Cost of Living in Orange 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 Orange County Compares
Median monthly rent comparison
Detailed Housing Stats
National Ranking
Affordability Rank
Orange County ranks #2,893 of 3,142 counties for affordability (bottom 8%)
Sourced county brief
Orange County Official GRAPI Percentage Reaches 34.2%
In Orange County, the official ACS B25071 median gross rent as a percentage of household income (GRAPI) is 34.2%. This figure is 5.3 percentage points higher than the North Carolina unweighted county mean of 28.9%. The median gross rent in the county was estimated at $1,496, compared to the state unweighted county mean of $977. For owner-occupied housing, the median selected monthly owner cost is $1,524, which is $597 above the unweighted county mean of $927 across the state. The median home value is reported at $459,500, nearly double the state unweighted county mean of $235,312. Median renter-household income for the county was $49,216 during this period. These statistics provide a snapshot of housing costs relative to local income but do not indicate market suitability or future pricing. 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: Orange County
Affordability Verdict
ACS B25071 estimates median gross rent at 34.2% of renter household income in Orange County, which is between the 30% and 50% rent-burden benchmarks. This is a median percentage among renter-occupied units, not the share of households above a threshold.
Rent vs. Own
Median gross rent is $1,496 per month; median selected monthly owner costs are $1,524. These ACS medians describe different tenure groups and are not a personalized rent-versus-buy calculation.
Income Needed
Using the common 30% budgeting benchmark, $59,840 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. Orange County's $1,496 median is 53.2% above that comparison value.
Data version acs5-2020-2024 · Method cost-advisory-v2
Affordability Calculator
See how your income compares to housing costs in Orange County
Rent Burden
19.9%
of gross income
Max Housing (28% Rule)
$2,102
per month
Owner Cost Burden
20.3%
of gross income
The median home in Orange County may be a stretch
Median home value is $459,500. Estimated monthly cost: $3,668 vs. your max of $2,102.
Rent Affordability Guide
Income Needed Calculator
See how much you need to earn to comfortably afford housing
$0/yr
Needed to stay within recommended threshold
$0/yr
Needed to stay within recommended threshold
$0/yr
Needed to stay within recommended threshold
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
What is the cost of living in Orange County, North Carolina?
What is the median rent in Orange County?
Is Orange County affordable?
How does Orange County's rent compare to the state average?
What is the median home value in Orange County?
Counties with Similar Housing Costs
Planning a Move?
Researching the cost of living in Orange County, North Carolina? Compare moving quotes from top providers and save on your relocation.
Compare Moving QuotesCompare Mortgage Rates in Orange County
Whether you're buying in Orange County, North Carolina, or refinancing, compare rates from top lenders using the terms each lender provides.
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.
CostByCounty participates in affiliate programs. We may earn a commission when you use our links, at no extra cost to you.