Swain County, North Carolina Housing Market
In Swain County, North Carolina, the median home value is $207,000, with a median monthly rent of $742. This places Swain County at #1333 nationally out of 3134 counties by median home value, and #58 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: $773
- Establishments: 444
- BLS QCEW, 2025
Housing Supply
- Single-family: 84
- Multi-family: 10
- U.S. Census Bureau, Building Permits Survey
Migration Patterns
- Inflow: 7,004 (avg $54,857)
- Outflow: 6,604 (avg $53,776)
- IRS Statistics of Income
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💰 Mortgage Guide → 🧾 Property Tax Data →How Swain County Compares
| Metric | Swain County | North Carolina Average | U.S. Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home Value | $207,000 | $235,312 | $227,706 |
| Median Gross Rent | $742 | $976 | $968 |
| Owner Occupancy Rate | 72.7% | 71.8% | 73.3% |
| Price/Rent Ratio | 23.2 | 19.8 | 18.7 |
Market Analysis
The median home value in Swain County is 12.0% below the North Carolina state average and 9.1% below the U.S. national average. The median rent of $742/month is 24.0% below the state average.
With a price-to-rent ratio of 23.2, renting is generally more cost-effective than buying in the short to medium term. The market favors buyers only for long-term holds.
Swain County has an owner-occupancy rate of 72.7%, 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Autauga County | Alabama | $207,200 | $1,263 |
| White County | Tennessee | $207,200 | $849 |
| Jackson County | Kansas | $207,300 | $814 |
| Bath County | Virginia | $206,700 | $736 |
| Van Buren County | Michigan | $206,500 | $870 |
Other Counties in North Carolina
| County | Median Home Value | Median Rent | Owner Occ. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pitt County | $208,900 | $993 | 51.4% |
| Alexander County | $211,800 | $764 | 80.7% |
| Rutherford County | $201,800 | $783 | 73.9% |
| Person County | $213,900 | $864 | 77.3% |
| Cleveland County | $200,000 | $914 | 70.9% |
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).