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Wake County, NC Mortgage Calculator

Estimate your monthly mortgage payment in Wake County with local property tax rates, homeowners insurance, and 2026 FHA and conforming loan limits.

Local Home Values & Affordability

Wake County's median home value of $420,000 runs about 35% above the US median of $310,000, reflecting strong local demand.

A 20% down payment on a median Wake County home requires $84,000 in cash — or $14,700 for an FHA-minimum 3.5% down payment. Buyers with less than 20% down will also need to budget for PMI or FHA MIP.

Property Tax in This Market

Wake County has one of the lowest property tax rates in our dataset at 0.76% — 31% below the national average of 1.10%. This keeps monthly PITI payments notably lower than in high-tax markets with comparable home values.

Based on the 0.76% effective rate and a median home value of $420,000, a typical homeowner in Wake County pays approximately $3,192 in annual property taxes — or $266 per month added to their mortgage payment.

Sources: Tax Foundation 2025

Homeowners Insurance Costs

Homeowners insurance in Wake County runs approximately $1,300/year ($108/month), in line with the national average of $1,600.

Premium quotes in Wake County typically range from $900 to $2,000 per year depending on home age, construction type, coverage limits, and your insurer. Always get multiple quotes.

Sources: NAIC 2024

Loan Limits & Financing Options

A buyer purchasing the median Wake County home ($420,000) with FHA's minimum 3.5% down would borrow $405,300 — well within the $541,287 baseline FHA limit for this county. FHA financing is a viable option for most buyers here.

With 20% down on a median-priced home, the loan amount of $336,000 stays $496,750 below the $832,750 conforming limit — giving buyers access to conventional Fannie/Freddie pricing without jumbo underwriting.

All FHA loans require an upfront mortgage insurance premium (UFMIP) of 1.75% of the loan amount, plus an annual MIP of 0.55%–0.75% of the loan balance paid monthly. On a $405,300 FHA loan, expect approximately $186/month in ongoing MIP — added to principal, interest, taxes, and insurance.

Sources: HUD ML 2025-23, FHFA 2026, HUD MIP Rates 2023

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%

≈ $84,000

%

Illustrative — check with your lender

$

Extra Monthly Payment

$

Estimated Monthly Payment

$2,598

Estimates are for educational purposes only and are not a loan offer or commitment to lend.

FHA Eligible

Loan Amount: $336,000

LTV: 0.01%

P&I Payment

$2,224

Total Interest

$464,692

over loan life

Payoff

30 yr

Closing Costs

$6,078–$11,346

est. range

Monthly Payment Breakdown

2026 Loan Limit Context

FHA Limit

$541,287

Conforming Limit

$832,750

Amortization Schedule

Mo.PaymentPrincipalInterestBalanceTotal Interest
1$2,224$278$1,946$335,722$1,946
2$2,224$280$1,944$335,442$3,890
3$2,224$281$1,943$335,161$5,833
4$2,224$283$1,941$334,878$7,774
5$2,224$285$1,940$334,593$9,714
6$2,224$286$1,938$334,307$11,652
7$2,224$288$1,936$334,019$13,588
8$2,224$290$1,935$333,729$15,522
9$2,224$291$1,933$333,438$17,455
10$2,224$293$1,931$333,145$19,386
11$2,224$295$1,929$332,850$21,316
12$2,224$296$1,928$332,554$23,244
Months 112 of 360

2026 Loan Limits — Wake County, NC

Limit Type2026 LimitNote
FHA Loan Limit (1-unit)$524,225Max loan for FHA-insured mortgage
Conforming Loan Limit (1-unit)$806,500Fannie Mae / Freddie Mac eligible

Source: HUD / FHFA. Data as of 2025-01-15.

FAQ — Wake County Mortgage

What is the property tax rate in Wake County?
The effective property tax rate in Wake County is approximately 0.76%. This means a home worth $420,000 would have an estimated annual tax bill of about $3,192.
What is the 2026 FHA loan limit in Wake County?
The 2026 FHA loan limit for a single-family home in Wake County, NC is $524,225.
What is the conforming loan limit in Wake County?
The 2026 conforming loan limit in Wake County is $806,500. Loans above this amount are considered jumbo loans.
What credit score do I need to buy a home in Wake County?
Most conventional lenders require a minimum 620 credit score, though the best rates go to borrowers with 740+. FHA loans allow scores as low as 580 with 3.5% down, or 500–579 with 10% down. VA loans have no official minimum but most lenders want 580–620. Your credit score affects both loan eligibility and the interest rate you receive — a difference of 50–100 points can change your rate by 0.25–0.75%.
How much should I budget for closing costs in NC?
Closing costs typically range from 2–5% of the loan amount. For a $350,000 loan, that's roughly $7,000–$17,500. NC buyers should also account for state and county transfer taxes, title insurance, and prepaid escrow items (property taxes and insurance). Always request a Loan Estimate from your lender within 3 days of application — it itemizes every cost.

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