North Carolina · Property Tax & Closing Costs

North Carolina property tax by county

Property tax rates, median home values, and closing cost estimates for all 100 counties in North Carolina. The average effective rate across the state is 0.67%, ranking North Carolina 32 of 51 (below-average property taxes). Data is sourced from the US Census Bureau American Community Survey 2024 5-year estimates.

Average rate

0.67%

across 100 counties

National rank

#32

of 51, highest rate first

Median home value

$219,700

county median in state

Rate range

0.34%–1.15%

Jackson County → Halifax County

Same home, different county

On a $219,700 home (the typical county median in North Carolina), the annual property tax bill depends heavily on where you buy:

Lowest-rate county

$754/yr

Jackson County at 0.34%

Highest-rate county

$2,516/yr

Halifax County at 1.15%

Difference

$1,762/yr

$147/mo · $17,620 over 10 years

Estimate: purchase price × each county's effective rate. Actual bills depend on assessed value, local levies, and exemptions.

Lowest property tax rates in North Carolina

The five North Carolina counties with the lowest effective property tax rates, useful for buyers comparing total cost of ownership across the state.

County	Rate	Median home	Median taxes
Jackson County	0.34%	$284,700	$976
Avery County	0.38%	$265,800	$1,010
Watauga County	0.39%	$358,900	$1,386
Swain County	0.41%	$207,000	$859
Clay County	0.43%	$278,400	$1,186

Highest property tax rates in North Carolina

The five North Carolinacounties with the highest effective property tax rates. High rates often reflect strong school district funding or municipal services rather than weakness, but they materially change a buyer's monthly carrying cost.

County	Rate	Median home	Median taxes
Halifax County	1.15%	$106,200	$1,216
Northampton County	1.08%	$114,500	$1,239
Martin County	1.06%	$109,700	$1,168
Edgecombe County	1.04%	$125,100	$1,306
Washington County	0.99%	$125,900	$1,252

North Carolina real estate transfer tax

North Carolina charges a combined transfer tax of about 0.20% of the purchase price. On a $219,700 home, that is roughly $439 in total.

Paid by	Rate	On $219,700
Buyer	0.00%	$0
Seller	0.20%	$439

Excise Stamp Tax on Conveyances $1.00/$500 (0.2%) statewide, seller-paid per Article 8E Chapter 105. Seven coastal counties (Camden, Chowan, Currituck, Dare, Pasquotank, Perquimans, Washington) are authorized to levy an additional Land Transfer Tax of up to 1% (seller).

Official North Carolina source → · Verified April 2026

Closing costs in North Carolina

Across North Carolina's 100 counties, buyer closing costs run $2,640 to $9,661 at each county's median home value with 20% down. Cash needed at closing, with closing costs and the down payment, runs $21,540 to $101,714. Pick your county for your own figures.

North Carolina closing cost calculator

North Carolina property tax exemptions

Ways buyers in North Carolina may reduce their annual property tax. These programs apply statewide; verify county specifics with your local assessor.

Senior

Elderly or Disabled Homestead Exclusion

Excludes the greater of $25,000 or 50% of the appraised value of a primary residence for owners 65+ or totally and permanently disabled with 2025 income at or below $38,800.

View official source →

Veteran

Disabled Veterans Homestead Exclusion

Excludes first $45,000 of appraised value for veterans with 100% permanent & total service-connected disability (or receiving specially adapted housing benefits). Legislation raises to $75,000 for years beginning on/after July 1, 2025.

View official source →

Other

Circuit Breaker Tax Deferment

Limits property tax on a primary residence to a percentage of income (4-5%) for qualifying owners 65+ or disabled, deferring the remainder until a disqualifying event.

View official source →

Last verified April 2026. Exemption amounts and eligibility change frequently. Always confirm with your county assessor before claiming.

All 100 counties in North Carolina

Effective property tax rate, median home value, and median annual taxes paid for every county in North Carolina. Click a county to open its full property tax calculator and closing cost breakdown.

County	Rate	Median home	Median taxes
Alamance County	0.62%	$241,500	$1,494
Alexander County	0.60%	$211,800	$1,269
Alleghany County	0.57%	$214,800	$1,217
Anson County	0.77%	$148,600	$1,141
Ashe County	0.49%	$243,100	$1,190
Avery County	0.38%	$265,800	$1,010
Beaufort County	0.68%	$192,700	$1,300
Bertie County	0.79%	$98,500	$778
Bladen County	0.91%	$135,100	$1,227
Brunswick County	0.54%	$349,800	$1,890
Buncombe County	0.57%	$391,800	$2,222
Burke County	0.68%	$185,400	$1,253
Cabarrus County	0.73%	$354,800	$2,586
Caldwell County	0.60%	$192,200	$1,150
Camden County	0.58%	$337,100	$1,952
Carteret County	0.43%	$333,300	$1,423
Caswell County	0.69%	$164,500	$1,140
Catawba County	0.58%	$241,600	$1,407
Chatham County	0.64%	$446,200	$2,847
Cherokee County	0.46%	$232,300	$1,064
Chowan County	0.71%	$235,800	$1,677
Clay County	0.43%	$278,400	$1,186
Cleveland County	0.64%	$200,000	$1,286
Columbus County	0.77%	$146,000	$1,120
Craven County	0.63%	$231,600	$1,450
Cumberland County	0.93%	$199,200	$1,850
Currituck County	0.46%	$378,800	$1,760
Dare County	0.52%	$460,400	$2,391
Davidson County	0.60%	$219,100	$1,320
Davie County	0.63%	$253,900	$1,595
Duplin County	0.69%	$137,400	$950
Durham County	0.79%	$389,400	$3,092
Edgecombe County	1.04%	$125,100	$1,306
Forsyth County	0.79%	$250,400	$1,984
Franklin County	0.65%	$284,300	$1,834
Gaston County	0.74%	$266,000	$1,982
Gates County	0.76%	$170,800	$1,296
Graham County	0.57%	$170,600	$979
Granville County	0.67%	$247,700	$1,664
Greene County	0.89%	$117,400	$1,041
Guilford County	0.84%	$259,900	$2,174
Halifax County	1.15%	$106,200	$1,216
Harnett County	0.69%	$246,200	$1,689
Haywood County	0.57%	$279,200	$1,583
Henderson County	0.52%	$351,400	$1,810
Hertford County	0.98%	$119,200	$1,168
Hoke County	0.67%	$219,300	$1,465
Hyde County	0.79%	$124,000	$975
Iredell County	0.61%	$321,400	$1,952
Jackson County	0.34%	$284,700	$976
Johnston County	0.62%	$305,600	$1,908
Jones County	0.74%	$130,300	$964
Lee County	0.74%	$240,200	$1,785
Lenoir County	0.84%	$120,500	$1,015
Lincoln County	0.58%	$321,000	$1,856
Macon County	0.43%	$251,900	$1,074
Madison County	0.48%	$284,600	$1,362
Martin County	1.06%	$109,700	$1,168
McDowell County	0.53%	$171,100	$911
Mecklenburg County	0.71%	$406,800	$2,890
Mitchell County	0.52%	$220,100	$1,141
Montgomery County	0.64%	$161,700	$1,037
Moore County	0.53%	$351,400	$1,849
Nash County	0.71%	$191,000	$1,362
New Hanover County	0.54%	$387,800	$2,105
Northampton County	1.08%	$114,500	$1,239
Onslow County	0.64%	$236,400	$1,502
Orange County	0.91%	$459,500	$4,162
Pamlico County	0.56%	$216,800	$1,218
Pasquotank County	0.67%	$234,600	$1,573
Pender County	0.63%	$299,000	$1,883
Perquimans County	0.59%	$231,700	$1,375
Person County	0.62%	$213,900	$1,328
Pitt County	0.83%	$208,900	$1,734
Polk County	0.54%	$315,000	$1,697
Randolph County	0.67%	$197,100	$1,324
Richmond County	0.89%	$127,800	$1,138
Robeson County	0.87%	$94,500	$820
Rockingham County	0.75%	$168,600	$1,258
Rowan County	0.65%	$238,400	$1,554
Rutherford County	0.58%	$201,800	$1,178
Sampson County	0.75%	$150,700	$1,130
Scotland County	0.93%	$114,900	$1,068
Stanly County	0.57%	$242,400	$1,385
Stokes County	0.60%	$196,700	$1,179
Surry County	0.60%	$177,600	$1,071
Swain County	0.41%	$207,000	$859
Transylvania County	0.45%	$373,600	$1,674
Tyrrell County	0.81%	$164,500	$1,331
Union County	0.57%	$417,300	$2,396
Vance County	0.78%	$161,500	$1,256
Wake County	0.71%	$461,300	$3,260
Warren County	0.71%	$154,200	$1,093
Washington County	0.99%	$125,900	$1,252
Watauga County	0.39%	$358,900	$1,386
Wayne County	0.70%	$178,700	$1,249
Wilkes County	0.59%	$168,800	$1,002
Wilson County	0.79%	$186,000	$1,471
Yadkin County	0.67%	$181,200	$1,220
Yancey County	0.48%	$243,100	$1,157

Source: US Census Bureau American Community Survey 2024 5-year estimates, tables B25077 (median home value) and B25103 (median real estate taxes paid). Effective rate is computed as median taxes paid divided by median home value at the county level and represents the typical owner-occupied home. Actual bills vary by purchase price, exemptions, and special assessments.