Cities with the most expensive homes in North Carolina

Purchasing a home is one of the most important investments there is. More than a place to live, homeownership is an asset with the potential to tremendously rise in value. But with home prices reaching record heights, affordability plays a huge role for buyers.

The typical home value in the United States was $344,000 in December, 3.6% lower than the year before, but in line with seasonal trends.

High mortgage rates are also making monthly payments more expensive; as of Jan. 25, the 30-year fixed mortgage rate sits at 6.69%.

Although home prices have inflated all across the U.S., there are some cities that command a higher price tag than others. Location, size, age, and condition are all contributing factors to home value.

Stacker compiled a list of cities with the most expensive homes in North Carolina using data from Zillow. Cities are ranked by the Zillow Home Values Index for all homes as of December 2023. The charts in this story were created automatically using Matplotlib.

Metros with the most cities in the top 30 in North Carolina

#1. Kill Devil Hills, NC: 6
#2. Myrtle Beach-Conway-North Myrtle Beach, SC-NC: 4
#2. Wilmington, NC: 4
#4. Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC: 3
#4. Morehead City, NC: 3
#6. Cullowhee, NC: 2
#7. Boone, NC: 1
#7. Brevard, NC: 1
#7. Durham-Chapel Hill, NC: 1
#7. Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC: 1
#7. Roanoke Rapids, NC: 1
#7. Virginia Beach-Norfolk-Newport News, VA-NC: 1

30. Davidson
- Typical home value: $622,766- 1-year price change: +3.4%- 5-year price change: +58.5%- Metro area: Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC

29. Caswell Beach
- Typical home value: $632,314- 1-year price change: +3.4%- 5-year price change: +81.0%- Metro area: Myrtle Beach-Conway-North Myrtle Beach, SC-NC

28. Rodanthe
- Typical home value: $633,598- 1-year price change: +0.1%- 5-year price change: +56.0%- Metro area: Kill Devil Hills, NC

27. New Hill
- Typical home value: $635,127- 1-year price change: +2.0%- 5-year price change: +58.6%- Metro area: Durham-Chapel Hill, NC

26. Lake Santeetlah
- Typical home value: $639,570- 1-year price change: -1.8%- 5-year price change: +53.4%- Metro area: not in a metro area

25. Salvo
- Typical home value: $645,125- 1-year price change: +2.1%- 5-year price change: +59.9%- Metro area: Kill Devil Hills, NC

24. Indian Beach
- Typical home value: $647,395- 1-year price change: +4.6%- 5-year price change: +74.7%- Metro area: Morehead City, NC

23. Lake Toxaway
- Typical home value: $649,184- 1-year price change: +6.7%- 5-year price change: +76.3%- Metro area: Brevard, NC

22. Henrico
- Typical home value: $659,591- 1-year price change: +0.8%- 5-year price change: +63.8%- Metro area: Roanoke Rapids, NC

21. Blowing Rock
- Typical home value: $675,788- 1-year price change: +4.4%- 5-year price change: +74.6%- Metro area: Boone, NC

20. Surf City
- Typical home value: $677,756- 1-year price change: +2.5%- 5-year price change: +98.4%- Metro area: Wilmington, NC

19. Pine Knoll Shores
- Typical home value: $678,992- 1-year price change: +2.6%- 5-year price change: +79.2%- Metro area: Morehead City, NC

18. Saint James
- Typical home value: $686,762- 1-year price change: +3.8%- 5-year price change: +70.2%- Metro area: Myrtle Beach-Conway-North Myrtle Beach, SC-NC

17. Nags Head
- Typical home value: $690,849- 1-year price change: +1.9%- 5-year price change: +65.0%- Metro area: Kill Devil Hills, NC

16. Glenville
- Typical home value: $710,019- 1-year price change: +2.8%- 5-year price change: +68.4%- Metro area: Cullowhee, NC

15. Emerald Isle
- Typical home value: $710,245- 1-year price change: +5.3%- 5-year price change: +74.3%- Metro area: Morehead City, NC

14. Terrell
- Typical home value: $743,913- 1-year price change: +4.1%- 5-year price change: +69.3%- Metro area: Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC

13. Kure Beach
- Typical home value: $746,726- 1-year price change: +2.6%- 5-year price change: +82.7%- Metro area: Wilmington, NC

12. Southern Shores
- Typical home value: $775,755- 1-year price change: +4.4%- 5-year price change: +72.1%- Metro area: Kill Devil Hills, NC

11. Waves
- Typical home value: $839,192- 1-year price change: +2.6%- 5-year price change: +62.4%- Metro area: Kill Devil Hills, NC

10. Holden Beach
- Typical home value: $856,087- 1-year price change: +3.7%- 5-year price change: +86.7%- Metro area: Myrtle Beach-Conway-North Myrtle Beach, SC-NC

9. Corolla
- Typical home value: $899,330- 1-year price change: +2.8%- 5-year price change: +69.3%- Metro area: Virginia Beach-Norfolk-Newport News, VA-NC

8. Topsail Beach
- Typical home value: $909,376- 1-year price change: +0.7%- 5-year price change: +96.1%- Metro area: Wilmington, NC

7. Highlands
- Typical home value: $921,976- 1-year price change: -0.8%- 5-year price change: +73.7%- Metro area: not in a metro area

6. Duck
- Typical home value: $935,155- 1-year price change: +1.6%- 5-year price change: +68.5%- Metro area: Kill Devil Hills, NC

5. Weddington
- Typical home value: $935,362- 1-year price change: +4.1%- 5-year price change: +69.7%- Metro area: Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC

4. Marvin
- Typical home value: $1,072,067- 1-year price change: +6.8%- 5-year price change: +67.4%- Metro area: Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC

3. Cashiers
- Typical home value: $1,092,925- 1-year price change: +1.3%- 5-year price change: +88.2%- Metro area: Cullowhee, NC

2. Bald Head Island
- Typical home value: $1,281,033- 1-year price change: +2.0%- 5-year price change: +75.6%- Metro area: Myrtle Beach-Conway-North Myrtle Beach, SC-NC

1. Wrightsville Beach
- Typical home value: $1,467,548- 1-year price change: +0.5%- 5-year price change: +76.8%- Metro area: Wilmington, NC

This story features data reporting and writing by Elena Cox and is part of a series utilizing data automation across 50 states.