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Home Affordability Calculator Raleigh, NC — 2026
Median home price in Raleigh: $430,000. At 6.5% on a 30-year loan with 20% down, the estimated total monthly payment (PITI) is $2,622 — requiring $112,371/year in gross income. Enter your income below for a personalised estimate.
Reviewed for accuracy June 2026 by Gary Sing
Median home price
$430,000
Income needed (annual)
$112,371
Est. monthly PITI
$2,622
Property tax/month
$287
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How much house can you afford in Raleigh at your salary?
Maximum home price at each income level: 6.5% rate, 30-year term, 20% down payment, no existing debt. Property tax (0.8%) and insurance (0.45%) included in the 28% front-end DTI budget.
| Annual income | Max home price | Max monthly budget | Affords Raleigh median? |
|---|---|---|---|
| $50,000 | $191,305 | $1,167/mo | ✗ No |
| $75,000 | $286,957 | $1,750/mo | ✗ No |
| $100,000 | $382,610 | $2,333/mo | ✗ No |
| $125,000 | $478,262 | $2,917/mo | ✓ Yes |
| $150,000 | $573,915 | $3,500/mo | ✓ Yes |
| $175,000 | $669,567 | $4,083/mo | ✓ Yes |
| $200,000 | $765,220 | $4,667/mo | ✓ Yes |
Assumes 20% down, 6.5% rate, 30-year term, zero existing monthly debt. Property tax at 0.8% effective rate; insurance estimated at 0.45% annually. PMI required below 20% down — not included here.
Monthly payment breakdown on the median Raleigh home
$430,000 purchase price with 20% down ($86,000) at 6.5% on a 30-year loan.
Principal & interest (30yr)
$2,174/month on a $344,000 loan at 6.5% over 30 years. Total interest paid over the life of the loan: $438,640.
Property tax (0.8% effective rate)
$287/month ($3,444/year). North Carolina's effective property tax rate of approximately 0.80% is below the national average — one of Raleigh's key competitive advantages relative to similarly-priced Northeast or Midwest markets. On a $430,000 home, property taxes add approximately $287/month.
Homeowners insurance (est.)
$161/month estimated at 0.45% of home value annually. Rates vary significantly by coverage level, age of home, and local risk factors — always get quotes before closing.
Total PITI (monthly)
$2,622/month estimated. Income needed to keep this under 28% of gross monthly income: $112,371/year.
Raleigh housing market 2026
Raleigh–Durham is the largest fast-growth metro in the Southeast, anchored by Research Triangle Park's pharma and tech employers. Apple, Google, and Meta have made major investment commitments in the area. North Hills and Five Points command premiums; Cary, Holly Springs, and Apex are primary suburban markets with strong fundamentals.
Key numbers for Raleigh buyers
- Median home price: $430,000 (2026 estimate)
- 20% down payment: $86,000
- Loan amount (80% LTV): $344,000
- Monthly P&I at 6.5% / 30yr: $2,174
- Monthly P&I at 6.5% / 15yr: $2,997
- Est. PITI (P&I + tax + insurance): $2,622/month
- Income needed (28% front-end DTI): $112,371/year
Compare home affordability by city
📍 Los Angeles, CA
Median $900,000 · income needed $244,543/yr · 1.09% tax
📍 Chicago, IL
Median $330,000 · income needed $101,614/yr · 2.1% tax
📍 Houston, TX
Median $290,000 · income needed $89,143/yr · 2.09% tax
📍 Phoenix, AZ
Median $400,000 · income needed $102,429/yr · 0.65% tax
📍 Miami, FL
Median $580,000 · income needed $155,143/yr · 0.97% tax
📍 Seattle, WA
Median $740,000 · income needed $195,257/yr · 0.87% tax
📍 Denver, CO
Median $560,000 · income needed $141,171/yr · 0.54% tax
📍 Austin, TX
Median $525,000 · income needed $161,614/yr · 2.1% tax
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Home affordability Raleigh — frequently asked questions
How much house can I afford in Raleigh?
On a $100,000 annual income with no other debt, 20% down, and a 6.5% 30-year mortgage, you can afford approximately $382,610 in Raleigh. The median home price in Raleigh is $430,000, which requires approximately $112,371/year in gross income using the 28% front-end DTI rule (principal, interest, property tax, and insurance all within 28% of gross monthly income).
What income do I need to buy a home in Raleigh?
To afford Raleigh's median home price of $430,000 at 6.5% on a 30-year loan with 20% down, you need approximately $112,371/year in gross income. This assumes the full PITI payment of $2,622/month (P&I $2,174 + property tax $287 + insurance $161) stays within 28% of gross monthly income. Existing debts reduce this buying power further.
What is the median home price in Raleigh in 2026?
The estimated median home price in Raleigh in 2026 is approximately $430,000. This varies significantly by neighbourhood — enter the specific purchase price you are evaluating in the calculator above for a personalised estimate.
What are property taxes in Raleigh?
Raleigh, NC's effective property tax rate is approximately 0.8%. On a $430,000 home, that is roughly $287/month or $3,444/year in property taxes. North Carolina's effective property tax rate of approximately 0.80% is below the national average — one of Raleigh's key competitive advantages relative to similarly-priced Northeast or Midwest markets. On a $430,000 home, property taxes add approximately $287/month.
Is Raleigh affordable to buy in 2026?
Raleigh's median home price of $430,000 requires an annual gross income of approximately $112,371 to qualify under the 28% front-end DTI rule at 6.5% with 20% down. The estimated total monthly payment (PITI) is $2,622/month. Raleigh–Durham is the largest fast-growth metro in the Southeast, anchored by Research Triangle Park's pharma and tech employers.