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Durham-Chapel Hill, NC

Cost of living in Chatham County, NC

Part of the Durham Metro Area

Estimated monthly cost
$3,789/mo
for a single person, all categories combined

Population 78,319 · Last updated May 21, 2026

Cost breakdown

Single person, by category, per month.

Rent $1,637 43%
Federal tax $606 16%
Healthcare $480 13%
Groceries $327 9%
Transport $320 8%
Energy $187 5%
State tax $177 5%
Water $55 1%

Rent in Chatham County

Fair Market Rents by bedroom count.

Studio
$1,548
per month
1 bedroom
$1,637
per month
2 bedroom
$1,872
per month
3 bedroom
$2,334
per month
4 bedroom
$2,807
per month

Source: HUD FMR FY2025

Income and earnings in Chatham County

Annual earnings figures from the Census ACS.

Household income
$88,534
per year
Individual earnings
$47,113
per year
Per capita
$56,724
per year

Source: ACS 2019-2023 5-Year.

Home values in Chatham County

Average values reported by homeowners.

Average home value
$397,800
Annual property tax
$2,671

Source: ACS 2019-2023 5-Year

Energy costs in Chatham County

Estimated monthly electricity and gas costs.

Electricity
$147
per month · 14¢/kWh
Natural gas
$40
per month
Annual total
$2,244
per year

Source: EIA

Healthcare in Chatham County

Insurance premiums and coverage rates.

Individual premium
$480
per month
Family premium
$1,350
per month
Uninsured rate
8.6%

Source: ACS + national avg. Marketplace benchmark premiums are second-lowest Silver plan estimates and do not reflect employer plans, subsidies, or out-of-pocket costs. This is not healthcare advice.

Taxes in Chatham County

State and local tax rates for North Carolina.

State income tax
4.5%
Flat rate
State sales tax
4.8%
Combined sales tax
7.0%
incl. average local

Tax rates change. Consult a qualified tax professional for advice on your specific situation. This is not tax advice.

Transportation in Chatham County

Commute patterns and estimated costs.

Average commute
27.1 min
Drive alone
71.2%
Public transit
0.3%
Work from home
20.1%

Source: ACS

Monthly cost estimates for Chatham County

What it costs to live in Chatham County each month.

Single person
$3,789
per month
  • Rent $1,637
  • Energy $187
  • Water $55
  • Groceries $327
  • Transport $320
  • Healthcare $480
  • Federal tax $606
  • State tax $177
Couple
$5,438
per month
  • Rent $1,872
  • Energy $224
  • Water $65
  • Groceries $542
  • Transport $420
  • Healthcare $864
  • Federal tax $1,119
  • State tax $332
Family
$8,032
per month
  • Rent $2,334
  • Energy $280
  • Water $75
  • Groceries $822
  • Transport $520
  • Healthcare $1,350
  • Childcare $1,200
  • Federal tax $1,119
  • State tax $332

Frequently asked questions about Chatham County

Common questions about cost of living, rent and salary.

What is the average rent in Chatham County?

In Chatham County, NC, a one-bedroom apartment averages $1,637 per month, a two-bedroom averages $1,872 per month, a three-bedroom averages $2,334 per month, according to HUD Fair Market Rent data.

What is the average salary in Chatham County?

In Chatham County, NC, the average household income is $88,534 per year and individual earnings for full-time workers average $47,113 per year, according to U.S. Census Bureau data.

What is the cost of living in Chatham County?

The estimated cost of living in Chatham County, NC is approximately $3,789 per month for a single person, $5,438 for a couple, $8,032 for a family. This includes rent, utilities, groceries, transportation, healthcare, and taxes.

What is the sales tax rate in Chatham County?

The combined sales tax rate in Chatham County, NC is 7.00%, which includes the North Carolina state rate of 4.75% plus an average local rate of 2.25%.

Is Chatham County an affordable place to live?

Based on the data, a single person in Chatham County, NC would need approximately $3,789 per month to cover rent, utilities, food, transport, healthcare, and taxes. The average household income is $88,534 per year ($7,378 per month). Chatham County has a moderate cost of living relative to local earnings.

How much does healthcare cost in Chatham County?

The ACA marketplace benchmark premium in Chatham County, NC is approximately $480 per month for an individual. Approximately 8.6% of residents are uninsured. Actual costs vary based on employer coverage, plan type, and individual circumstances.

What are house prices in Chatham County?

The average home value in Chatham County, NC is $397,800, with average annual property taxes of $2,671, according to U.S. Census Bureau data.

How does Chatham County compare to other areas?

You can compare Chatham County, NC with any other US county using our comparison tool at /compare. Chatham County is in the Durham-Chapel Hill, NC metro area.

Other counties in North Carolina

Browse the full list of counties in North Carolina, ranked by cost of living.

See all counties in North Carolina

Compare Chatham County with another area

Put two counties side by side to see how rent, taxes and everyday costs stack up.

About this data

All figures on this page come from official U.S. government sources, listed below.

  • HUD FMR FY2025
  • ACS 2019-2023 5-Year
  • EIA
  • ACS + national avg
  • ACS
  • USDA + BEA RPP
Methodology All data sources