Explore the 2026 North Carolina real estate market statistics: home prices, sales trends, and mortgage rates for buyers statewide.
The North Carolina real estate market offers diverse, affordable options, with rising prices and strong demand across single-family homes, townhomes, and condos.
First-time buyers benefit from many homes under $300,000, while new construction provides larger, modern layouts. For those exploring NC luxury real estate, options range from oceanfront properties along the NC coast to mountain golf communities, offering unique opportunities for homeownership.
At Luxury Communities, we’ve gathered 10 statistics that reveal the current state of the North Carolina housing market.
1. The median sale price in North Carolina was $383,300 — a 1.7% increase from last year
Based on Redfin’s latest data from December 2025:
- The median sale price for single family homes is $399,900, up 2.4% year-over year.
- Townhouses saw a 3.5% price drop, falling to a median sale price of $323,200.
- Condos and co-ops have seen the most price growth, with a 6.4% increase year-over-year to reach a median sale price of $334,000.
Home prices in the state continue to follow a clear seasonal pattern. In recent years, the median home price has typically peaked in June, reaching a five-year high of $397,200 in June 2025.
By contrast, prices in the North Carolina real estate market tend to dip in the winter months, with January and February consistently recording the lowest median sale prices, falling to $369,100 in February 2025. However, median prices in winter are trending upward.
Source: Redfin.
2. In December, home sales were up 9.9% year-over-year, with 12,502 homes sold statewide
Home sales have remained relatively stable over the past three years, following a 15.6% drop from June 2022 to 2023, after a 10.1% decline from June 2021 to 2022.
In December 2025:
- 10,576 single family homes were sold, an 11.2% increase year-over-year.
- Townhome sales increased 4.3%, reaching 1,366 sales for the month.
- Condos and co-ops were the only category to decrease year-over-year, with 442 sold at a 3.3% decline.
Source: Redfin.
3. Home values increased 81% in less than 8 years, peaking last year
In February 2025, the average home value in North Carolina peaked at $330,546, up from $181,256 in September 2017. This represents an 81.36% increase.
The most recent data from December 2025 shows an average home value of $327,663.
Source: Zillow.
4. The median days on market reached a 5-year high of 72
In December 2025, homes in North Carolina stayed on the market an average of 15 days longer than in the same month the year prior, rising from 57 to 72 days.
- Single-family homes averaged 71 days on the market, reflecting a 14-day increase year-over-year.
- Townhomes experienced a larger jump, with median days on market climbing to 77—up 23 days from December 2024.
- Condos and co-ops saw the strongest fluctuations, surging to an average of 121 days on the market in September 2025, a 69-day increase year-over-year, before easing to 85 days by December. Even with that decline, December’s figure remained 28 days higher than the previous year.
Historically, days on the North Carolina real estate market tend to peak in January or February, increasing by another seven days between December 2024 and February 2025. As newer data becomes available, early 2026 figures are likely to exceed the five-year high recorded at the end of 2025.
Source: Redfin.
5. Active listings reached their highest number in at least 5 years, and nearly 1 in 5 were new
The number of homes for sale reached a five-year high in 2025, with Redfin reporting a peak of 67,920 listings in July of that year—up 28% from the same month the previous year. There were 57,237 listings at the end of 2025, a 15.2% increase year-over-year.
Zillow also reported strong numbers, with a total sale inventory of 44,941 homes as of Dec. 31, 2025. Of those, 8,554, or 19%, were new listings.
6. Nearly two-thirds of homes were selling under list price at the end of last year
According to the latest information from November 2025, 65.3% of homes were selling under list price. Meanwhile, 17.6% of sales were over list price. This indicates that only 17.1% of homes were selling at list price.
In December 2025, the median list price was $396,300, a 0.6% decrease year-over-year.
Source: Zillow.
7. Nearly 70% of listings fall under $500,000, within conventional loan limits
Almost seven out of 10 listings in North Carolina are listed below $500,000, keeping them within standard conforming loan limits. This significantly expands financing options for buyers and contributes to sustained housing demand across multiple price tiers.
Meanwhile, more than one third of homes in the state are listed below $300,000, creating accessible entry points for first-time and budget-conscious homebuyers.
Additionally:
- 21.8% of listings are priced below $200,000.
- 15.2% list between $200,000 and $300,000.
- Nearly 20% are priced from $300,000 to $400,000.
- 12.9% of properties are listed between $400 and $500,000.
- Approximately 8.5% of homes are priced above $1 million.
Source: HousingWire.
8. New construction homes are larger, newer, and priced above the state average
Approximately 10,810 new homes have been constructed since 2023, with an average price of $610,371.
These homes offer larger living spaces and upgraded features compared to statewide averages:
- Average size: 2,383 sq. ft. vs. 2,191 statewide.
- Bedrooms: 3.68 vs. 3.35 statewide.
- Bathrooms: 2.9 vs. 2.68 statewide.
Source: HousingWire.
9. Charlotte leads the state in listings, while coastal and mountain markets command premium prices
Charlotte has the highest number of active listings statewide, with 3,452 homes averaging $646,791. Other major markets show significant price variation:
- Raleigh: 1,950 listings averaging $763,589.
- Asheville: 1,163 listings averaging $804,898.
- Wilmington: 986 listings with the highest average at $826,661.
More affordable metro areas include:
- Fayetteville: 1,162 listings averaging $312,807.
- Winston-Salem: 807 listings with a $380,199 average.
- Greensboro: 673 listings averaging $439,014.
Source: HousingWire.
10. North Carolina 30-year fixed mortgage rates hover around 6.13%—lower than the national average
As of February 2026, the 15-year fixed rate averages 5.75%. Refinance rates in the Tar Heel State have been trending downward, falling 1.3% year-over-year.
Nationally, the 30-year fixed mortgage rate sits at 6.23%, with the average refinance rate around 6.64%, according to Bankrate.
Experts expect mortgage rates to remain mostly stable in the near term, fluctuating within a 6-7% range, unless changes in the Federal Reserve benchmark rate push them lower.
Source: Bankrate.
What These North Carolina Real Estate Market Statistics Reveal
- Home prices are rising, but seasonal dips still offer opportunities for buyers.
- The market remains active, with stable sales and strong demand across home types.
- Longer time on market suggests buyers have more negotiation leverage, especially for condos and co-ops.
- Most listings are under $500,000, making financing more accessible and supporting affordability.
- One-third of homes are priced below $300,000, providing entry points for first-time buyers.
- New construction offers larger, modern homes that appeal to growing families.
- Regional differences create options for both premium and budget-conscious buyers.
- Mortgage rates are relatively stable, keeping homeownership attainable in the current NC housing market.
Find Your Ideal North Carolina Home
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