Living in Carrboro, North Carolina
Cost of living, income, home prices, rent and demographics of Carrboro · Census data 2020–2024
Carrboro has 21,204 residents with a median age of 33.4. The median household income is $85,743 (18% higher than the North Carolina median), the median home value is $539,400, the median rent is $1,470/month.
Carrboro at a glance
- Population
- 21,204
- Median age
- 33.4State: 39.1
- Median household income
- $85,743State: $72,388
- Median home value
- $539,400State: $288,900
- Median rent
- $1,470/moState: $1,228
- Homeowners
- 43.5%
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 69.9%
- Average commute
- 23 min
Is Carrboro a good place to live?
Pros: Median household income 18% higher than the North Carolina median; an average commute of 23 minutes; unemployment of 3.6%; a poverty rate of 12.2%.
Cons: Home values 87% higher than the state median.
The weather is best in April–May and September–October.
Cost of living in Carrboro
Housing is the biggest part of the cost of living. In Carrboro the median home value is $539,400, 62% higher than the U.S. median. Renters pay a median of $1,470 per month, which is 33.7% of household income. Homeowners with a mortgage pay $2,796 a month in housing costs.
Carrboro median household income
The median household income in Carrboro is $85,743 and the income per person is $55,875. 12.2% of residents live below the poverty line (North Carolina: 13%).
Housing in Carrboro: homes for sale and rent
- Housing units
- 10,189
- Owner-occupied
- 43.5%
- Renter-occupied
- 56.5%
- Vacant
- 7%Includes seasonal homes
- Median year built
- 1988
- Average household size
- 2.22
Carrboro demographics
- Population
- 21,204
- Median age
- 33.4
- Under 18
- 21.2%
- 65 and older
- 10.4%
- Households
- 9,474
- Foreign-born
- 15.9%
- Veterans
- 4.7%Adults 18+
Hispanic or Latino can be of any race. Population history of Carrboro ›
Education in Carrboro
69.9% of adults 25 and older in Carrboro have a bachelor's degree or higher (North Carolina: 35.7%), and 43.5% have a graduate or professional degree.
Jobs and commute in Carrboro
- Unemployment rate
- 3.6%State: 4.7%
- Average commute
- 23 minState: 25 min
- Work from home
- 27.2%
- Drive alone
- 49.6%
- Public transit
- 7.2%
- Walk to work
- 3.1%
- Homes with broadband
- 95.1%
Carrboro vs nearby towns
| Town | Population | Median income | Home value | Rent |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Carrboro | 21,204 | $85,743 | $539,400 | $1,470 |
| Chapel Hill | 61,607 | $85,989 | $613,700 | $1,613 |
| Carolina Meadows | 555 | $126,007 | $443,800 | $3,501 |
| Governors Village | 2,295 | $125,857 | $602,100 | $1,779 |
| Governors Club | 1,787 | $235,625 | $889,500 | — |
| Briar Chapel | 6,049 | $166,063 | $570,300 | $3,177 |
| Fearrington Village | 2,356 | $86,116 | $472,600 | $3,501 |
| Hillsborough | 9,724 | $98,163 | $460,100 | $1,368 |
| Durham | 291,467 | $81,619 | $392,800 | $1,508 |
More for people moving to Carrboro
Carrboro ZIP code ›Weather and climate ›Living in Carrboro: FAQ
What is the median household income in Carrboro, NC?
The median household income in Carrboro is $85,743, 18% higher than the North Carolina median of $72,388 (U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024).
What is the average home price in Carrboro?
The median home value in Carrboro is $539,400, compared with $288,900 in North Carolina.
How much is rent in Carrboro?
The median gross rent in Carrboro is $1,470 per month, about 33.7% of household income.
Is Carrboro, NC a good place to live?
Pluses: median household income 18% higher than the North Carolina median; an average commute of 23 minutes; unemployment of 3.6%; a poverty rate of 12.2%. Minuses: home values 87% higher than the state median.
What is the median age in Carrboro?
The median age in Carrboro is 33.4 years (North Carolina: 39.1).
How long is the commute in Carrboro?
The average commute to work in Carrboro is 23 minutes; 27.2% of workers work from home.
What is the unemployment rate in Carrboro?
The unemployment rate in Carrboro is 3.6% (U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024).
How educated is Carrboro?
69.9% of adults in Carrboro have a bachelor's degree or higher.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024 (margins of error apply, especially in small towns). Figures are in 2024 dollars.
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