The most affordable cities to buy a house in North Carolina (2026)

Every North Carolina city over 10,000 residents, ranked by the gross household income it takes to buy the typical home: 20% down at 6.66% (30-yr fixed), including North Carolina property tax and insurance. Data through 2026-06.

  1. Roanoke Rapids — typical home $124K, income to buy about $34,000/yr
  2. Laurinburg — typical home $147K, income to buy about $40,000/yr
  3. Kinston — typical home $152K, income to buy about $41,000/yr
  4. Eden — typical home $153K, income to buy about $41,000/yr
  5. Lumberton — typical home $154K, income to buy about $42,000/yr
  6. Tarboro — typical home $159K, income to buy about $43,000/yr
  7. Henderson — typical home $184K, income to buy about $50,000/yr
  8. Rocky Mount — typical home $190K, income to buy about $51,000/yr
  9. Goldsboro — typical home $199K, income to buy about $54,000/yr
  10. Reidsville — typical home $218K, income to buy about $59,000/yr
  11. Shelby — typical home $219K, income to buy about $59,000/yr
  12. Lenoir — typical home $220K, income to buy about $60,000/yr
  13. Wilson — typical home $220K, income to buy about $60,000/yr
  14. Mount Airy — typical home $222K, income to buy about $60,000/yr
  15. Fayetteville — typical home $227K, income to buy about $62,000/yr
  16. Greenville — typical home $239K, income to buy about $65,000/yr
  17. Havelock — typical home $239K, income to buy about $65,000/yr
  18. Thomasville — typical home $242K, income to buy about $66,000/yr
  19. Asheboro — typical home $246K, income to buy about $67,000/yr
  20. Kings Mountain — typical home $249K, income to buy about $68,000/yr
  21. High Point — typical home $252K, income to buy about $68,000/yr
  22. Archdale — typical home $253K, income to buy about $69,000/yr
  23. Burlington — typical home $259K, income to buy about $70,000/yr
  24. Newton — typical home $264K, income to buy about $71,000/yr
  25. Spring Lake — typical home $264K, income to buy about $72,000/yr

At the other end, North Carolina's priciest markets: Weddington ($290,000/yr), Waxhaw ($196,000/yr), Davidson ($179,000/yr), Chapel Hill ($174,000/yr), Cary ($171,000/yr).

"Income to buy" holds the typical home's payment inside the 28% lender guideline. Your own verdict depends on savings and debts — open any city and run your numbers, or see the whole country on the affordability map.

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