North Carolina · Property Tax

North Carolina Property Tax by County

North Carolina has counties operating under a moderate-tax system. Effective property tax rates run ~0.82% statewide median — slightly below the national average, with significant variation between fast-growing metros and rural areas.

Why move here

Research Triangle (Raleigh-Durham-Chapel Hill) tech + biotech employment
Charlotte banking + financial center
mountain (Asheville) and coast (Outer Banks) options
milder climate than northern states
$25,000 Elderly/Disabled Exclusion
no estate tax
strong public university system (UNC, NC State, Duke nearby)

Why not move here

rates rising in fast-growing metros
hurricane risk on the coast
traffic in growth corridors (especially Triangle + Charlotte)
rural-urban service divide
slower wage growth in eastern NC

This almanac covers 23 of 100 North Carolina counties.

Average effective rate

0.83%

Tax bill ÷ market value · Across 23 covered North Carolina counties

National rank

#31 of 50

Ranked highest to lowest by rate · #20 from the lowest

Average annual bill

$2,267

On a typical $279,870 North Carolina home

State income tax

3.99%

Flat rate · applies to all income · Final phasedown step to 3.99% effective 2026

Cheapest county we cover

Brunswick

Bolivia · 0.50% effective rate

For retirees

Compare relief

Check eligibility, covered levies and payment timing.

For disabled veterans

Check benefits

Distinguish value exemptions from a full covered-tax exemption.

23 of 100 North Carolina counties covered

Charlotte · pop. 1.1M

0.90% effective rate

$3.2k median bill

Guilford County

Greensboro · pop. 545k

1.40% effective rate

$3.0k median bill

Forsyth County

Winston-Salem · pop. 385k

1.05% effective rate

$2.2k median bill

Cumberland County

Fayetteville · pop. 336k

Asheville · pop. 270k

Wilmington · pop. 239k

Smithfield · pop. 220k

0.74% effective rate

$2.3k median bill

Onslow County

Jacksonville · pop. 210k

Lillington · pop. 140k

0.83% effective rate

$1.9k median bill

Henderson County

Hendersonville · pop. 120k

0.55% effective rate

$1.9k median bill

Robeson County

Lumberton · pop. 115k

Waynesville · pop. 62k

About this site's data and estimates. The Property Tax Almanac is an independent editorial reference. It is not affiliated with any government agency, tax assessor, or tax preparation service. The calculators and data on this site are informational and are not a substitute for advice from a qualified tax professional, attorney, or your official county assessor or appraisal district.

Accuracy, sources, and scope. Source years and review coverage vary. A record’s update date is not confirmation of its tax year. Reviewed guides identify their official sources and calculation limits; other records may have incomplete source documentation. See our methodology and review process.

How to use these estimates. Read the scope of each tool: it may use a representative district, a historical rate, or hypothetical inputs. County benchmarks are not a parcel-specific tax quote. Confirm the taxable value, taxing districts, applicable year, exemptions and additional charges with the responsible local office before relying on an estimate.

No legal or tax advice; no warranty. Nothing on this site constitutes legal, tax, financial, investment, or real estate advice. The Property Tax Almanac, its authors, and its publisher make no representations or warranties of any kind, express or implied, about the completeness, accuracy, reliability, suitability, or availability of the content on this site. Any reliance you place on the information is strictly at your own risk. We are not liable for any loss or damage — including without limitation, indirect or consequential loss or damage — arising from the use of this site or from decisions made based on its content.

Found an error? Property tax rules are complex and change often. If you spot an inaccuracy, please use our correction instructions — corrections help every reader who comes after you.