North Carolina Property Taxes
Property tax rates for all 100 counties.
U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2019-2023Average Annual Tax
$1,502
Average Rate
0.64%
Average Home Value
$235,312
County tax atlas
North Carolina property tax burden by county
Compare effective tax rates, median annual bills, home values, and tax scores in one state-scaled map. Pin any county, switch layers, then use the lens controls to isolate low-rate counties, high-tax clusters, or higher-value markets with moderate tax burden.
Counties
100/100
Avg rate
0.64%
Avg bill
$1,502
Avg home
$235,312
Atlas layers use U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates. Effective tax rate is median real estate taxes paid divided by median home value. These estimates are for comparison and planning context, not property-specific tax advice.
At a Glance
Average Annual Tax
$1,502
National avg $2,690
Average Effective Rate
0.64%Medium
Based on median tax / median home value
Average Home Value
$235,312
National avg $281,900
Counties
100
Browse all counties below
North Carolina Property Tax Calculator
Estimate your property tax for any county in North Carolina. Select a county and enter your home value.
Select a county above to estimate your North Carolina property tax.
Estimates based on U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates. Actual taxes vary by exemptions, assessments, and local levies.
State Overview
Property Taxes in North Carolina
North Carolina taxes property lightly
North Carolina's effective property tax rate averages 0.701%, nearly one-third lower than the national median of 1.03%, ranking it among the 15 most tax-friendly states in the nation. This means homeowners here keep more of their wealth sheltered from property taxes compared to the typical American household. The state's low-tax environment reflects a deliberate policy choice that shapes the state's economic competitiveness.
Wide variation splits the state in two
Effective tax rates range from 0.369% in Jackson County to 1.206% in Northampton County—a more than threefold difference that reflects the state's diverse county-level policies. Even within the "low tax" label, some counties like Orange County collect median taxes of $4,105 while others like Hyde County collect just $753, revealing stark disparities in tax burden despite the statewide average. This variation means a homeowner's tax bill depends heavily on which county line they live on.
Typical NC homeowners pay $1,433 annually
The median North Carolina homeowner lives in a $214,164 home and pays roughly $1,433 per year in property taxes—less than half the national median tax bill of $2,690. This affordability advantage compounds over time: a homeowner staying 20 years saves roughly $25,140 in property taxes compared to the national average. For middle-class families, North Carolina's low effective rate translates directly into lower housing costs and more disposable income.
Research Triangle and coastal counties diverge
Metro areas like Wake County ($3,023 median tax) and Durham County ($2,951) carry steeper tax bills than rural counties, driven by higher home values and stronger property valuations in growth corridors. The Research Triangle's three-county cluster (Wake, Durham, Orange) consistently ranks highest, while eastern rural counties like Hyde, Bertie, and Robeson stay below $800 median taxes. This pattern mirrors national trends where economic dynamism and development raise both property values and absolute tax bills, even when effective rates stay modest.
North Carolina offers genuine tax relief
North Carolina is a legitimately low-tax state for property owners, with an effective rate 32% below the national median and median bills half what Americans typically pay. The biggest winners are middle-class homeowners in slower-growth counties where effective rates often dip below 0.7%, though even affluent Wake County residents pay significantly less than their peers nationwide. If property tax burden factors into your housing decision, North Carolina's baseline advantage holds across nearly every county in the state.
Highest Property Tax Rates
All North Carolina Counties
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Data updated: March 2026
Data from U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates. Effective tax rate is calculated as median property tax divided by median home value.
Estimates are informational only and are not tax, legal, financial, or assessment appeal advice. Verify parcel-specific amounts with the county assessor or tax collector.