Apex, NC vs Chapel Hill, NC

Apex, NC and Chapel Hill, NC have a very similar cost of living, with only a 3.5% difference in their overall index. Apex scores 131 while Chapel Hill scores 126 on the cost of living index, where 100 represents the national average. The day-to-day expenses for residents in both cities are comparable, though differences emerge when looking at specific categories.

On the housing front, median rent in Apex is $1,784/month compared to $1,483/month in Chapel Hill — a 20% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Chapel Hill has cheaper rent, Apex actually has lower median home values ($514,800 vs $576,500).

Median household income in Apex is $138,442 compared to $85,825 in Chapel Hill (+61.3%). While Apex is more expensive, its higher salaries more than compensate — residents there may actually end up with more disposable income. Looking at affordability, residents of Apex spend roughly 15.5% of their income on rent, less than the 20.7% in Chapel Hill.