Cost of Living in Chapel Hill, NC
Cost indexes, living wages, and fair market rents — 2024 Data
Cost of Living Overview
Overall Index
160.6
100 = national avg
+60.6 vs national average
Living Wage (1 Adult)
$70,661
per year
Living Wage (Family of 4)
$167,017
per year
Cost Index by Category
Housing226.2
Food115.6
Transportation131.2
Healthcare112.5
Utilities134.6
100 = national average. Higher = more expensive.
Fair Market Rent
Source: HUD1 Bedroom
$1,507
per month
2 Bedroom
$1,711
per month
The overall cost of living index in Chapel Hill is 160.6, which is 60.6% above the national average. Housing costs are above the national average at an index of 226.2. A single adult needs to earn approximately $70,661 per year to cover basic expenses.