Cost of Living in Chatham County, North Carolina
At a Glance
Rent burden measured as median gross rent as a percentage of renter household income (Census ACS B25071)
These figures are county medians, not a personal budget. Use them to frame rent, ownership, and income tradeoffs, then account for household size, commute, financing, insurance, taxes, debt, and local availability before making a decision.
How Chatham County Compares
Median monthly rent comparison
Detailed Housing Stats
National Ranking
Affordability Rank
Chatham County ranks #2,569 of 3,142 counties for affordability (bottom 18%)
Sourced county brief
Chatham County Median Home Value Reaches $446,200
Chatham County's median home value was estimated at $446,200, which is $210,888 above the North Carolina unweighted county mean of $235,312. The official Gross Rent as a Percentage of Household Income (GRAPI) was recorded at 29.1%, representing a 0.2 percentage point difference from the state unweighted county mean of 28.9%. Median gross rent in the county was $1,180 per month, which is higher than the state unweighted county mean of $977. Renter-household median income was $54,771, while the median household income for all residents was $94,317. Median selected monthly owner costs for all owner-occupied units were $1,192 per month, compared to the North Carolina unweighted county mean of $927. See ACS table B25071 for the underlying estimate.
Source record
- U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020-2024 5-Year Estimates — B25064 Median Gross Rent
- U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020-2024 5-Year Estimates — B25071 GRAPI
- U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020-2024 5-Year Estimates — B25077 Median Home Value
- U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020-2024 5-Year Estimates — B25088 Selected Monthly Owner Costs
- U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020-2024 5-Year Estimates — B25119 Household Income by Tenure
Data version acs5-2020-2024 · Method cost-brief-v1
Cost of Living Advisory: Chatham County
Affordability Verdict
ACS B25071 estimates median gross rent at 29.1% of renter household income in Chatham County, which is below the 30% affordability benchmark. This is a median percentage among renter-occupied units, not the share of households above a threshold.
Rent vs. Own
Median gross rent is $1,180 per month; median selected monthly owner costs are $1,192. These ACS medians describe different tenure groups and are not a personalized rent-versus-buy calculation.
Income Needed
Using the common 30% budgeting benchmark, $47,200 in annual gross income would allocate 30% to the county's median gross rent. This is a reproducible illustration, not evidence that a particular household can afford housing.
Regional Context
The North Carolina unweighted mean of county median rents is $977 per month. Chatham County's $1,180 median is 20.8% above that comparison value.
Data version acs5-2020-2024 · Method cost-advisory-v2
Affordability Calculator
See how your income compares to housing costs in Chatham County
Rent Burden
15.0%
of gross income
Max Housing (28% Rule)
$2,201
per month
Owner Cost Burden
15.2%
of gross income
The median home in Chatham County may be a stretch
Median home value is $446,200. Estimated monthly cost: $3,562 vs. your max of $2,201.
Rent Affordability Guide
Income Needed Calculator
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Based on the 30% rule for rent and 28% rule for housing costs (mortgage + owner costs). Mortgage estimate assumes 20% down, 7.2% interest, 30-year fixed.
Frequently Asked Questions
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See Today's RatesData: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year Estimates (2020-2024). Data is informational only and is not personalized financial advice.
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