Cheapest Places to Live in North Carolina (2026)
Looking for the most affordable cities in North Carolina? We ranked 18 North Carolina cities by median home value. The cheapest is Williamston (~$122,000); the North Carolina median is $290,000.
Most affordable cities in North Carolina
Ranked by median home value, lowest first:
| # | City | Median home value | $ / sq ft |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Williamston | $122,000 | $109 |
| 2 | Wilson | $172,000 | $153 |
| 3 | Rocky Mount | $208,000 | $140 |
| 4 | High Point | $213,000 | $174 |
| 5 | Fayetteville | $235,500 | $154 |
| 6 | Greensboro | $238,000 | $184 |
| 7 | Winston-Salem | $260,000 | $185 |
| 8 | Gastonia | $273,000 | $189 |
| 9 | Salisbury | $300,000 | $189 |
| 10 | Wilmington | $398,000 | $275 |
Most expensive cities in North Carolina
The priciest North Carolina markets by median home value:
| # | City | Median home value | $ / sq ft |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Chapel Hill | $651,000 | $281 |
| 2 | Cary | $636,000 | $255 |
| 3 | Apex | $610,000 | $239 |
| 4 | Raleigh | $505,000 | $242 |
| 5 | Asheville | $450,000 | $318 |
| 6 | Hendersonville | $430,000 | $267 |
| 7 | Durham | $422,000 | $226 |
| 8 | Charlotte | $412,000 | $277 |
| 9 | Wilmington | $398,000 | $275 |
| 10 | Salisbury | $300,000 | $189 |
How we rank North Carolina cities
Rankings use the typical (median) home value for each city from public market data (Realtor.com & Zillow research). Affordability also depends on incomes, taxes, and cost of living — see each city page for local detail. Directional estimates, not appraisals.
Explore all North Carolina home values, estimate any home with the Home Value Estimator, or see where your budget goes furthest nationwide.
North Carolina affordability: FAQ
What is the cheapest place to live in North Carolina? +
Based on median home value, Williamston is among the most affordable cities in North Carolina, with a typical home around $122,000 — well below the North Carolina median of $290,000.
What is the most expensive city in North Carolina? +
By median home value, Chapel Hill is among the priciest in North Carolina, with a typical home around $651,000.
Is North Carolina an affordable place to live? +
The median home value in North Carolina is about $290,000 (1% more affordable than the U.S. median of $294,000), but prices vary widely by city — from around $122,000 to $651,000.