What to know before you move: cost, market timing, who it fits.
If you're considering a move to Oak Island, NC, the most important variables are the local housing market, the cost structure (taxes, insurance, utilities), and how well the city fits your day-to-day life. This page summarizes the housing market read; pair it with the cost of living page for the full picture.
Oak Island is a city in Brunswick County, North Carolina, with an estimated population of 9,322. It anchors the Myrtle Beach-Conway-North Myrtle Beach metro area. The population has grown 2.7% per year on average between 2020 and 2024 — among the faster-growing communities in the state. The median home value in Oak Island is $572,756 as of 2026-04, up 1.5% over the last 12 months. Over the last five years, home values have averaged +8.7% annual growth, with prices at or near the 5-year peak. Rents in Oak Island average $2,123 per month. The composite momentum score is 79 of 100 (Hot). Buyers should expect competition and limited negotiation room in this market.
Prices are still moving up (+1.5% YoY). Inventory tends to be tight in 'Hot' markets — buyers should expect competition and limited negotiation room.
Reasons people move here
- Multi-year compounder: home values up an average 8.7% per year over the last 5 years — sustained, not a one-year pop.
- People are voting with their feet: population growing 2.7% per year since 2020 — that's faster than ~80% of US cities.
- Held the highs: currently +0.0% from the 5-year peak — this market refused to give back gains.
Things to know first
- Local nuance: city-level data smooths over neighborhood differences. School zones, HOA rules, and street-level character matter — visit before deciding.
- Local nuance (school zones, neighborhood quality) varies block by block — visit before deciding.
More about Oak Island
Sources: Zillow ZHVI (home values), Zillow ZORI (rents), US Census ACS + place population. Updated when source agencies publish revisions.