Onslow County, North Carolina Housing Market
In Onslow County, North Carolina, the median home value is $236,400, with a median monthly rent of $1,265. This places Onslow County at #1022 nationally out of 3134 counties by median home value, and #44 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: $859
- Establishments: 4,098
- BLS QCEW, 2025
Housing Supply
- Single-family: 1,318
- Multi-family: 54
- U.S. Census Bureau, Building Permits Survey
Migration Patterns
- Inflow: 77,558 (avg $59,151)
- Outflow: 66,521 (avg $60,041)
- IRS Statistics of Income
📍 Sub-Market Activity
Top 5 active ZIP codes in Onslow County · Latest: 2025
| # | ZIP Code | HPI | YoY Change | Latest Year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 28540 | 267.5 | +8.05% | 2025 |
| 2 | 28460 | 419.5 | -0.64% | 2025 |
| 3 | 28546 | 256.6 | +4.06% | 2025 |
| 4 | 28539 | 279.5 | -1.46% | 2025 |
| 5 | 28445 | 402.7 | +2.22% | 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.
🔗 Explore Onslow County on Our Sister Sites
Get the complete picture for Onslow County — financing options and ongoing ownership costs.
💰 Mortgage Guide → 🧾 Property Tax Data →How Onslow County Compares
| Metric | Onslow County | North Carolina Average | U.S. Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home Value | $236,400 | $235,312 | $227,706 |
| Median Gross Rent | $1,265 | $976 | $968 |
| Owner Occupancy Rate | 63.7% | 71.8% | 73.3% |
| Price/Rent Ratio | 15.6 | 19.8 | 18.7 |
Market Analysis
The median home value in Onslow County is about equal to the North Carolina state average and 3.8% above the U.S. national average. The median rent of $1,265/month is 29.6% above the state average.
With a price-to-rent ratio of 15.6, the buy-vs-rent decision in Onslow County is balanced. Whether buying or renting makes more sense depends on your time horizon, down payment capacity, and local market conditions.
Onslow County has an owner-occupancy rate of 63.7%, 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Perry County | Pennsylvania | $236,400 | $874 |
| Dauphin County | Pennsylvania | $236,400 | $1,217 |
| Sawyer County | Wisconsin | $236,200 | $712 |
| Fergus County | Montana | $236,100 | $954 |
| Franklin County | Tennessee | $236,900 | $894 |
Other Counties in North Carolina
| County | Median Home Value | Median Rent | Owner Occ. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chowan County | $235,800 | $681 | 70.5% |
| Pasquotank County | $234,600 | $1,170 | 67.5% |
| Rowan County | $238,400 | $1,013 | 72.3% |
| Lee County | $240,200 | $1,017 | 67.3% |
| Cherokee County | $232,300 | $813 | 83.7% |
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).