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Cheapest places to live in North Carolina

Greensboro has the lowest median listed home of the 6 North Carolina cities we cover, at $327,000 (September 2026).

By Sol Lakein. Updated October 2026.

The 3 cheapest in North Carolina

Ranked by median listed home. Tap a city for weather, flights and monthly costs.
  1. Downtown Greensboro at sunrise, Greensboro
    1
    Greensboro$327,000 median home
    Mortgage
    $1,797/mo
    2-bed rent
    $1,218
    Prices
    7% cheaper
    See Greensboro
  2. Charlotte skyline from the west side, Charlotte
    2
    Charlotte$424,950 median home
    Mortgage
    $2,335/mo
    2-bed rent
    $1,589
    Prices
    3% cheaper
    See Charlotte
  3. Raleigh skyline from the Boylan Bridge, Raleigh
    3
    Raleigh$445,000 median home
    Mortgage
    $2,445/mo
    2-bed rent
    $1,673
    Prices
    2% cheaper
    See Raleigh

Ranks 4 to 6

  1. 4Durham$460,135 · $2,529/mo mortgage
    2-bed rent
    $1,630
    Prices
    2% cheaper
    Incentive
    None
  2. 5Wilmington$471,489 · $2,591/mo mortgage
    2-bed rent
    $1,658
    Prices
    4% cheaper
    Incentive
    None
  3. 6Asheville$575,000 · $3,160/mo mortgage
    2-bed rent
    $1,492
    Prices
    3% cheaper
    Incentive
    None

Monthly payment vs New York

Principal and interest on the median listed home.
Greensboro$1,797/mo
Asheville, priciest we cover$3,160/mo
New York metro$4,078/mo

Principal and interest on the median listed home with 20% down, 30-year fixed at 7.32% (Freddie Mac 30-year fixed average, week of October 22, 2026). Excludes taxes, insurance and HOA.

Ranked by home price

All 6 cities in one table.
See all 6 North Carolina cities, cheapest first
RankCityMedian listed homeMonthly payment2-bed rentPrice levelIncentive
1Greensboro$327,000$1,797$1,21892.9None
2Charlotte$424,950$2,335$1,58997.3None
3Raleigh$445,000$2,445$1,67398.2None
4Durham$460,135$2,529$1,63097.6None
5Wilmington$471,489$2,591$1,65896.4None
6Asheville$575,000$3,160$1,49296.5None

More on North Carolina

Questions people ask

What is the cheapest city to live in North Carolina?

Of the cities we cover, Greensboro. Its median listed home is $327,000 (Realtor.com via FRED, September 2026).

Is North Carolina cheap to live in?

North Carolina's overall price level is 94.3, where the US average is 100 (BEA, 2024). That is below average.

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Notes on the numbers
  1. 1Median listing: Realtor.com via FRED. Price level: BEA regional price parities, 2024 (US = 100). 2-bed rent: Census ACS, 2025. Principal and interest on the median listed home with 20% down, 30-year fixed at 7.32% (Freddie Mac 30-year fixed average, week of October 22, 2026). Excludes taxes, insurance and HOA.
  2. 2Median listing: Realtor.com via FRED, September 2026. Prices vs US average: BEA regional price parities, 2024. 2-bed rent: Census ACS, 2025.
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