Raleigh Housing Market: Trends & Prices (2026)
Raleigh Real Estate Market Overview
By Kenny Zhu
(Last Updated – 9/2026)
Raleigh — the City of Oaks — is one to watch on the housing market scene. With its job opportunities and quality of life, people are choosing to move there, driving up housing demand in recent years.
Raleigh is the second-most populous city in North Carolina — with a population of about 506,306 residents — and also happens to be one of the fastest-growing cities in the United States. Raleigh is also the seventh-most educated city in America, with over half of its residents holding at least a bachelor’s degree.
Those who call Raleigh a college town are spot-on, as Raleigh is home to at least 10 major colleges, including North Carolina State University. The city is within an hour’s drive of both Duke University and the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, making it neutral ground for Blue Devils and Tar Heels fans alike.
Raleigh, though, is known for more than just brains and basketball. It’s also a great place to find smoked whole-hog barbecue, complete with signature vinegar and pepper-based glaze.
Home values in the area are down about 2% over the past year, which is lower than the national growth rate of 1.2%, according to Zillow. Factors contributing to this include already high home prices and a more steady supply and demand in the city.
If you’re thinking of getting a home loan and buying property in Raleigh, you’ll want to check out the following assessment of the home-buying, demographic, and market trends in the area.
Raleigh Real Estate Market Trends
While the Raleigh housing market is not as hot as it was in the past, it still remains a strong market with high demand.
According to forecasting from Norada Real Estate Investments, Raleigh’s home prices are projected to level off, perhaps rising slightly to close 2026, and hopefully carry that momentum into 2027.
A decline in home sales since last year and an increase in the average number of days listings spend on the market create a favorable environment for buyers.
Homes sold on the real estate market in Raleigh on average close around 2% below the listing price and spend around 40 days on the market before an offer is accepted.
$422,221
Median Sale Price
$221
Median Price Per Square Foot
39 days
Median Time on Market
Raleigh Housing Market Forecast
Anyone jumping into the home-buying process in Raleigh may be happy to hear that data from Zillow shows that home values as of August 2026 are down about 2% from 2025.
Currently, the average home in Raleigh spends around 40 days on the market before it’s snapped up, so homebuyers shopping for a house in the interim may have some breathing room.
Demographics of the Raleigh Market
Raleigh households tend to be wealthier and more educated than the United States as a whole. This is possibly due to its proximity to some of the most prestigious educational institutions in the South.
In fact, UNC, North Carolina State University, and Duke University and its affiliate health system all rank among the top eight employers in the greater Raleigh-Wake County metropolitan area.
As part of the Research Triangle, the city and its surrounding areas have seen major growth in professional services over recent years, including in the tech, health care, financial services, education, and government sectors.
In fact, Raleigh has developed a reputation as a rapidly developing tech hub in the South and is among a handful of cities that are adding tech jobs at a faster rate than the coastal giants.
Major tech companies such as International Business Machines, Red Hat Inc. (a subsidiary of IBM), and Cisco Systems house major branches in and around Raleigh, and each location employs thousands of Raleigh residents.
Median Household Income: $85,060
Median Age: 34.2
College Educated: 55.7%
Homeowners: 50.7%
Married: 41%
Popular Raleigh Neighborhoods
The capital of the Tar Heel State isn’t just a great place for basketball, tailgating, and barbecue. It’s also an excellent place to live.
Based on key characteristics, including home values, growth in home prices, and population, here are five popular Raleigh neighborhoods to help you on your home-shopping journey.
Recommended: The Cost of Living in the U.S.Garner
Garner is an independent town that is quieter than other faster-growing suburbs in Raleigh. It offers a mix of older single-family neighborhoods and newer planned developments and townhomes. It is anchored by historic Downtown Garner, which serves as a cultural hub with dining, shops, and events.
Quick Facts
Population:
34,473
Median Age:
38
Housing Units:
15,043
Bike Score:
40
Walk Score:
50
Transit Score:
0
Median Household Income:
$78,756
Garner Housing Market
For affordability and value, Garner offers lower median list prices than many neighborhoods in Raleigh while staying within convenient access to the city. The median sale price is $379,749, and the average home value is $380,170. Both are well below the overall Raleigh average home value of $435,237.
Median Home Price
$379,749
Median Price Per Square Ft.
$184
North Hills
Also known as Raleigh’s Midtown, fast-growing North Hills is located north of Raleigh’s downtown and features fine dining, live entertainment, and bustling shopping districts.
The North Hills area features a large number of luxury apartments for rent. The neighborhood is known to be generally walkable, quiet on residential streets, and close to amenities.
Recommended: Price-to-Rent Ratio in 50 CitiesQuick Facts
Population:
3,551
Median Age:
38
Housing Units:
1,993
Bike Score:
57
Walk Score:
76
Transit Score:
33
Median Household Income:
$89,526
North Hills Housing Market
If you’re buying in North Hills, you’ll need a jumbo loan, as homes in this neighborhood sit on the high end of the market, and many of the properties located within its residential districts fall within the category of upscale or luxury homes.
North Hill’s growth rate in median sale prices was 4.5% year over year as of August 2026, whereas median sale prices saw a decline of 6.2% for Raleigh as a whole.
While North Hill ranks higher on the list in terms of median listing home prices in the Raleigh real estate market, there are other neighborhoods with homes in the million-dollar average range, such as Glenwood and Five Points East.
Median Home Price
$859,585
Median Price Per Square Foot
$390
Glenwood South
Glenwood South is a vibrant neighborhood located just west of Downtown. It has a lively mix of residences, dining options, nightlife, and entertainment.
Many of the streets are walkable, and it’s packed with community amenities such as Fred Fletcher Park, Pullen Park, and the Conlon Family Skate Park. Glenwood South’s bars, restaurants, boutique shops, and event spaces make it appealing, especially for young professionals.
Quick Facts
Population:
1,995
Median Age:
33
Housing Units:
1,290
Bike Score:
87
Walk Score:
94
Transit Score:
70
Median Household Income:
$80,790
Glenwood South Housing Market
The Glenwood South housing market is fairly competitive. The vast majority of the housing units in this neighborhood are apartments and renter-occupied. However, there is a smattering of one-unit detached and attached single-family homes.
The median housing cost per month is $1,624, and the median rent payment is $1,608.
Median Home Price
$990,000
Median Price Per Square Foot
$344
Oakwood
A historic neighborhood, Oakwood sits right on the edge of downtown Raleigh. With its Victorian-era homes and tree-lined streets, this area has a lot of character and unique architecture. North Carolina’s largest intact nineteenth-century neighborhood, Historic Oakwood has become a coveted area, and many residents have been there for a long time.
Similar to North Hills, home prices in Oakwood are generally on the higher end, with a high growth rate compared to last year.
Quick Facts
Population:
1,609
Median Age:
34
Housing Units:
828
Bike Score:
84
Walk Score:
68
Transit Score:
65
Median Household Income:
$70,862
Oakwood Housing Market
Homes in Oakwood generally have higher sale prices than the real estate market in Raleigh, NC, as a whole. However, the area saw a considerable drop in home prices in August 2026 compared to last year.
The median sale price of a home in Oakwood was down 25.8% since last year, per Redfin. Homes in Oakwood can stay on the market for an average of 45 days, which is down from 68 days last year.
Median Home Price
$654,684
Median Price Per Square Foot
$391
Downtown Raleigh
Downtown is the city’s central hub, featuring museums, music venues, galleries, and a host of dining options. Residents can walk around, enjoying food-focused blocks, weekend markets, and event spaces that host cultural programming and art installations.
Visitors can see the North Carolina State Capitol building, the North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences, and the Marbles Kids Museum. For house hunters, the options range from modern condo towers to historic buildings and townhomes.
Quick Facts
Population:
5,135
Median Age:
34
Housing Units:
2,680
Bike Score:
88
Walk Score:
85
Transit Score:
71
Median Household Income:
$80,917
Downtown Raleigh Housing Market
According to Redfin’s latest data, the median sale price for a home in Downtown Raleigh sits at $472,272, which is a bit higher than the overall median sale price in Raleigh. Home prices in Downtown are down 14.8% year-over-year.
Median Home Price
$472,272
Median Price Per Square Foot
$402
SoFi Home Loans
It’s easy to see why the Raleigh real estate market has been active. There are some amazing neighborhoods to choose from, whether you’re single or have a family to look after.
If you think Raleigh could be your home sweet home, then you may need to consider your mortgage financing options.
Looking for an affordable option for a home mortgage loan? SoFi can help: We offer low down payments (as little as 3% - 5%*) with our competitive and flexible home mortgage loans. Plus, applying is extra convenient: It's online, with access to one-on-one help.
FAQ
Are home prices dropping in Raleigh?
Home prices in Raleigh have gone down overall in the last year. Median home prices were down 6.2% year over year in mid-2026, and the median price per square foot was down 5.8%. The number of homes with price drops has slightly gone up, with 42.5% having had reductions, according to Redfin.
How long are houses staying on the market in Raleigh?
According to Redfin, homes in Raleigh typically stay on the market for 39 days. Hot homes can go much quicker, though, going pending in around just 12 days.
What is the median home price in Raleigh?
The median home sale price in Raleigh, NC, is $422,221 as of August 2026. This was down 6.2% from the same time the previous year.
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