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BUYER BRIEFING Chapel Hill, NC
Chapel Hill, NC vs Raleigh, NC Market Analysis

Why Chapel Hill is the smarter buy vs Raleigh.

Chapel Hill runs a seller's market with a Market Action index of 35.21 — yet its median price has softened -5.1% YoY, giving buyers a rare window to enter a high-demand, high-value market at a discount.

Median Price

Midpoint listing price across the market. The key benchmark for overall market value and tracking price trends over time.
Median Price Single Family (Jun 2025 – Jun 2026)
Chapel Hill, NC · Raleigh, NC
Price & Value
Counts & Metrics
Percentages
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Median Price: Midpoint listing price across the market. The key benchmark for overall market value and tracking price trends over time.
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Data supplied by Altos
Median Home Price
$925K vs $600K
Days on Market
35 days vs 49 days
Price Per Sq Ft
$301 vs $268
Months of Inventory
2.51 mo vs 2.27 mo

Top Signals

Four Data Points
Median Home Price
$925K vs $600K
Chapel Hill's median sits at $925K, down from $975K a year ago (-5.1% YoY) and holding flat vs 3mo ago. You're buying a premium market at a cyclical low. Raleigh's $600K is up from $560K 6mo ago (+7.1%), trending the wrong way for buyers.
Days on Market
35 days vs 49 days
Chapel Hill homes are moving in just 35 days — down sharply from 49 days 3mo ago and 42 days a year ago. Raleigh sits at 49 days, up from 42 days YoY. Chapel Hill demand is accelerating faster, signaling stronger long-term value retention for your purchase.
Price Per Sq Ft
$301 vs $268
Chapel Hill commands $301/sq ft (May 2026), up +4.6% from $288/sq ft a year ago — a 3mo upward trend from $291. Raleigh's $268/sq ft is also rising (+1.2% YoY from $271). Chapel Hill's stronger appreciation rate means more equity growth per dollar invested.
Months of Inventory
2.51 mo vs 2.27 mo
Chapel Hill has 2.51 months of inventory vs Raleigh's 2.27 — both firmly seller's markets under 4 months, but Chapel Hill's slightly higher supply gives buyers marginally more options and negotiating room while still being in a competitive, demand-driven market.
What This Means

Buy Chapel Hill Before the Price Rebound

Chapel Hill is a structurally stronger market — higher per-foot value, faster-moving homes, and a proven premium. Prices are down 5% YoY, but demand signals say that gap is closing. Buy now before the rebound prices you out of this market.

Honest Caveats

Raleigh's $600K median is far more accessible than Chapel Hill's $925K, and Raleigh's Market Action index of 37.24 edges out Chapel Hill's 35.21. If budget is the primary constraint, Raleigh offers solid appreciation in a slightly more active market.

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Jim and Lori Hill
328898/327431
JimandLori@HillnHills.com (919) 906-1636
Source: June 2025 - June 2026 Market Data
Updated June 18, 2026