CHAPEL HILL

Last updated: October 2026

Chapel Hill, North Carolina is a college town in southeastern Orange County, with a small part in Durham County, and the home of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. The U.S. Census Bureau estimates Chapel Hill's population at about 63,565 as of 2025, up from 61,960 in the 2020 census. Chapel Hill is known for its walkable Franklin Street downtown, tree-covered neighborhoods, top-rated public schools and Carolina athletics.

People who move to Chapel Hill usually want strong schools, a university-town lifestyle and a short drive to Durham and Research Triangle Park. If you're still deciding, start with what buyers should know before moving to Chapel Hill and the pros and cons of living in Chapel Hill.

Chapel Hill neighborhoods

Chapel Hill neighborhoods range from historic homes near the UNC campus to planned communities like Southern Village and Meadowmont, with larger lots and newer homes on the edges of town. Our guide to the best neighborhoods in Chapel Hill for home buyers compares the main areas.

• Best Neighborhoods in Chapel Hill for Home Buyers
• Where UNC Employees Should Buy Near Chapel Hill
• Should I Buy in Chapel Hill or Carrboro?

What homes cost in Chapel Hill

According to Redfin, the median sale price in Chapel Hill, NC was about $659,564 as of August 2026, up 19.9% from a year earlier, with homes taking around 40 days to sell. That makes Chapel Hill one of the most expensive places to buy in the Triangle, well above Durham and Pittsboro.

	Chapel Hill, NC	Durham, NC	Pittsboro, NC
Median sale price	$659,564	$425,000	$478,851
Change from a year earlier	Up 19.9%	Down 2.6%	Down 12.1%
Median days on market	40	36	57
Homes sold in August	169	938	58

Source: Redfin housing market data for Chapel Hill, Durham and Pittsboro, August 2026.

Chapel Hill's monthly numbers can swing because it has fewer sales than Durham or Raleigh. For the full picture, read how much it costs to buy a home in Chapel Hill, what homes are selling for in Chapel Hill right now and how competitive the Chapel Hill market is for buyers.

Schools in Chapel Hill

Most of Chapel Hill is served by Chapel Hill-Carrboro City Schools, a separate district from Orange County Schools and one of the most sought-after in the state. The district's high schools are Chapel Hill High, East Chapel Hill High and Carrboro High. Homes in the small Durham County part of Chapel Hill are served by Durham Public Schools.

School assignments are set by address, and some homes with a Chapel Hill mailing address are outside the city district, so check the assignment for any address before you make an offer.

Commuting from Chapel Hill

Chapel Hill is about 12 miles from downtown Durham, usually a 20 to 25 minute drive, and Research Triangle Park is about 20 to 25 minutes away by I-40. Raleigh is about 28 miles east, usually 35 to 45 minutes. Chapel Hill Transit runs fare-free buses around town and the UNC campus.

Many Chapel Hill residents work at UNC, so living close to campus can mean no car commute at all. Read where UNC employees should buy a home near Chapel Hill.

Many Chapel Hill buyers also look at Durham, where homes cost less and the drive to Duke and RTP is shorter. See our guide to living in Durham, NC.

Things to do in Chapel Hill

Franklin Street is the heart of Chapel Hill, lined with restaurants, coffee shops and bars next to the UNC campus. Carolina basketball and football, Morehead Planetarium, the Ackland Art Museum and the North Carolina Botanical Garden give Chapel Hill residents plenty to do, and Carrboro next door adds live music and a weekly farmers market.

For a local's view, read the pros and cons of living in Chapel Hill.

Working in Chapel Hill

UNC-Chapel Hill and UNC Health are Chapel Hill's biggest employers by far, and many residents also work in Durham, at Duke and in Research Triangle Park.

Buying a home in Chapel Hill

Chapel Hill homes take about 40 days to sell according to Redfin, but homes in the top school zones still draw strong interest. These Chapel Hill guides can help buyers:

• Is Chapel Hill a good place to buy a home?
• Should I buy a home in Chapel Hill in 2026?
• What first-time buyers should know about Chapel Hill

Selling a home in Chapel Hill

Sellers in Chapel Hill do best with sharp pricing and good preparation, especially outside the most popular school zones. These Chapel Hill guides can help sellers:

• Is now a good time to sell in Chapel Hill?
• Is Chapel Hill still a seller's market?
• How to price your Chapel Hill home correctly
• How long it takes to sell in Chapel Hill
• What to do before listing
• Should you renovate before selling?
• How to sell fast without leaving money on the table
• Mistakes Chapel Hill sellers make
• Choosing an agent to sell your Chapel Hill home

Frequently asked questions about Chapel Hill

What is the median home price in Chapel Hill, NC?

According to Redfin, the median sale price in Chapel Hill, NC was about $659,564 as of August 2026, up 19.9% from a year earlier. Homes in Chapel Hill sold in about 40 days on average.

How far is Chapel Hill from Raleigh?

Chapel Hill is about 28 miles west of Raleigh, and the drive usually takes 35 to 45 minutes by I-40. Durham is about 12 miles away.

Is Chapel Hill, NC growing?

Slowly. The U.S. Census Bureau estimates Chapel Hill's population at about 63,565 as of 2025, up from 61,960 in the 2020 census. Chapel Hill has limited land for new homes, which helps keep prices high.

Is Chapel Hill or Durham better for buyers?

Durham costs much less. Redfin put Chapel Hill's median sale price at about $659,564 and Durham's at about $425,000 in August 2026. Chapel Hill buyers usually pay more for the Chapel Hill-Carrboro schools and the college-town lifestyle.

Is Carrboro cheaper than Chapel Hill?

Carrboro sits right next to Chapel Hill and shares the same school district, and it often has smaller, lower-priced homes. Read should I buy in Chapel Hill or Carrboro for a side-by-side comparison.

Thinking about Chapel Hill?

We're Brandy and Lance Nemergut with Be Sunshine Realty Group at eXp Realty, and we help people relocate to Chapel Hill and the rest of the Triangle every week. Start with our Chapel Hill guides or call or text us at 919-583-6895 and we'll walk you through the neighborhoods that fit your budget.