Affordable & Income-Based Housing in Chapel Hill

Affordability in Chapel Hill, NC

Chapel Hill has a median household income of $85,989 and a median asking rent of $1,613 per month, according to Census ACS 5-Year data (2024). More than half of residents -- 53% -- are renters, reflecting strong demand for rental housing in the city.

Lease Lantern lists 11 HUD-assisted or income-restricted properties in Chapel Hill, covering 272 units that may be available at rents below the local market rate.

Safety

According to FBI Crime Data Explorer, the Chapel Hill Police Department reported a violent crime rate of 175 per 100,000 residents in 2024. Crime rates are not directly comparable across cities due to differences in reporting practices and local definitions.

Getting Around Chapel Hill

According to Walk Score, the area around Chapel Hill's assisted properties rates 41 (Car-Dependent) for walkability, 55 (Good Transit) for public transit, and 52 for bikeability. These scores reflect conditions near the assisted properties specifically, not the city as a whole.

Schools

According to NCES Common Core of Data, 23 schools across 4 districts serve Chapel Hill, including 12 elementary, 5 middle, 5 high schools, and 1 other. Ratings vary by school and district, so renters should check the assigned schools for a specific address.

Cost of Living

Chapel Hill's median household income is $85,989 per year, according to Census ACS 5-Year estimates. The median asking rent in the city is $1,613 per month, which can be a significant burden for lower-income renters -- making income-restricted housing an important resource here.

The 11 HUD-assisted and income-based properties in Chapel Hill offer subsidized rents tied to your income or set below market rate, helping bridge the gap between local wages and open-market rental costs.

Flood and Environmental Exposure

All 11 affordable housing properties in Chapel Hill have been mapped for flood risk. Of those, 1 property falls within a high-risk flood zone, while the remaining 10 carry low or minimal flood exposure. Overall, flood risk across this portfolio is limited.