Rows tagged local are specific to Chapel Hill (Census ACS); state rows are state averages; metro-area rows are inherited from Durham, NC. Home value is ACS owner-reported (not a Zillow sale price).
School score: 7/10 (district Chapel Hill-carrboro City Schools · NCES EDFacts)
Cost of living
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Cost-of-living index (US=100)
97.3
metro-area
#117 of 200 metros
Grocery index (US=100)
96.8
metro-area
#106 of 200 metros
Big Mac price (est.)
$5.54
metro-area
#115 of 200 metros
Median household income
$85,940
local
#1548 of 3,220 cities
Median wage (all occupations)
$28,057
local
#3092 of 3,220 cities
Who lives here
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Median age
37.6 years
metro-area
#76 of 200 metros
Bachelor's degree or higher (25+)
52.3%
metro-area
#6 of 200 metros
Foreign-born residents
13.2%
metro-area
#51 of 200 metros
Homes that are owner-occupied
61.9%
metro-area
#156 of 200 metros
Economy
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Unemployment rate
4.69%
local
#1526 of 3,220 cities
Population growth (5-yr)
-0.5%
local
#2446 of 3,220 cities
Housing — what your money buys
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Median home price
$537,100
local
#2511 of 3,220 cities
Home price ÷ income (affordability)
6.2×
local
#2798 of 3,220 cities
1-yr home appreciation
-1.9%
metro-area
#171 of 200 metros
Price per square foot
$269
local
#2345 of 3,220 cities
Typical home size (implied)
2,000 sqft
Median rent (monthly)
$1,419
local
#1521 of 3,220 cities
Homes for sale (inventory)
2,366
Median days on market
14
metro-area
#76 of 200 metros
Taxes
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Total tax burden (est. % of income)
9.9%
state
#88 of 200 metros
Combined sales tax
6.98%
state
#55 of 200 metros
State income tax (top rate)
4.25%
Capital gains tax
4.25%
state
#78 of 200 metros
High earners
No special surtax
Social Security in retirement
Not taxed — does not tax Social Security benefits
Effective property tax rate
1.30%
local
#2162 of 3,220 cities
Median property tax paid
$6,981
local
#2652 of 3,220 cities
Health & childcare
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Life expectancy at birth
79.6 years
metro-area
#28 of 200 metros
Healthcare (annual, single adult)
$6,600
state
#65 of 200 metros
Uninsured (share of residents)
10.1%
metro-area
#126 of 200 metros
Primary care providers per 100k
126
metro-area
#3 of 200 metros
Childcare (annual, infant, center)
$10,000
state
#58 of 200 metros
Vehicles & commute
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Annual registration
$130
state
#107 of 200 metros
Vehicle property tax (annual)
1.10% of value (~$308/yr)
state
#146 of 200 metros
Emissions testing
Required
Emissions detail
Required in major metro counties
DMV & license offices
4
Avg commute to work
20 min
local
#207 of 3,220 cities
Commute by driving alone
65.2%
metro-area
#17 of 200 metros
Solo drivers commuting 30+ min
31.6%
metro-area
#101 of 200 metros
Utilities & fuel
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Electricity
16.3¢/kWh
state
#72 of 200 metros
Avg monthly electric bill
$146
state
#72 of 200 metros
Gasoline
$3.20/gal
state
#63 of 200 metros
Natural gas (avg monthly bill)
$62
state
#69 of 200 metros
Water & sewer (avg monthly bill)
$78
state
#36 of 200 metros
Home internet (avg monthly bill)
$80
state
#106 of 200 metros
Insurance
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Home insurance (annual)
$2,000
state
#110 of 200 metros
Auto insurance (annual)
$1,400
state
#18 of 200 metros
Disaster risk & supplemental insurance
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Main natural hazards
Notable hazards: hurricanes, flooding — separate flood/quake/windstorm policies may be needed.
FEMA National Risk Index (0–100, higher = more risk)
80.9 — Relatively Low
metro-area
#30 of 200 metros
Flood insurance (annual, NFIP)
$800
state
#120 of 200 metros
Earthquake insurance (annual)
$100
state
#1 of 200 metros
Climate & air quality
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Air quality (median AQI, lower=cleaner)
51
metro-area
#138 of 200 metros
Cooling degree-days (AC load)
1,600
metro-area
#119 of 200 metros
Homes with air conditioning (state)
91%
state
#115 of 200 metros
Heating degree-days (heat load)
3,400
metro-area
#85 of 200 metros
Days per year ≥ 90°F
48
metro-area
#126 of 200 metros
Days per year ≥ 100°F
2
metro-area
#144 of 200 metros
Avg summer high (state)
89°F
metro-area
#113 of 200 metros
Avg winter low
30°F
metro-area
#89 of 200 metros
Annual precipitation
46.1"
metro-area
#137 of 200 metros
Annual snowfall
5.2"
metro-area
#89 of 200 metros
Sunshine (% of possible)
58%
metro-area
#105 of 200 metros
Plant hardiness zone
7b
Frost window
04-01 → 11-10
Safety
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Violent crime (per 100k, state avg)
400
state
#100 of 200 metros
Property crime (per 100k, state avg)
2,200
state
#98 of 200 metros
Local amenities & recreation
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Grocery stores
120
metro-area
#5 of 200 metros
Parks
60
Hiking areas
15
Golf courses
15
Shooting ranges
4
Lakes
4
Permits
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Building permit difficulty (1–5)
3
state
#87 of 200 metros
Permit detail
Moderate
US rank = this metro's position among all 200 metros (1 = best: cheapest / safest / highest income, etc.). Childcare is a family cost, not included in the salary-equivalence total.