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Durham-Chapel Hill, NC

Cost of living in Orange County, NC

Part of the Durham Metro Area

Estimated monthly cost
$3,636/mo
for a single person, all categories combined

Population 147,292 · Last updated May 21, 2026

Cost breakdown

Single person, by category, per month.

Rent $1,637 45%
Federal tax $539 15%
Healthcare $480 13%
Groceries $327 9%
Transport $250 7%
Energy $187 5%
State tax $161 4%
Water $55 2%

Rent in Orange 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 Orange County

Annual earnings figures from the Census ACS.

Household income
$88,553
per year
Individual earnings
$42,987
per year
Per capita
$51,856
per year

Source: ACS 2019-2023 5-Year.

Home values in Orange County

Average values reported by homeowners.

Average home value
$428,500
Annual property tax
$4,105

Source: ACS 2019-2023 5-Year

Energy costs in Orange 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 Orange County

Insurance premiums and coverage rates.

Individual premium
$480
per month
Family premium
$1,350
per month
Uninsured rate
6.6%

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 Orange 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 Orange County

Commute patterns and estimated costs.

Average commute
23.8 min
Drive alone
57.7%
Public transit
4.2%
Work from home
24.2%

Source: ACS

Monthly cost estimates for Orange County

What it costs to live in Orange County each month.

Single person
$3,636
per month
  • Rent $1,637
  • Energy $187
  • Water $55
  • Groceries $327
  • Transport $250
  • Healthcare $480
  • Federal tax $539
  • State tax $161
Couple
$5,368
per month
  • Rent $1,872
  • Energy $224
  • Water $65
  • Groceries $542
  • Transport $350
  • Healthcare $864
  • Federal tax $1,119
  • State tax $332
Family
$7,962
per month
  • Rent $2,334
  • Energy $280
  • Water $75
  • Groceries $822
  • Transport $450
  • Healthcare $1,350
  • Childcare $1,200
  • Federal tax $1,119
  • State tax $332

Frequently asked questions about Orange County

Common questions about cost of living, rent and salary.

What is the average rent in Orange County?

In Orange 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 Orange County?

In Orange County, NC, the average household income is $88,553 per year and individual earnings for full-time workers average $42,987 per year, according to U.S. Census Bureau data.

What is the cost of living in Orange County?

The estimated cost of living in Orange County, NC is approximately $3,636 per month for a single person, $5,368 for a couple, $7,962 for a family. This includes rent, utilities, groceries, transportation, healthcare, and taxes.

What is the sales tax rate in Orange County?

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

Is Orange County an affordable place to live?

Based on the data, a single person in Orange County, NC would need approximately $3,636 per month to cover rent, utilities, food, transport, healthcare, and taxes. The average household income is $88,553 per year ($7,379 per month). Orange County is relatively affordable compared to the national average.

How much does healthcare cost in Orange County?

The ACA marketplace benchmark premium in Orange County, NC is approximately $480 per month for an individual. Approximately 6.6% of residents are uninsured. Actual costs vary based on employer coverage, plan type, and individual circumstances.

What are house prices in Orange County?

The average home value in Orange County, NC is $428,500, with average annual property taxes of $4,105, according to U.S. Census Bureau data.

How does Orange County compare to other areas?

You can compare Orange County, NC with any other US county using our comparison tool at /compare. Orange 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 Orange 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