What your paycheck buys · Updated every Friday
What a paycheck buys in North Carolina this week
A median North Carolina household earning $80,250 Median household income (North Carolina, current dollars) U.S. Census Bureau · 2025 Annual release · FRED MEHOINUSNCA646N ↗ a year can afford a home of about $253,000 at this week’s 7.32% 30-year fixed mortgage rate (U.S. average) Freddie Mac Primary Mortgage Market Survey · week of Oct 22, 2026 Weekly release · FRED MORTGAGE30US ↗ average 30-year rate. The median North Carolina listing is $400,000 Median list price (North Carolina) Realtor.com · September 2026 Monthly release · FRED MEDLISPRINC ↗ , which would take 44.2% of that household’s gross income, against the usual 28% ceiling.
Compared with a year ago
A year ago, with the 30-year rate at 6.19%, a median list price of $418,939 and median income of $66,850 (2024 figure), the same household could afford about $232,000 and the median listing took 50.5% of income. Affordability in North Carolina has improved since then.
Nearby in the ranking
- #26 Georgia: can afford $259,000, median listing $390,000
- #27 Delaware: can afford $315,000, median listing $485,000
- #29 New Jersey: can afford $352,000, median listing $560,000
- #30 Mississippi: can afford $183,000, median listing $292,000
North Carolina housing market report → · North Carolina brokerage directory → · Run your own numbers →
How this is calculated: 28% of gross monthly income for housing, 10% down, a 30-year fixed loan at Freddie Mac’s weekly average, and 1.45% of the price a year for taxes and insurance. Full method, caveats, and sources on the main index page. An educational gauge, not a mortgage quote.