McDowell County, North Carolina home prices
Typical home $256,108 · -2.5% in a year · property tax 0.53%
The typical home in McDowell County is worth $256,108, 23% less than the North Carolina typical home ($332,159). Values changed -2.5% in the past year and +10.9% over five years. Homeowners here pay a median 0.53% of their home's value in property tax each year ($1,364 on the typical home), versus 0.64% statewide.
Mortgage on the typical McDowell County home
| Down payment | Cash down | Loan | Principal + interest | PMI / MIP | Tax + insurance | Total / month | Income needed |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 20% down | $51,222 | $204,887 | $1,378 | $0 | $242 | $1,620 | $69,400 |
| 10% down | $25,611 | $230,498 | $1,551 | $96 | $242 | $1,888 | $80,900 |
| 5% down | $12,805 | $243,303 | $1,637 | $101 | $242 | $1,980 | $84,800 |
| 3.5% down (FHA) | $8,964 | $251,470 | $1,692 | $113 | $242 | $2,047 | $87,700 |
Assumes a 30-year fixed loan at 7.11%, property tax of 0.53% of the home value a year, homeowners insurance of 0.6% a year, PMI of 0.5% of the loan a year when the down payment is under 20%, and FHA mortgage insurance of 0.55% a year plus a 1.75% upfront premium added to the loan. Your rate, taxes and insurance will differ.
What it takes: see what you can afford by salary in North Carolina · part of the Marion metro area.
North Carolina counties with similar prices
| County | Typical home | 1-yr change | Tax rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gates County | $255,286 | +10.6% | 0.76% |
| Burke County | $253,278 | +1.2% | 0.68% |
| Stokes County | $259,278 | +6.4% | 0.6% |
| Randolph County | $251,780 | +2.6% | 0.67% |
| Pasquotank County | $264,204 | +1.1% | 0.67% |
| Cherokee County | $264,815 | -0.2% | 0.46% |
| Person County | $246,547 | +4.6% | 0.62% |
| Alleghany County | $266,244 | +1.5% | 0.57% |
| Alexander County | $268,040 | +6.7% | 0.6% |
| Pitt County | $243,595 | +1.1% | 0.83% |
Frequently asked questions
What is the average home price in McDowell County, NC?
The typical home value in McDowell County is $256,108 (Zillow Home Value Index, September 2026).
How much do you need to earn to buy a house in McDowell County?
About $69,400 a year for the typical home with 20% down at a 7.11% 30-year rate.
What is the property tax rate in McDowell County?
The median effective rate is 0.53% of home value a year (Census ACS 2024 5-year estimates).