The 5 most affordable places to live in North Carolina in 2025

There are many beautiful places to live in North Carolina, but consider these options if you’re looking for a good community and better savings opportunities.

With the state boasting more than 4.7 million housing units, per 2020 U.S. Census data, and the scenery being gorgeous throughout, there are countless stunning places to live in North Carolina. But beauty has to be practical; without a solid foundation, a house can only stand for so long. That’s why you have to be extra smart when scouting out a new town or city to move to.

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Like in any other state, rural communities tend to have cheaper properties than larger cities (think Raleigh, which expands and grows more beautifully diverse with each passing year). As such, it should come as no surprise that many of the most affordable places to live in North Carolina in 2025 are smaller locales. Don’t just take our word for it, though. We’re going to look at real estate firm Redfin’s data for the median home price in each of the cheapest places.

To help paint the picture, let’s first establish some of the priciest places to live in North Carolina. Redfin’s data shows that the place with the highest home cost in 2025 is Highlands at a median price of $2,750,000, while even the 10th-highest option—Carrboro—comes in at $810,000. Yes, that’s a wide margin for the top 10, but North Carolina is also a chapter state, on average, than many others.

So, if you’re looking for something cheaper, check out these more affordable places to live in North Carolina this year. Your bank account might just thank you the next time that mortgage payment hits.

5. High Point

Raleigh-Cary might be one of the areas where millennials are buying the most homes in the U.S., but budget-savvy homebuyers should scope out High Point if they’re in the market for a locale that’s equally beautiful and affordable. According to Redfin’s most recent data, the median home price in High Point is $270,000, compared to Raleigh’s $440,000. Saving roughly $170,000 doesn’t sound too bad, eh? That could cut hundreds of dollars off your monthly mortgage payment!

High Point has an average competitive rating, indicating that securing a home shouldn’t be incredibly exhausting there. Some folks on Reddit have remarked that utilities are more expensive in High Point than in other areas, but with lower home prices, you might not feel any real financial strain. Plus, it’s a popular place, with more than 115,000 people calling it home, per 2023 U.S. Census data.

There’s also plenty to do in High Point, with some amazing restaurants with high ratings, like Odeh’s Mediterranean Kitchen and Biscuits Brisket and Beer, delighting taste buds citywide. Outside of restaurants, you wouldn’t want to miss witnessing the World’s Largest Chest of Drawers, would you? There’s even a beautiful park with a large lake—the aptly named City Lake Park—that’s perfect for warm-weather escapades.

High Point, NC. (Photo via Shutterstock)

4. Burlington

There’s a lot to do and see in Burlington—and we’re not talking about the Coat Factory. In Burlington, the median home price is $250,000, a whopping $20,000 less than High Point (via Redfin). That drop in price doesn’t mean Burlington has little to offer, however. With old homes and architecture that’s pleasing to the eye, as well as captivating nature views that you can’t find elsewhere, Burlington is a one-stop shop for small-town vibes without being too far from a bigger city (Greensboro is close by).

The demand for homes is slightly higher in Burlington than in High Point, perhaps in part due to its lower prices. Still, it sits at a medium score, and moving there shouldn’t prove to be particularly challenging. A positive note about Burlington is that a large majority of movers in 2025 have considered moving within the city, with only a small number seeking to relocate. This should indicate that people—of which there are about 60,000, per 2023 U.S. Census data—are happy in Burlington.

There’s plenty to do and see in Burlington. You can find many nature parks to explore, as well as lovely indoor options. For example, the city’s Textile Heritage Museum showcases fabrics and technologies that helped American textiles evolve since the country’s establishment. As far as restaurants are concerned, you can’t go amiss at Prego’s Trattorio, an Italian eatery that’s one of the highest-rated spots in the city on Google.

Burlington, NC. (Photo via Shutterstock)

3. Jacksonville

Jacksonville lands in spot three because of its relative affordability, though it’s not as much of a decrease in home costs compared to the large drop from spot five to spot four. According to Redfin, the median home price in Jacksonville is $245,000, just $5,000 less than Burlington. This city, which has a population of just over 73,500 people, according to 2023 U.S. Census data, has a very competitive housing market, likely due to its young demographic. Younger folks tend to move more because they can, and as a result, the homes here typically receive many offers before final sales are made.

Jacksonville’s population leans so young that it’s the “youngest city in the United States,” carrying “an average age of 22.8 years old,” per the city’s website. Why so young, you ask? Well, the Department of Defense has set up shop in the city, with the Marines and Air Force both having facilities in Jacksonville. With the military largely being composed of younger folks and even more younger people flocking here for opportunities, Jacksonville has become somewhat of a training ground for adulthood.

Because of the military’s presence in the city, Jacksonville has a few memorials you can visit to pay respects. There are also museums to learn at, as well as the Lynwood Park Zoo, where you can both see and feed animals. If you’re looking for fun after moving here, you can easily get to the Outer Banks for a serendipitous day under the sun. Don’t fret; there are standout restaurants here, too. Look no further than Lime & Lemon Indian Grill & Bar, which has an impressive 4.9-star Google rating and reviews that endlessly sing its praises.

Jacksonville, NC. (Photo via Shutterstock)

2. Fayetteville 

[Editor’s Note: A previous version of this post contained inaccuracies about the military presence in Fayetteville. It has been corrected.] 

Fayetteville is the largest city in the top five most affordable places to live in North Carolina in 2025. This city boasts almost 209,700 residents, per 2023 U.S. Census data, and the poverty rate has been on the decline in recent years. Where does that leave the median house cost? According to Redfin, Fayetteville’s average home price is $231,500, marking a decently sizable difference from Jacksonville.

Fayetteville has a less competitive market than Jacksonville, which may make it a more attractive option for prospective homebuyers. Like Jacksonville, Fayetteville has a significant military presence. Fort Bragg is the single largest military base by population in the world. This city is home to more families than single young folks, but that’s not to say that it’s not a great destination for young singles.

There’s a lot to do in Fayetteville, including many museums, military and otherwise. The Cape Fear Botanical Garden is a hotspot for nature enthusiasts and tourists alike, and the Cape Fear River Trail is perfect for anyone who loves to hike. You can’t forget the good grub, either. Gangnam Korean BBQ + Hotpot is one of the highest-rated restaurants in the area, as is the plant-based Vibe Gastropub.

Fayetteville, NC. (Shutterstock)

1. Rocky Mount 

Located in Eastern North Carolina, the mid-sized Rocky Mount has a population of over 144,000, according to 2023 U.S. Census data, and is the most affordable place to live in North Carolina in 2025—by far. Redfin’s real-estate data lists Rocky Mount’s median home price as $195,000. That’s nearly $40,000 less than the second most affordable city and hundreds of thousands of dollars under the national average, which is almost $441,000 (via Redfin). The price has dropped in recent years, while more and more homes have been sold. Surely that makes Rocky Mount a competitive market, right?

Not quite. Rocky Mount has one of the lowest market-competition ratings on this list, meaning it’s going to be easier to secure a home here than in other cities. This coincides with the median household income rising in recent years, which should indicate that Rocky Mount is on the up-and-up.

And there certainly is a lot to do here. For instance, the Imperial Centre for the Arts and Sciences is a great educational destination for folks of all ages; the facility even hosts special events throughout the year in addition to its everyday exhibits. As with the other cities on this list, there are excellent museums and nature parks to keep your mind and body active. The food scene is expanding here, too. Shawarmalicious has a near-perfect Google rating thanks to its perfectly seasoned dishes, while Barley and Burger keeps visitors’ taste buds engaged with various types of burgers and brews.

Rocky Mount, NC. (Shutterstock)

Ultimately, all five of these North Carolina locales are excellent cities to plant your roots. Each has its own unique charm, and a little research can set you on a path that may help shape the rest of your life (or at least the next few years).