North Carolina vs Pennsylvania: Mortgage & Housing Costs
Side-by-side comparison of mortgage costs, property taxes, closing costs, and homeowners insurance between North Carolina and Pennsylvania. Updated for 2026.
Metric
North Carolina
Pennsylvania
Median Home Price
$340K
$280K
Property Tax Rate
0.78%
1.36%
Avg Closing Costs
$5K
$5K
Closing Cost %
1.4%
1.7%
Transfer Tax
0.2%
2%
Homeowners Insurance
$2,300/yr
$1,400/yr
First-Time Buyer Program
NC Home Advantage Mortgage
Up to 5% DPA
PHFA Keystone Advantage
Up to $6,000 DPA
Verdict
North Carolina wins 3 of 6 cost categories, making it the more affordable state for homebuyers overall. However, Pennsylvania 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.