Lee County, North Carolina Housing Market
In Lee County, North Carolina, the median home value is $240,200, with a median monthly rent of $1,017. This places Lee County at #981 nationally out of 3134 counties by median home value, and #42 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: $1,166
- Establishments: 1,694
- BLS QCEW, 2025
Housing Supply
- Single-family: 674
- Multi-family: 0
- U.S. Census Bureau, Building Permits Survey
Migration Patterns
- Inflow: 25,569 (avg $77,410)
- Outflow: 23,044 (avg $73,886)
- IRS Statistics of Income
💰 Ready to Finance a Purchase?
See the 2026 FHA and conforming loan limits for Lee County, plus monthly payment estimates at today's mortgage rates.
View Mortgage Guide for Lee County →How Lee County Compares
| Metric | Lee County | North Carolina Average | U.S. Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home Value | $240,200 | $235,312 | $227,706 |
| Median Gross Rent | $1,017 | $976 | $968 |
| Owner Occupancy Rate | 67.3% | 71.8% | 73.3% |
| Price/Rent Ratio | 19.7 | 19.8 | 18.7 |
Market Analysis
The median home value in Lee County is 2.1% above the North Carolina state average and 5.5% above the U.S. national average. The median rent of $1,017/month is 4.2% above the state average.
With a price-to-rent ratio of 19.7, the buy-vs-rent decision in Lee County is balanced. Whether buying or renting makes more sense depends on your time horizon, down payment capacity, and local market conditions.
Lee County has an owner-occupancy rate of 67.3%, 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Union County | Pennsylvania | $240,100 | $974 |
| Jefferson County | Alabama | $240,000 | $1,193 |
| Morrow County | Oregon | $240,400 | $995 |
| Cooke County | Texas | $240,400 | $1,047 |
| Franklin County | Virginia | $240,400 | $829 |
Other Counties in North Carolina
| County | Median Home Value | Median Rent | Owner Occ. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alamance County | $241,500 | $1,064 | 65.0% |
| Catawba County | $241,600 | $965 | 72.2% |
| Rowan County | $238,400 | $1,013 | 72.3% |
| Stanly County | $242,400 | $861 | 74.5% |
| Yancey County | $243,100 | $882 | 79.4% |
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).