The 25 Best Small Towns for First-Time Home Buyers in North Carolina

Ranked on The Town Files lifestyle rankings among 188 towns of 500–10,000 people in North Carolina. #1 is Lake Park, NC.

1. 25Windsor, North Carolina

   Better for first-time buyers than 88% of North Carolina towns

   Windsor is a town of 3,582 people in Bertie County, North Carolina. It also ranks quieter than 96% of North Carolina towns and more seaside character than 88% of North Carolina towns.

   3,582 people · Bertie County · median home $102,700 · income $40,714 · Jan low 33°F · 1 in snow

   Full Windsor, North Carolina profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

2. 24Archer Lodge, North Carolina

   Better for first-time buyers than 88% of North Carolina towns

   Archer Lodge is a town of 4,797 people in Johnston County, North Carolina. It also ranks more of a college town than 99% of North Carolina towns and better for families than 97% of North Carolina towns.

   4,797 people · Johnston County · median home $324,500 · income $91,188 · Jan low 31°F · 3 in snow

   Full Archer Lodge, North Carolina profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

3. 23Bessemer City, North Carolina

   Better for first-time buyers than 88% of North Carolina towns

   Bessemer City is a city of 5,428 people in Gaston County, North Carolina. It also ranks better for cycling than 92% of North Carolina towns and more walkable than 81% of North Carolina towns.

   5,428 people · Gaston County · median home $206,100 · income $60,300 · Jan low 31°F · 1 in snow

   Full Bessemer City, North Carolina profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

4. 22Siler City, North Carolina

   Better for first-time buyers than 88% of North Carolina towns

   Siler City is a town of 7,702 people in Chatham County, North Carolina. It also ranks better for cycling than 93% of North Carolina towns and better transit than 84% of North Carolina towns.

   7,702 people · Chatham County · median home $154,600 · income $46,566 · Jan low 30°F · 2 in snow

   Full Siler City, North Carolina profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

5. 21Cherryville, North Carolina

   Better for first-time buyers than 89% of North Carolina towns

   Cherryville is a city of 6,078 people in Gaston County, North Carolina. It also ranks easier by car than 92% of North Carolina towns and better for young professionals than 84% of North Carolina towns.

   6,078 people · Gaston County · median home $232,100 · income $70,625 · Jan low 30°F · 6 in snow

   Full Cherryville, North Carolina profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

6. 20Murfreesboro, North Carolina

   Better for first-time buyers than 91% of North Carolina towns

   Murfreesboro is a town of 2,619 people in Hertford County, North Carolina. It also ranks better for cycling than 100% of North Carolina towns and better transit than 95% of North Carolina towns.

   2,619 people · Hertford County · median home $158,600 · income $39,914 · Jan low 29°F · 3 in snow

   Full Murfreesboro, North Carolina profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

7. 19Ahoskie, North Carolina

   Better for first-time buyers than 91% of North Carolina towns

   Ahoskie is a town of 4,891 people in Hertford County, North Carolina. It also ranks better for cycling than 92% of North Carolina towns and hipper than 89% of North Carolina towns.

   4,891 people · Hertford County · median home $143,200 · income $40,987 · Jan low 29°F · 2 in snow

   Full Ahoskie, North Carolina profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

8. 18Dunn, North Carolina

   Better for first-time buyers than 91% of North Carolina towns

   Dunn is a city of 8,446 people in Harnett County, North Carolina. It also ranks hipper than 93% of North Carolina towns and more vibrant than 85% of North Carolina towns.

   8,446 people · Harnett County · median home $193,900 · income $46,830 · Jan low 32°F · 2 in snow

   Full Dunn, North Carolina profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

9. 17Red Springs, North Carolina

   Better for first-time buyers than 92% of North Carolina towns

   Red Springs is a town of 3,087 people in Robeson County, North Carolina. It also ranks more walkable than 84% of North Carolina towns and more vibrant than 70% of North Carolina towns.

   3,087 people · Robeson County · median home $100,800 · income $20,833 · Jan low 34°F · 0 in snow

   Full Red Springs, North Carolina profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

10. 16Raeford, North Carolina

    Better for first-time buyers than 92% of North Carolina towns

    Raeford is a city of 4,559 people in Hoke County, North Carolina. It also ranks better transit than 99% of North Carolina towns and better for cycling than 80% of North Carolina towns.

    4,559 people · Hoke County · median home $201,800 · income $46,494 · Jan low 30°F · 3 in snow

    Full Raeford, North Carolina profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

11. 15Dallas, North Carolina

    Better for first-time buyers than 92% of North Carolina towns

    Dallas is a town of 5,927 people in Gaston County, North Carolina. It also ranks easier by car than 81% of North Carolina towns and more vibrant than 77% of North Carolina towns.

    5,927 people · Gaston County · median home $254,000 · income $58,403 · Jan low 31°F · 1 in snow

    Full Dallas, North Carolina profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

12. 14Wadesboro, North Carolina

    Better for first-time buyers than 93% of North Carolina towns

    Wadesboro is a town of 5,008 people in Anson County, North Carolina. It also ranks more walkable than 75% of North Carolina towns.

    5,008 people · Anson County · median home $153,200 · income $42,667 · Jan low 32°F · 3 in snow

    Full Wadesboro, North Carolina profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

13. 13Glen Raven, North Carolina

    Better for first-time buyers than 94% of North Carolina towns

    Glen Raven is a community of 3,239 people in Alamance County, North Carolina. It also ranks more walkable than 98% of North Carolina towns and more vibrant than 81% of North Carolina towns.

    3,239 people · Alamance County · median home $224,000 · income $63,173 · Jan low 31°F · 2 in snow

    Full Glen Raven, North Carolina profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

14. 12Ranlo, North Carolina

    Better for first-time buyers than 94% of North Carolina towns

    Ranlo is a town of 4,511 people in Gaston County, North Carolina. It also ranks more walkable than 95% of North Carolina towns and better transit than 85% of North Carolina towns.

    4,511 people · Gaston County · median home $200,200 · income $78,033 · Jan low 31°F · 1 in snow

    Full Ranlo, North Carolina profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

15. 11Wingate, North Carolina

    Better for first-time buyers than 95% of North Carolina towns

    Wingate is a town of 4,055 people in Union County, North Carolina. It also ranks more of a college town than 85% of North Carolina towns.

    4,055 people · Union County · median home $229,800 · income $63,068 · Jan low 30°F · 2 in snow

    Full Wingate, North Carolina profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

16. 10Creedmoor, North Carolina

    Better for first-time buyers than 95% of North Carolina towns

    Creedmoor is a city of 4,866 people in Granville County, North Carolina. It also ranks better for families than 91% of North Carolina towns and more of a college town than 82% of North Carolina towns.

    4,866 people · Granville County · median home $281,400 · income $82,961 · Jan low 28°F · 2 in snow

    Full Creedmoor, North Carolina profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

17. 9Warsaw, North Carolina

    Better for first-time buyers than 96% of North Carolina towns

    Warsaw is a town of 2,733 people in Duplin County, North Carolina. The median home is worth $112,500 (typical North Carolina town: $228,900).

    2,733 people · Duplin County · median home $112,500 · income $54,297 · Jan low 30°F · 2 in snow

    Full Warsaw, North Carolina profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

18. 8Skippers Corner, North Carolina

    Better for first-time buyers than 96% of North Carolina towns

    Skippers Corner is a community of 2,912 people in New Hanover County, North Carolina. It also ranks better for cycling than 83% of North Carolina towns and easier by car than 80% of North Carolina towns.

    2,912 people · New Hanover County · median home $247,500 · income $72,297 · Jan low 33°F · 0 in snow

    Full Skippers Corner, North Carolina profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

19. 7Spindale, North Carolina

    Better for first-time buyers than 96% of North Carolina towns

    Spindale is a town of 4,225 people in Rutherford County, North Carolina. It also ranks more walkable than 94% of North Carolina towns and hipper than 93% of North Carolina towns.

    4,225 people · Rutherford County · median home $167,400 · income $41,262 · Jan low 27°F · 5 in snow

    Full Spindale, North Carolina profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

20. 6Kings Grant, North Carolina

    Better for first-time buyers than 97% of North Carolina towns

    Kings Grant is a community of 8,466 people in New Hanover County, North Carolina. It also ranks more vibrant than 98% of North Carolina towns and better for cycling than 96% of North Carolina towns.

    8,466 people · New Hanover County · median home $300,700 · income $62,232 · Jan low 36°F · 1 in snow

    Full Kings Grant, North Carolina profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

21. 5Wendell, North Carolina

    Better for first-time buyers than 97% of North Carolina towns

    Wendell is a town of 9,793 people in Wake County, North Carolina. It also ranks better for young professionals than 82% of North Carolina towns and more upscale than 80% of North Carolina towns.

    9,793 people · Wake County · median home $330,500 · income $95,787 · Jan low 31°F · 3 in snow

    Full Wendell, North Carolina profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

22. 4Northchase, North Carolina

    Better for first-time buyers than 98% of North Carolina towns

    Northchase is a community of 3,842 people in New Hanover County, North Carolina. It also ranks better for young professionals than 92% of North Carolina towns and more vibrant than 81% of North Carolina towns.

    3,842 people · New Hanover County · median home $318,400 · income $59,375 · Jan low 33°F · 0 in snow

    Full Northchase, North Carolina profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

23. 3Wrightsboro, North Carolina

    Better for first-time buyers than 98% of North Carolina towns

    Wrightsboro is a community of 5,526 people in New Hanover County, North Carolina. It also ranks better for cycling than 89% of North Carolina towns and more of a college town than 81% of North Carolina towns.

    5,526 people · New Hanover County · median home $255,700 · income $78,450 · Jan low 36°F · 1 in snow

    Full Wrightsboro, North Carolina profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

24. 2Wilson's Mills, North Carolina

    Better for first-time buyers than 99% of North Carolina towns

    Wilson's Mills is a town of 2,534 people in Johnston County, North Carolina. It also ranks better for young professionals than 92% of North Carolina towns and more upscale than 88% of North Carolina towns.

    2,534 people · Johnston County · median home $241,800 · income $62,813 · Jan low 31°F · 1 in snow

    Full Wilson's Mills, North Carolina profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

25. 1Lake Park, North Carolina

    Better for first-time buyers than 99% of North Carolina towns

    Lake Park is a village of 3,269 people in Union County, North Carolina. It also ranks more vibrant than 98% of North Carolina towns and more of a college town than 90% of North Carolina towns.

    3,269 people · Union County · median home $334,500 · income $66,411 · Jan low 32°F · 2 in snow

    Full Lake Park, North Carolina profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

Price vs ranking

More North Carolina rankings

• The 25 Best Small Towns to Retire in North Carolina
• The 25 Quietest Small Towns in North Carolina
• The 25 Most Affordable Small Towns in North Carolina
• The 25 Best Small Towns for Families in North Carolina
• The 13 Best Quiet, Affordable Small Towns to Retire in North Carolina
• 25 Small Towns in North Carolina With the Cheapest Homes
• 25 Small Towns in North Carolina With the Mildest Winters
• The 25 Most Walkable Small Towns in North Carolina
• 25 Small Towns in North Carolina With the Fewest Tornadoes Since 1950
• The 20 Best Affordable Small Towns for Remote Workers in North Carolina

Same ranking, other places

• The 50 Best Small Towns for First-Time Home Buyers in America
• The 25 Best Small Towns for First-Time Home Buyers in Pennsylvania
• The 25 Best Small Towns for First-Time Home Buyers in New York
• The 25 Best Small Towns for First-Time Home Buyers in Michigan
• The 25 Best Small Towns for First-Time Home Buyers in Texas
• The 25 Best Small Towns for First-Time Home Buyers in California
• The 25 Best Small Towns for First-Time Home Buyers in New Jersey
• The 25 Best Small Towns for First-Time Home Buyers in Florida
• The 25 Best Small Towns for First-Time Home Buyers in Wisconsin
• The 25 Best Small Towns for First-Time Home Buyers in Ohio