
Bachelor's+
77.3% → 74.1%
-3.2 pts
Median age
43.9 → 43.4
-0.5 yrs

Across the past five years, the going rent in ZIP 27517 in Chapel Hill, NC has shifted from $1,316 to $1,700, up 29.2% since 2021. Median household income climbed from $111,295 to $128,683 between 2021 and 2024, a 15.6% shift. Because rent grew faster than wages over the same span, the affordability picture has tightened relative to 2021. Census counts show ZIP 27517 in Chapel Hill, NC adding about 3,212 residents over the five-year window, up 12.2% on net. Bachelor's-degree-or-higher attainment moved from 77.3% to 74.1% across the same window. Taken together, the five-year picture in ZIP 27517 in Chapel Hill, NC reflects how housing costs and the people paying them have evolved through a stretch that included a pandemic, a hot rental market, and a recent cooling phase.

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Local insights

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About renting in ZIP 27517

Last updated: July 20, 2026

ZIP code 27517 covers Chapel Hill, NC. The median rent here is $1,700/mo as of July 2026. A 1-bedroom rents for a median of $1,700/mo. A 2-bedroom rents for a median of $1,940/mo.

At 16% of local median household income ($128,683/yr), ZIP 27517 ranks as affordable compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rents have decreased 2.4% over the past year.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

How much is rent in ZIP code 27517?

As of July 20, 2026, the median monthly rent in ZIP 27517 (Chapel Hill, NC) is $1,700. This is based on aggregated data from public sources and community submissions.

How does ZIP 27517 rent compare to the US average?

ZIP 27517's median rent of $1,700/mo is $265 (13%) below the US national median of $1,965/mo.

How does ZIP 27517 compare to other ZIPs in North Carolina?

ZIP 27517 falls in the middle range for North Carolina, ranking #102 out of 227 ZIPs at $1,700/mo.

How much income do you need to rent in ZIP 27517?

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 $1,700/mo in ZIP 27517. The local median household income is $128,683/yr, meaning the typical household meets that threshold.

Is rent going up or down in ZIP 27517?

Rent in ZIP 27517 has decreased 2.4% over the past year as of July 20, 2026, offering some relief compared to 12 months ago.

Is ZIP 27517 an affordable place to rent?

ZIP 27517 is considered very affordable for renters. At $1,700/mo, rent takes approximately 16% of the local median household income ($128,683/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%. ZIP 27517 falls comfortably within that range.

What percentage of ZIP 27517 residents rent vs. own?

According to Census data, approximately 32.6% of ZIP 27517 households are renters, while 67.4% are owner-occupied. ZIP 27517 leans toward homeownership, which can mean a smaller rental inventory.

How does ZIP 27517 compare to the rest of Chapel Hill?

ZIP 27517 is more affordable than Chapel Hill overall. At $1,700/mo, it's $63 below the Chapel Hill citywide median of $1,763/mo.

When was rent data for ZIP 27517 last updated?

Rent data for ZIP 27517 reflects July 20, 2026. RentDataNow refreshes all data monthly using public and private datasets.
Income Affordability
16%
VERY AFFORDABLE

At $1,700/mo, rent takes ~16% of ZIP 27517's median household income ($128,683/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.

ZIP 27517 16%Benchmark 30%
State income tax4.5%
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Schools nearby

Public schools near ZIP 27517 (Chapel Hill, NC)

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