Burke County, North Carolina Housing Market
In Burke County, North Carolina, the median home value is $185,400, with a median monthly rent of $884. This places Burke County at #1566 nationally out of 3134 counties by median home value, and #68 within North Carolina.
📈 Price Trend (2017 → 2024)
📊 Recent Market Momentum (FHFA HPI)
FHFA House Price Index — All-Transactions, Annual (2000 = 100) · Latest: 2025
📍 Economic Snapshot
Employment & Wages
- Avg weekly wage: $964
- Establishments: 1,644
- BLS QCEW, 2025
Housing Supply
- Single-family: 479
- Multi-family: 109
- U.S. Census Bureau, Building Permits Survey
Migration Patterns
- Inflow: 34,241 (avg $61,043)
- Outflow: 32,569 (avg $60,467)
- IRS Statistics of Income
📍 Sub-Market Activity
Top 7 active ZIP codes in Burke County · Latest: 2025
| # | ZIP Code | HPI | YoY Change | Latest Year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 28612 | 217.9 | +24.37% | 2025 |
| 2 | 28168 | 248.0 | -9.48% | 2025 |
| 3 | 28090 | 231.4 | -3.35% | 2025 |
| 4 | 28602 | 244.2 | +1.76% | 2025 |
| 5 | 28690 | 231.1 | +0.65% | 2025 |
| 6 | 28645 | 232.7 | +2.32% | 2025 |
| 7 | 28655 | 240.2 | +2.53% | 2025 |
Source: FHFA HPI for Five-Digit ZIP Codes (All-Transactions Index, 2000 = 100).
This product uses FHFA Data but is neither endorsed nor certified by FHFA.
How Burke County Compares
| Metric | Burke County | North Carolina Average | U.S. Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home Value | $185,400 | $235,312 | $227,706 |
| Median Gross Rent | $884 | $976 | $968 |
| Owner Occupancy Rate | 74.5% | 71.8% | 73.3% |
| Price/Rent Ratio | 17.5 | 19.8 | 18.7 |
Market Analysis
The median home value in Burke County is 21.2% below the North Carolina state average and 18.6% below the U.S. national average. The median rent of $884/month is 9.4% below the state average.
With a price-to-rent ratio of 17.5, the buy-vs-rent decision in Burke County is balanced. Whether buying or renting makes more sense depends on your time horizon, down payment capacity, and local market conditions.
Burke County has an owner-occupancy rate of 74.5%, compared to 71.8% in North Carolina and 73.3% nationally. This indicates a more homeowner-heavy market than the U.S. average.
Similar Counties by Home Value
| County | State | Median Home Value | Median Rent |
|---|---|---|---|
| Murray County | Minnesota | $185,400 | $810 |
| Tuscarawas County | Ohio | $185,400 | $908 |
| Menard County | Illinois | $185,500 | $885 |
| Montcalm County | Michigan | $185,500 | $869 |
| Dawson County | Montana | $185,300 | $815 |
Other Counties in North Carolina
| County | Median Home Value | Median Rent | Owner Occ. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wilson County | $186,000 | $953 | 60.0% |
| Yadkin County | $181,200 | $766 | 76.9% |
| Nash County | $191,000 | $953 | 63.6% |
| Wayne County | $178,700 | $965 | 61.5% |
| Caldwell County | $192,200 | $744 | 73.5% |
Data Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey (ACS) 2024 5-Year Estimates (2017–2024). Variables: B25077 (Median Home Value), B25064 (Median Gross Rent), B25003 (Tenure). Data collected on 2026-10-13. The price-to-rent ratio is calculated as Median Home Value ÷ (Median Monthly Rent × 12).