2025 Compare Cities Cost of Living:
Chapel Hill, NC vs Irvine, CA

Change Cities
Highlights
Is it cheaper to live in Irvine or is it cheaper to live in Chapel Hill?
- Irvine is 53.0% more expensive than Chapel Hill.

Which city has more affordable housing, Irvine or Chapel Hill?
- Irvine housing costs are 124.4% more expensive than Chapel Hill housing costs.

Is Health Care more affordable in Chapel Hill or is Health Care more affordable in Irvine.
- Health related expenses are 8.9% less in Irvine.
 Chapel Hill, NCIrvine, CAUnited States
 Overall  Unlock164.9100
 Food & Groceries103.9  Unlock100
 Health  Unlock93.4100
 Housing157.5  Unlock100
 Median Home Cost  Unlock$1,128,000$338,100
 Utilities101  Unlock100
 Transportation  Unlock111.0100
 Miscellaneous113.3  Unlock100
100 = National Average (Below 100 means cheaper than the US average. Above 100 means more expensive.)
DID YOU KNOW?

In order to keep your same standard of living your salary can vary greatly - whether you buy or rent, require child care, or want to include taxes. This is why we are now offering a Premium Salary & Cost of Living Calculator.

Our Premium Calculator Includes:
- Compare Cities cost of living across 9 different categories
- Personal salary calculations can optionally include Home ownership or rental, Child care, and Taxes (with details on state and local sales, income, property and automobile taxes)
- Includes the cost of Child Care for toddlers or infants, at a day care center or home care
- Grocery prices, detailed for 29 staple items in six categories
- Difference in cost of Utilities, including electric, gas and fuel oil
- Health Care Premiums and hospital expenses for major surgeries
- Taxes, Fees and Expenses you should know about, such as local car insurance rates, automobile taxes and registration, commuting costs.
- and 100s of other items you should consider before you relocate

Upgrade to Premium | See Example

Reviews for Chapel Hill    16 Reviews

Between my wife and I, we've lived in Raleigh, Cary, Durham, and Chapel Hill, and it's Chapel Hill we prefer. Franklin Street is always lively with an eclectic mix of  More

   |    Reply

I am not sure if Bert has actually been to the Triangle, but for starters, Durham, as Chapel Hill residents know and envy, is and has been for 5 yrs now a vibrant  More

   |    Reply

someone told me they live in the hills/mountains right near chapel hill, and the summers are much cooler there, while the town itself is easily accessible. is this  More

   |    Reply

Start Your Review of Chapel Hill

Reviews for Irvine    42 Reviews

We've lived in Irvine since '87. We have raised two children within the ISUD. Both are grown up. Sure, there have been many changes since then.. the City has  More

   |    Reply

I've lived in Irvine for 2 years and in Orange County for 10 so I'm pretty familiar with the area by now and all it has to offer. Perhaps my review of this place has  More

   |    Reply

I wouldn't live elsewhere. I originally moved to Irvine in 2002 from the Midwest, not knowing what it even was. I left and moved around a great deal locally in OC,  More

   |    Reply

Start Your Review of Irvine


Premium Subscription
Includes Cost of Living compares for child care, utilities, transportation, health, taxes, housing for home owners vs renters, weather, insurance premiums and so much more.


The premier source for comprehensive city data for over 30 years.

© Best Places. All rights reserved.