McDowell County, North Carolina Housing Market
In McDowell County, North Carolina, the median home value is $171,100, with a median monthly rent of $806. This places McDowell County at #1782 nationally out of 3134 counties by median home value, and #72 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: $923
- Establishments: 893
- BLS QCEW, 2025
Housing Supply
- Single-family: 164
- Multi-family: 0
- U.S. Census Bureau, Building Permits Survey
Migration Patterns
- Inflow: 17,292 (avg $58,212)
- Outflow: 16,228 (avg $56,547)
- IRS Statistics of Income
📍 Sub-Market Activity
Top 1 active ZIP codes in McDowell County · Latest: 2025
| # | ZIP Code | HPI | YoY Change | Latest Year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 28752 | 278.8 | +0.35% | 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 McDowell County Compares
| Metric | McDowell County | North Carolina Average | U.S. Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home Value | $171,100 | $235,312 | $227,706 |
| Median Gross Rent | $806 | $976 | $968 |
| Owner Occupancy Rate | 75.6% | 71.8% | 73.3% |
| Price/Rent Ratio | 17.7 | 19.8 | 18.7 |
Market Analysis
The median home value in McDowell County is 27.3% below the North Carolina state average and 24.9% below the U.S. national average. The median rent of $806/month is 17.4% below the state average.
With a price-to-rent ratio of 17.7, the buy-vs-rent decision in McDowell County is balanced. Whether buying or renting makes more sense depends on your time horizon, down payment capacity, and local market conditions.
McDowell County has an owner-occupancy rate of 75.6%, 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Freeborn County | Minnesota | $171,100 | $849 |
| Colbert County | Alabama | $171,000 | $887 |
| Washington County | Florida | $171,000 | $888 |
| Curry County | New Mexico | $171,200 | $1,024 |
| Cayuga County | New York | $171,000 | $942 |
Other Counties in North Carolina
| County | Median Home Value | Median Rent | Owner Occ. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gates County | $170,800 | $1,143 | 80.9% |
| Graham County | $170,600 | $676 | 80.7% |
| Wilkes County | $168,800 | $723 | 73.5% |
| Rockingham County | $168,600 | $810 | 72.1% |
| Surry County | $177,600 | $761 | 73.4% |
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).