California vs North Carolina: Mortgage & Housing Costs
Side-by-side comparison of mortgage costs, property taxes, closing costs, and homeowners insurance between California and North Carolina. Updated for 2026.
Metric
California
North Carolina
Median Home Price
$785K
$340K
Property Tax Rate
0.73%
0.78%
Avg Closing Costs
$9K
$5K
Closing Cost %
1.2%
1.4%
Transfer Tax
0.11%
0.2%
Homeowners Insurance
$2,200/yr
$2,300/yr
First-Time Buyer Program
CalHFA Dream For All
Up to 20% shared appreciation loan
NC Home Advantage Mortgage
Up to 5% DPA
Verdict
California wins 4 of 6 cost categories, making it the more affordable state for homebuyers overall. However, North Carolina has a lower total cost when combining home price, closing costs, and insurance. Both states offer first-time buyer programs — explore the state pages for full details.