Columbus County, North Carolina Housing Market
In Columbus County, North Carolina, the median home value is $146,000, with a median monthly rent of $824. This places Columbus County at #2297 nationally out of 3134 counties by median home value, and #84 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: $897
- Establishments: 1,079
- BLS QCEW, 2025
Housing Supply
- Single-family: 55
- Multi-family: 0
- U.S. Census Bureau, Building Permits Survey
Migration Patterns
- Inflow: 18,350 (avg $53,445)
- Outflow: 17,470 (avg $53,937)
- IRS Statistics of Income
📍 Sub-Market Activity
Top 1 active ZIP codes in Columbus County · Latest: 2025
| # | ZIP Code | HPI | YoY Change | Latest Year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 28472 | 196.5 | +17.67% | 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.
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💰 Mortgage Guide → 🧾 Property Tax Data →How Columbus County Compares
| Metric | Columbus County | North Carolina Average | U.S. Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home Value | $146,000 | $235,312 | $227,706 |
| Median Gross Rent | $824 | $976 | $968 |
| Owner Occupancy Rate | 71.1% | 71.8% | 73.3% |
| Price/Rent Ratio | 14.8 | 19.8 | 18.7 |
Market Analysis
The median home value in Columbus County is 38.0% below the North Carolina state average and 35.9% below the U.S. national average. The median rent of $824/month is 15.6% below the state average.
With a price-to-rent ratio of 14.8, buying a home in Columbus County is generally more favorable than renting for those planning to stay long-term. A ratio below 15 typically signals that purchasing is financially advantageous over a multi-year horizon.
Columbus County has an owner-occupancy rate of 71.1%, compared to 71.8% in North Carolina and 73.3% nationally. This indicates a more renter-heavy market than the U.S. average.
Similar Counties by Home Value
| County | State | Median Home Value | Median Rent |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hart County | Kentucky | $146,000 | $693 |
| Pike County | Missouri | $146,000 | $778 |
| Worth County | Iowa | $145,800 | $758 |
| Ballard County | Kentucky | $145,800 | $817 |
| Harlan County | Nebraska | $145,800 | $657 |
Other Counties in North Carolina
| County | Median Home Value | Median Rent | Owner Occ. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Anson County | $148,600 | $814 | 68.5% |
| Sampson County | $150,700 | $834 | 73.8% |
| Warren County | $154,200 | $790 | 69.4% |
| Duplin County | $137,400 | $865 | 70.3% |
| Bladen County | $135,100 | $773 | 69.2% |
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 2026-10-14. The price-to-rent ratio is calculated as Median Home Value ÷ (Median Monthly Rent × 12).