Historical data
Pick an indicator to see its long-run evolution.
Median home value
1970–2023Census / Zillow ZHVI, nominal dollars.
Home Prices
Sale prices and trends.
FHFA House Price Index
1975–2025FHFA all-transactions index, annual average of quarters. Source: FHFA via FRED (NCSTHPI).
| Indicator | North Carolina | U.S. |
|---|---|---|
| Median sale price (USD) | 340000 | 412000 |
Median Home Value
Typical value of owner-occupied homes.
Median value of owner-occupied homes
2008–2024Census American Community Survey 1-year estimates, B25077 (2020 not released).
| Indicator | North Carolina | U.S. |
|---|---|---|
| Median home value (USD) | 322000 | 359000 |
Rent Prices
Cost of renting.
Rent of primary residence index (South region)
2006–2025BLS CPI-U, South region, annual average (CUUR0300SEHA).
| Indicator | North Carolina | U.S. |
|---|---|---|
| Median gross rent (USD/mo) | 1320 | 1406 |
- •Asheville and Wilmington have some of the widest gaps between local rents and local wages in the state.
Housing Inventory
Total housing stock.
Total housing units
2008–2024Census American Community Survey 1-year estimates, B25001 (2020 not released).
Vacant housing units
2008–2024Census American Community Survey 1-year estimates, B25002 (2020 not released).
| Indicator | North Carolina | U.S. |
|---|---|---|
| Total housing units (M) | 4.9 | 145.3 |
Building Permits
New residential construction.
New private housing units authorized
1988–2025Census Building Permits Survey, sum of 12 months (FRED NCBPPRIV).
| Indicator | North Carolina | U.S. |
|---|---|---|
| Permits per 1,000 residents | 8.4 | 4.4 |
- •North Carolina issues more new housing permits per resident than any other state outside the Mountain West and Florida.
Homeownership Rate
Share of owner-occupied homes.
Homeownership rate (CPS/HVS)
1984–2025Census Housing Vacancy Survey, annual (FRED NCHOWN).
| Indicator | North Carolina | U.S. |
|---|---|---|
| Homeownership rate (%) | 66.6 | 65.7 |
Housing Affordability
Home cost relative to income.
Housing price level vs U.S. (RPP rents)
2008–2024BEA Regional Price Parities, housing services (SARPP line 3).
| Indicator | North Carolina | U.S. |
|---|---|---|
| Housing price level vs U.S. (RPP rents)2024, BEA Regional Price Parities | 81.4 | 100 |
| Home value-to-income ratio | 4.5 | 4.7 |
Vacancy Rate
Share of unoccupied units.
Rental vacancy rate
1986–2025Census Housing Vacancy Survey, annual (FRED NCRVAC).
Homeowner vacancy rate
1986–2025Census Housing Vacancy Survey, annual (FRED NCHVAC).
| Indicator | North Carolina | U.S. |
|---|---|---|
| Overall vacancy rate (%) | 11.4 | 10.6 |
- •A large part of North Carolina's vacant stock is seasonal housing on the Outer Banks and in the mountains.