Buying a home in North Carolina

Property taxes, transfer taxes, home values and first-time buyer help in North Carolina.

Effective property tax rate

0.66%

Median tax $1,896 ÷ median value $288,900 (ACS 2020–2024)

Typical home value

$334,773

Zillow ZHVI, 2026-08

State transfer tax

0.2%

Usually paid by: seller. N.C. Gen. Stat. § 105-228.28 et seq. (excise stamp tax). Official source. Local taxes may add more.

Estimated buyer closing costs Estimate

$2,100–$3,700

On a $334,773 home: typical lender fees + title insurance + deed recording (TallyClose) + the buyer’s share of transfer/recording taxes. Excludes prepaids, escrow and local taxes.

At North Carolina's effective rate of 0.66%, a typical $334,773 home would owe about $2,210/year ($184/month) in property taxes. Actual bills depend on your county, city and exemptions. Run your numbers.

First-time homebuyer programs

North Carolina Housing Finance Agency

Your state housing finance agency offers down payment assistance and low-rate mortgages for eligible buyers. Visit North Carolina Housing Finance Agency →

Sources: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-year (B25103, B25077); Zillow Home Value Index; TallyClose closing-cost dataset (CC BY 4.0), which cites each state statute; NCSHA HFA directory. Last updated 2026-10-15.