Typical home prices in some North Carolina cities are in the $500s and even $600s, but the state offers much more affordable options while still enjoying the benefits of living here.
In fact, by our estimates, you could become a homeowner for around $1,000 per month in some locales.
Have your eye on North Carolina? You may want to look for homes in these cities first.
Affordable North Carolina Cities and Typical Home Prices
| Ranking | City | Average Home Cost |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Roanoke Rapids | $117,018 |
| 2 | Rockingham | $128,171 |
| 3 | Kinston | $140,709 |
| 4 | Lumberton | $143,884 |
| 5 | Eden | $145,231 |
| 6 | Clinton | $149,112 |
| 7 | Henderson | $177,781 |
| 8 | Rocky Mount | $183,104 |
| 9 | Goldsboro | $187,291 |
| 10 | Mount Airy | $199,850 |
1. Roanoke Rapids - $117,018
Roanoke Rapids is the most affordable location on our list. With home prices under $120,000, living in this city of around 15,000 residents won’t break the bank. At just 90 minutes from Raleigh, this town offers a slower pace of life without being too remote. Estimated monthly payments for the typical home in Roanoke Rapids cost just $884.
2. Rockingham - $128,171
Located less than 20 minutes from the South Carolina border, Rockingham, with a population of just under 10,000, is rich in history: it was founded back in 1784. According to the city's website, it also offers incredible scenery and natural areas, making it an excellent place for wildlife enthusiasts to call home. Living in Rockingham is affordable, with the typical home having an estimated mortgage payment of $968 per month.
3. Kinston - $140,709
A town of about 20,000, Kinston is in eastern North Carolina and dates back to 1791. History buffs will enjoy the town’s CSS Neuse Civil War Museum, which features the remains of the namesake steam-powered warship sunk to prevent capture by Union troops in March 1865. The estimated monthly cost of the typical home in Kinston? A very reasonable $1,062.
4. Lumberton - $143,884
A city of around 20,000, Lumberton offers a small-town feel while being just 30 minutes from the busy city of Fayetteville. Atlantic Ocean beaches are just 90 minutes from the town, making it a great base for a sunny-day beach trip or weekend getaway. Buying the average home in Lumberton will set you back an estimated $1,086 per month.
5. Eden - $145,231
Eden, just an hour outside Winston-Salem, offers homes at nearly half the cost of the larger metro. A website dedicated to the city, Explore Eden, highlights its outdoor activities, restaurants, drive-in theater, and more. The typical home in Eden comes with an estimated monthly mortgage payment of $1,097.
6. Clinton - $149,112
Living in Clinton proves to be ultra-affordable, with low home prices and plenty of work opportunities in agriculture, manufacturing, and other industries. The official Clinton website boasts that the city is within commuting distance of many employment hubs, including Fayetteville, Raleigh, and Wilmington. Thinking about buying a home in Clinton? Expect an estimated monthly payment of $1,126 for the average property.
7. Henderson - $177,781
About an hour north of Raleigh, Henderson offers affordable home prices and scenic natural areas – the city is just minutes from Kerr Lake, the largest man-made lake in the eastern United States. What’s even better is that the entire town is geographically eligible for zero-down loans from the USDA. Conventional borrowers buying the typical home can anticipate estimated mortgage payments of $1,342 per month.
8. Rocky Mount - $183,104
Situated an hour northeast of the state capital Raleigh, Rocky Mount offers affordable living and employment opportunities, with a diversified economy that includes pharmaceuticals, manufacturing, and logistics. One of the bigger cities on the list, Rocky Mount boasts a population of around 54,000. You won’t run out of things to do here, with parks, lakes, museums, and other activities. The monthly cost of the typical home in Rocky Mount? A cool $1,383.
9. Goldsboro - $187,291
Though it’s one of the most expensive cities on our list, home prices here are much more affordable than in most of the state. If you’re an outdoor enthusiast, this could be the place for you, as it offers hiking, kayaking, biking, fishing, and more at Cliffs of the Neuse State Park. Buying a home in Goldsboro comes with an estimated monthly price tag of $1,414.
10. Mount Airy - $199,850
With a population of around 10,600, Mount Airy is undoubtedly a small town, but also a popular tourist destination. That’s because the city is the birthplace of actor Andy Griffith and is said to have inspired the fictional town of Mayberry on the Andy Griffith Show. Here, you can visit the Andy Griffith museum, take a ride in Barney Fife’s squad car, and enjoy the annual Mayberry Days festival. The average cost to buy a home in Mount Airy? A comfortable $1,509 per month.
Get Pre-Approved for Your North Carolina Home
Many towns and cities across North Carolina are affordable for just about any budget. From historic communities like Rockingham and Kinston to larger cities like Rocky Mount, there’s somewhere for everyone to call home. See what home price you qualify for by requesting your pre-approval today.
Methodology
To find the 10 most affordable housing markets in North Carolina, we started with average home prices as reported on the Zillow Home Value Index (ZHVI) Single-Family Home Time Series for November 2025. We assumed a 5% down payment, the typical requirement for first-time buyers. We then calculated the monthly payment on a 30-year fixed mortgage at 6.395%, the recent 30-day average from rate marketplace I Can Buy based on a buyer with a 700 credit score putting 5% down. We added PMI costs per mortgage insurance provider MGIC and tax rates by state from TaxFoundation.org. Homeowner’s insurance estimates were calculated using Nerdwallet’s cost in each state for $300,000 in dwelling coverage. We multiplied this rate by 67.8%, the U.S. average of total market value represented by the structure according to ResiClub (since homeowners insurance is based on the structure, not total value). We then multiplied this rate by the average home’s total market value. We assumed no HOA dues. To increase relevancy, we limited eligible cities to the top 3,000 largest by population nationwide per Zillow data.
Estimated payments are for example purposes only. Not a commitment to lend.
