Having opened its doors in 1795, UNC Chapel Hill is one of the oldest public universities in the United States, and has spent centuries building a reputation as a top-notch academic institution. Forming one of the corners of North Carolina’s famed Research Triangle (along with Duke and NC State), UNC’s reputation for research excellence is only matched by its legendary Tar Heels athletics program, particularly basketball. The university is also of the key cultural hubs for the region, with thriving communities of artists, musicians, and actors both on-campus and off.
Chapel Hill is widely regarded as one of the best college towns in the country. The UNC campus sits right at the center of the fairly small city, making it easy to walk from a classroom building to one of the countless eateries along Franklin Street. The nightlife just off campus is legendary, with popular bars bearing cheeky names like The Library and He’s Not Here.
The walkable environment leads many to seek apartments and houses near the west corner of campus at the intersection of Franklin and Columbia Streets, although folks seeking easier access to the School of Medicine or the UNC Hospital may want to seek living arrangements further south along Columbia.
As of November 2025, the average apartment rent in Chapel Hill, NC is $1,480 for a studio, $1,514 for one bedroom, $1,785 for two bedrooms, and $2,444 for three bedrooms. Apartment rent in Chapel Hill has decreased by -1.9% in the past year.
Studio
576 sq ft
Average Sq Ft
$1,480/month
Average Rent
1 BR
738 sq ft
Average Sq Ft
$1,514/month
Average Rent
2 BR
1,060 sq ft
Average Sq Ft
$1,785/month
Average Rent
3 BR
1,393 sq ft
Average Sq Ft
$2,444/month
Average Rent
Explore Chapel Hill, NC’s off-campus housing with our detailed guide. Uncover top tips and resources on Apartments.com.
Car-Dependent
out of 100 WalkScore® Rating
This area is considered a car-dependent area and most errands will require a car.
Some Transit
out of 100 TransitScore® Rating
You'll likely want a car when living in this area since it has few transit options.
Bikeable
out of 100 BikeScore® Rating
While there’s some bike infrastructure in this area, you’ll still need a car for many errands.
Public
Grades K-5
433 Students
Mel And Zora Rashkis Elementary School
Public
Grades PK-5
427 Students
Public
Grades K-5
421 Students
Mary Scroggs Elementary School
Public
Grades PK-5
392 Students
Elizabeth Seawell Elementary School
Public
Grades PK-5
491 Students
Public
Grades 6-8
609 Students
R D And Euzelle Smith Middle School
Public
Grades 6-8
768 Students
Public
Grades 6-8
752 Students
Public
Grades 6-8
768 Students
Public
Grades 6-8
656 Students
Public
Grades 9-12
1,597 Students
Public
Grades 9-12
1,447 Students
Public
Grades 8-12
25 Students
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† Our analysis of utilities, groceries, transportation, healthcare, home prices, and other goods and services is sourced from the Cost of Living Index, a respected benchmark published by the Council for Community and Economic Research (C2ER) that provides a thorough overview of living expenses across different regions.
Rent data is provided by CoStar Group’s Market Trend reports. As the industry leader in commercial real estate information, analytics, and news, CoStar conducts extensive research to produce and maintain a comprehensive database of commercial real estate information. We combine this data with public record to provide the most up-to-date rental information available.
Consumer goods, services, and home prices are sourced from the Cost of Living Index published by the Council for Community and Economic Research (C2ER). The data on this page is updated quarterly. It was last published in November 2025.
