Average Cost of an Acre of Land in North Carolina (2026)
The average value of farmland in North Carolina is about $5,470 per acre based on the latest USDA data, roughly 26% above the national average of $4,350. North Carolina land has risen with the state's growth, up 5.4% in the latest year. The Research Triangle and Charlotte regions push prices well above the rural Coastal Plain and the mountains.
Average agricultural land values from the USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service, Land Values 2025 Summary (August 2025). Building lots and developed parcels sell for more; always check recent local sales.
Price your own parcel
What affects land prices in North Carolina
- The Triangle and Charlotte. Land near Raleigh-Durham and Charlotte carries a steep growth premium.
- Region matters. Mountains, Piedmont, and coast each price very differently.
- Pasture demand. NC grazing land is among the highest-valued in the region, driven by hobby-farm and equestrian buyers.
- Development potential. Parcels with road access and build-friendly zoning sell well above farm-use land.
How North Carolina compares
At about $5,470 an acre, North Carolina sits 26% above the US average of $4,350. Cropland here averages $5,360 an acre and pasture $6,050, against national figures of $5,830 and $1,920. These are working-farmland averages: a buildable lot near a city runs well above them, and raw, remote acreage well below.
Where an acre runs cheap and where it runs high in North Carolina
North Carolina splits three ways, and price follows the region. Land near the Research Triangle and Charlotte runs far higher, with build-ready parcels fetching the top prices. The mountains in the west and the Coastal Plain in the east run more moderate, though mountain recreational tracts run higher too. Where the parcel sits matters as much as how big it is.
Cropland, pasture, and the Carolina spread
North Carolina farm real estate averages about $5,470 an acre, with cropland near $5,360 and pasture running high at around $6,050. That strong pasture number reflects demand from hobby-farm and equestrian buyers, especially across the Piedmont. The state's growth keeps farm values above the regional norm.
Which way North Carolina prices are moving
North Carolina farmland rose about 5.4 percent in the latest USDA figures, ahead of the national pace. The Triangle and Charlotte regions drive most of it, pulling prices up in the counties they're expanding into, while rural eastern and mountain ground moves more slowly.
What the average buys you
At $5,470 an acre, 12 acres of North Carolina farmland runs about $65,640 before closing. Near Raleigh-Durham or Charlotte, a buildable acre can cost far more. Drop a real listing price into the calculator above to price the parcel you're weighing.
Before you buy land in North Carolina
Region sets the baseline, so compare against sales in the same part of the state, not the statewide average. For a homesite, check road access and build-friendly zoning, which push a parcel well above farm-use value. In the mountains, confirm the buildable area and access before you count on the full acreage.
Common questions
On average, about $5,470 per acre for farmland in the latest USDA figures. That's the agricultural average; a buildable lot near a city costs more and remote acreage less. Enter a local listing price in the calculator above to price your own parcel.
Yes. North Carolina farmland rose 5.4% in the latest USDA report, faster than the national average of 4.3%.
No. The USDA figure is average agricultural land value. Residential and commercial building lots sell well above it. Treat the average as a floor for rural acreage and compare against recent local sales before you buy.
43,560 square feet. Use the square feet to acres tool to convert any lot size, in either direction.
These are planning estimates based on USDA agricultural land values, not an appraisal. Land prices vary widely by county, parcel, access, and use. Confirm with recent local sales or a licensed appraiser before buying or selling.