Home insurance in North Carolina costs about $276 monthly or $3,316 annually on average. Homeowners here pay $57 more per month, or $681 more annually, than the national average, making it the 10th most expensive state for home insurance.
Average Home Insurance Cost in North Carolina
Updated: May 31, 2025
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Rates updated:
Jun 06, 2025
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Key Takeaways
Home insurance costs in North Carolina range from $3,579 to $22,164 per year, depending on your financial history, home details, coverage chosen and provider.
North Carolina's home insurance premiums are the 10th most expensive in the country, at 26% above the national average.
To find the best home insurance in North Carolina, determine what coverage you need beforehand, research costs and discounts in your area, and shop around.
How Much Is Home Insurance in North Carolina?
| North Carolina Average | $276 | $3,316 | 26% |
| National Average | $220 | $2,635 | 0% |
*These rates represent a home built in 2000 out of frame with $250,000 Dwelling, $125,000 Personal Property and $200,000 Liability coverage with a $1,000 deductible.
Average Home Insurance Cost by City
Depending on your city, various risk factors (including your property’s age, weather-related factors and home valuations) differ significantly, affecting home insurance costs. For example, the average monthly home insurance cost in Wilmington is around $1,569; in Greensboro, it’s much lower at $193.
| Cary | $236 | $2,837 |
| Charlotte | $214 | $2,571 |
| Durham | $238 | $2,853 |
| Fayetteville | $315 | $3,783 |
| Greensboro | $193 | $2,317 |
| High Point | $193 | $2,317 |
| Raleigh | $235 | $2,815 |
| Wilmington | $1,569 | $18,828 |
| Winston-Salem | $204 | $2,450 |
*These rates represent a home built in 2000 out of frame with $250,000 Dwelling, $125,000 Personal Property and $200,000 Liability coverage with a $1,000 deductible.
Why Is Home Insurance So Expensive in North Carolina?
Home insurance is expensive in North Carolina mainly because of the increasing number of claims, the high risk of severe weather and natural disasters, rising material and labor costs, and state insurance laws. Below, we explain each factor in detail:
Rising Claims
As homeowners file more claims, insurance companies raise premiums to cover their increased costs. Each claim reflects potential risk, prompting insurers to adjust prices to maintain profitability.
High Weather Risks
In North Carolina, hurricane season isn't a matter of "if" but "when." Insurance companies have the same weather data you do and the claims history to back it up. When storms regularly cause millions in damage, they price their policies to cover those inevitable repairs and replacements.
Rising Material and Labor Costs
Building materials and labor cost more now, making home repairs pricier. Insurance companies adjust their rates accordingly since they need to charge enough today to pay for tomorrow's claims.
State Insurance Laws
North Carolina insurance regulations can influence the cost of coverage. Mandates on coverage requirements or how insurers can set rates can lead to higher insurance prices.
What Affects North Carolina Home Insurance Costs?
Like with most home insurance companies, pricing is mostly affected by these factors:
- Location
- Coverage chosen
- Home build details
- Provider chosen
- Credit
- Claims history
We'll discuss how each factor affects rates in North Carolina.
How Much Does Location Affect Home Insurance Costs?
Location is the biggest factor affecting home insurance rates in North Carolina, with rates varying by up to 378%. Weather risks, home value and population density in your area play a major role in determining costs.
| Lowest | North Carolina State Remnant Tier Aggregate | $146 | $1,755 |
| Highest | Wilmington | $1,691 | $20,293 |
How Much Does Coverage Affect Home Insurance Costs?
Coverage choices are the second most influential factor in North Carolina home insurance rates, with costs ranging from $1,375 to $12,664 per year. Higher coverage limits and lower deductibles increase premiums, while lower limits and higher deductibles reduce costs.
| Lowest | $100K Dwelling / $50K Personal Property / $100K Liability | 2000 | $115 | $1,375 |
| Highest | $1MM Dwelling / $500K Personal Property / $1MM Liability | 500 | $1,055 | $12,664 |
How Much Do Home Details Affect Home Insurance Costs?
Home details like age, construction materials and roof type are the third most influential factor in North Carolina homeowners insurance rates, averaging from $120 to $272 per month. These factors affect replacement costs and the risk of damage or theft, leading to rate differences.
| Lowest | New | Superior | Tile | $120 | $1,443 |
| Highest | Old | Frame | Composition | $272 | $3,267 |
How Much Does the Provider You Choose Affect Home Insurance Costs?
Your choice of insurer is the fourth most influential factor in North Carolina home insurance rates, with prices ranging from 26% below to 26% above the state average.
| Lowest | Auto-Owners Insurance | $202 | $2,425 |
| Highest | Farmers | $342 | $4,103 |
How Much Does Credit Affect Home Insurance Costs?
A higher credit score makes you appear more reliable, which can lower your home insurance costs. Premiums vary by up to 69%, with annual average rates ranging from $2,598 to $8,503.
| Lowest | Excellent | $217 | $2,598 |
| Highest | Poor | $709 | $8,503 |
How Much Does Claims History Affect Home Insurance Costs?
Filing more claims will increase your perceived risk for insurers, which can increase premiums. However, in North Carolina, claims history has a smaller impact on cost than other factors. We found that depending on your claims history, rates can be affected by up to 19% or $739 annually.
| Lowest | Claim free for 5+ years | $272 | $3,267 |
| Highest | 2 claims in past 5 years | $389 | $4,672 |
Tips to Save on North Carolina Home Insurance
With high home insurance costs in North Carolina, it's important to find ways to save on your insurance payments. Whether you're buying a new home or cutting current costs, here are tips to secure the best and cheapest home insurance in North Carolina tailored to your needs.
- 1
Find How Much Coverage You Need Beforehand
Determining how much home insurance you need before buying allows you to frame how you search for coverage and avoid being oversold by agents. In addition to standard coverage options, consider if you need add-ons to protect any additional items you own.
- 2
Research Costs and Discounts Beforehand
To determine if you’re getting a good deal, understand the average costs for you and your home. Also, ask agents about all available home insurance discounts, as some insurers apply certain reductions only if requested.
- 3
Compare Multiple Providers Through Different Avenues
Comparing multiple insurers apples to apples helps you find the best coverage for your needs. Use various methods, including online comparison sites, brokers, provider websites, and agents, as quotes vary significantly across these channels.
- 4
Consider Bundling Policies
Bundling policies can lead to substantial savings. For instance, combining home and auto insurance in North Carolina can save you a considerable percentage on home insurance and a set amount annually on both policies.
- 5
Reduce Your Personal Risk Profile
Consider making improvements like adding storm shutters or home security systems to lower premiums on your home. Improving your credit score can also decrease premiums significantly. For example, moving from a fair to a good credit score can save you 28% on average.
- 6
See if You Are Eligible for State Programs
North Carolina offers programs to help you get affordable coverage if traditional home insurance is not available. While these programs don’t offer the same coverage amount as traditional policies, they meet mortgage requirements.
North Carolina Home Insurance Calculator: Bottom Line
Home insurance costs vary, mainly due to location and chosen coverage. Find affordable rates by determining your needs and typical prices, then use our estimate tool to find the best rate.
Homeowners Calculator Insurance North Carolina: FAQ
Homeowners insurance costs in North Carolina depend on several factors. To help you estimate costs, we've answered common questions about home insurance in North Carolina.
How much does homeowners insurance cost in North Carolina?
North Carolina's average monthly home insurance cost is $276 for dwelling coverage of $250,000. However, your rate will depend on factors like your credit score, liability and property coverage limits, and deductible.
How do I know how much dwelling coverage to get?
Homeowners can estimate their required dwelling coverage by calculating the cost to replace their home after damage, often with help from an appraiser. While this study uses a baseline coverage of $250,000, you can use the MoneyGeek homeowners insurance calculator to find the right coverage limit for your needs.
What factors affect home insurance costs the most?
The biggest factors affecting home insurance costs are your location, coverage level and provider. Your credit score and home details also influence your rates.
How We Determined Our North Carolina Home Insurance Estimates
When determining the average cost of home insurance in North Carolina, we used a base profile for a simple estimate consistent with the following:
- $250,000 dwelling coverage
- $125,000 personal property coverage
- $200,000 liability coverage
- Home Built Year: 2000
- Construction type: Frame
- Roof type: Composition
- $1,000 deductible
- No claims in the past 5+ years
- Fire protection level of 3
However, rates will vary widely depending on factors such as coverage level, provider chosen, the age of the home, other features of the home, insured credit and claims history, among other factors. All other combinations presented in this article assume the home was built in 2000.
About Mark Fitzpatrick
Mark Fitzpatrick, a Licensed Property and Casualty Insurance Producer, is MoneyGeek's resident Personal Finance Expert. With over five years of experience analyzing the insurance market, he conducts original research and creates tailored content for all types of buyers. His insights have been featured in publications like CNBC, NBC News and Mashable.
Fitzpatrick holds a master’s degree in economics and international relations from Johns Hopkins University and a bachelor’s degree from Boston College. He's also a five-time Jeopardy champion!
Passionate about economics and insurance, he aims to promote transparency in financial topics and empower others to make confident money decisions.