Orange County Real Estate Market Report
- Jan-Sept 2026
Data covers single family homes and townhouses only. Excludes condos, multifamily, and land. Source: Doorify MLS Market Review (Domus Analytics), year-to-date January-September 2026, single family & townhouse. Data sourced from Triangle MLS, Orange County Register of Deeds, and local brokerage reports. All data deemed reliable but not guaranteed.
Market Snapshot
ORANGE COUNTY BY THE NUMBERS
Median Sales Price
$594,500
Jan-Sept 2026 / $530,500 in 2025 / +12.1% YoY
Closed Sales
964
Jan-Sept 2026 / 877 in 2025 / +9.9% YoY
Median Days on Market
20
Jan-Sept 2026 / 13 in 2025 / +53.8% YoY
List Price Received
98.7%
Jan-Sept 2026 / 99.8% in 2025 / -1.1% YoY
Median Sold $/Sq Ft
$267
Jan-Sept 2026 / $273 in 2025 / -2.2% YoY
New Listings
1,583
Jan-Sept 2026 / 1,328 in 2025 / +19.2% YoY
Analysis
ORANGE COUNTY MARKET TREND
Orange County shows strong double-digit price appreciation while days on market stretch - supply is responding.
Orange County median sale price of $675,000 (June 2026) reflects a robust 8.9% year-over-year increase from $620,000. This continues Orange County trajectory as one of the premium markets in the Triangle.
Closed sales reached 539 in June 2026, up 9.1% from 494 a year ago. The volume increase is significant for a county with historically tight inventory and suggests that more supply is finally translating into more transactions.
Days on market have risen to 14 days, up from 9 a year ago (+55.6%). While this is a big percentage increase, 14 days is still exceptionally fast - homes in Orange County are going under contract in two weeks. It simply means buyers are not having to make same-day decisions quite as often as before.
At $273 per square foot (-5.2% YoY) with a 98.9% sale-to-list ratio, the price-per-square-foot decline is notable. It may reflect changing mix - more smaller homes or condos trading - rather than outright value loss. The 921 new listings (+13.6%) signal growing supply that should support the market long-term health.
What This Means for Buyers
Orange County is premium-priced for good reason, but the price range is wide. If you are drawn to Chapel Hill, expect to pay at least $500K for a single-family home. If you expand your search to Hillsborough or the unincorporated areas, you can find value in the $400K-$500K range with more space and character.
What This Means for Sellers
Orange County sellers benefit from strong demand and limited competition. Your home is in one of the most desirable counties in the state. Price it fairly, present it well, and market the lifestyle - buyers here are choosing Orange County for what it is, not just what the house offers.
Need the Full Picture?
GET YOUR ORANGE COUNTY MARKET ANALYSIS
These numbers are just the starting point. For a personalized breakdown of how current market conditions affect your goals - whether buying, selling, or relocating - talk to someone who knows this market inside and out.
Report last updated: Jan-Sept 2026 · Data sourced from publicly available MLS records, Wake County Register of Deeds, and brokerage market reports · Deemed reliable but not guaranteed