Triangle Luxury Market in Review: 637 Homes Sold Above $1.5 Million in the Past Year
The Triangle's luxury real estate market showed remarkable strength over the past 12 months, with more than $1.4 billion in residential sales above the $1.5 million mark. Here's what the numbers tell us about where the high-end market stands heading into 2026.
The Triangle luxury market didn't just hold steady over the last year — it flexed. Between February 2025 and January 2026, 637 homes sold for $1.5 million or more across Wake, Durham, Orange, and Chatham counties, generating a combined $1.46 billion in sales volume. Whether you're a buyer trying to understand the competitive landscape or a homeowner weighing the right time to sell, the data paints a compelling picture.
The Big Numbers
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Total Luxury Sales | 637 |
| Total Sales Volume | $1.46 Billion |
| Median Sale Price | $1,880,000 |
| Median Price Per Sq Ft | $409 |
| Median Home Size | 4,611 sq ft |
| Median Year Built | 2018 |
The median luxury home that traded hands this year was roughly 4,600 square feet, built within the last eight years, and sold for just under $1.9 million. That's a profile that speaks to the newer, larger custom homes driving demand in the Triangle.
Wake County Dominates — But Watch the Smaller Counties
Wake County accounted for the lion's share with 430 luxury sales, nearly two-thirds of all transactions. That's no surprise given the county's size, but the surrounding markets are punching above their weight.
| County | Sales | Median Price | Median $/Sq Ft |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wake | 430 | $1,850,500 | $400 |
| Chatham | 81 | $2,000,000 | $390 |
| Orange | 75 | $1,900,000 | $447 |
| Durham | 51 | $1,845,000 | $605 |
Chatham County posted 81 sales with a median price of $2 million — the highest median of the four counties. Communities like Chatham Park and the Pittsboro corridor continue drawing buyers willing to pay a premium for land, privacy, and new-construction estates.
Orange County saw 75 luxury transactions, anchored by Chapel Hill's enduring appeal. The county also produced some of the most jaw-dropping sales of the year, including a $19 million estate on Westhampton Way in Chapel Hill.
Durham County is the one to watch. With 51 sales and the highest median price per square foot at $605/sq ft, Durham's luxury market reflects the demand for walkable, urban-adjacent living — especially in areas like the Novus development downtown.
Where Are Buyers Spending?
Raleigh leads all cities with 214 luxury sales, followed by Chapel Hill (87), Cary (59), Durham (50), and Apex (31). Together, these five cities account for 70% of all Triangle luxury transactions.
| City | Sales | Median Price | Total Volume |
|---|---|---|---|
| Raleigh | 214 | $1,942,500 | $479.2M |
| Chapel Hill | 87 | $1,830,000 | $237.5M |
| Cary | 59 | $1,800,000 | $130.2M |
| Durham | 50 | $1,958,500 | $115.3M |
| Apex | 31 | $1,895,000 | $64.0M |
| Pittsboro | 14 | $1,774,500 | $26.6M |
| Morrisville | 7 | $1,585,000 | $12.8M |
| Holly Springs | 5 | $1,628,500 | $8.4M |
Notably, Durham's median luxury price ($1,958,500) actually edges out Raleigh's ($1,942,500) — a signal that Durham's high-end market is no longer playing second fiddle.
Hillsborough quietly emerged as a luxury hotspot with four sales at a staggering median of $4.6 million, driven by large estate properties on significant acreage.
The Price Breakdown: Most of the Action Is Below $2 Million
Nearly 59% of all luxury sales fell in the $1.5 million to $2 million range, underscoring that the "entry point" to Triangle luxury living has firmly settled around this threshold.
| Price Tier | Sales | Share |
|---|---|---|
| $1.5M – $2M | 375 | 58.9% |
| $2M – $3M | 180 | 28.3% |
| $3M – $5M | 56 | 8.8% |
| $5M+ | 26 | 4.1% |
The ultra-luxury tier ($5 million and above) saw 26 transactions, averaging just under $7.9 million per sale. These represented trophy properties — sprawling estates, waterfront compounds, and one-of-a-kind custom builds.
The Hottest Neighborhoods
Certain communities consistently drew luxury buyers throughout the year:
| Neighborhood | Sales | Median Price | Max Sale |
|---|---|---|---|
| Residences at the Novus (Durham) | 17 | $2,080,000 | $4,370,000 |
| Sanctuary at Lake Wheeler (Raleigh) | 11 | $1,640,000 | $1,850,000 |
| Ellsworth (Apex) | 10 | $1,945,000 | $2,820,000 |
| Grand Highland Estates (Raleigh) | 8 | $2,187,500 | $2,400,000 |
| Budleigh East (Raleigh) | 7 | $1,974,500 | $2,665,000 |
| Wexford Reserve (Cary) | 7 | $1,700,000 | $1,760,000 |
| Montvale (Cary/Morrisville) | 6 | $2,025,000 | $2,900,000 |
| Avalaire (Apex) | 5 | $2,825,000 | $3,100,000 |
| The Oaks (Chapel Hill) | 5 | $2,015,000 | $2,250,000 |
Residences at the Novus in downtown Durham led all communities with 17 luxury sales and a median price above $2 million — a standout performance for a relatively new urban development. Meanwhile, established communities like Budleigh East in Raleigh and Avalaire in Apex continue to command premium prices, with Avalaire posting a median of $2.8 million.
Seasonal Patterns: Summer Peaks, Q4 Prices Rise
The data reveals a clear seasonal rhythm. Sales volume peaked in the summer months — June alone saw 75 luxury closings — before tapering into the fall and winter. But here's the interesting nuance: while the number of sales dipped in Q4, the median price actually climbed.
| Quarter | Sales | Volume | Median Price | Median $/Sq Ft |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Q1 2025 | 77 | $206.6M | $1,965,000 | $416 |
| Q2 2025 | 199 | $438.7M | $1,800,000 | $400 |
| Q3 2025 | 191 | $405.8M | $1,840,000 | $414 |
| Q4 2025 | 149 | $369.7M | $2,000,000 | $418 |
Q4 2025 saw the median price push to $2 million even as transaction count dropped 22% from Q3. This suggests the buyers still active in the cooler months are shopping at higher price points — a pattern that often signals confidence among high-net-worth buyers.
New Construction Is Driving the Market
One of the most striking takeaways: 36% of luxury homes sold were new construction (built 2023 or later). The median year built across all luxury sales was 2018, meaning the typical luxury buyer in the Triangle is purchasing a home less than a decade old.
This reflects a broader trend — luxury buyers in our market increasingly want move-in-ready homes with modern floor plans, energy-efficient systems, and premium finishes. The days of buying a dated home and doing a $500,000 renovation are fading (though not gone) in favor of curated new builds from the region's top custom builders.
What This Means for Buyers and Sellers
If you're selling a luxury home:
The data is on your side. More than 600 buyers wrote checks above $1.5 million in the Triangle over the past year. The key is pricing correctly for your micro-market — a $2M home in Budleigh East and a $2M home in Ellsworth appeal to different buyers with different expectations. The right pricing strategy, combined with proper exposure, is what separates a 30-day sale from a 6-month listing.
If you're buying in the luxury space:
Expect competition, but also opportunity. The $1.5M–$2M range is the most active — with 375 sales, that tier moves fastest. If you're shopping above $3 million, inventory is thinner but negotiation leverage can be stronger. And keep an eye on emerging areas like Chatham County and downtown Durham, where value relative to comparable markets still has room to grow.
Data sourced from Wake, Durham, Orange, and Chatham County public property records (ArcGIS). Analysis covers residential sales of $1.5 million and above recorded between February 2025 and January 2026. Commercial transactions and properties exceeding 15,000 sq ft have been excluded.
Thinking about buying or selling in the Triangle's luxury market? Contact the Mako Real Estate Group for a personalized market analysis.