Trying to choose between Smithfield, Princeton, and Pine Level? If you are moving within Johnston County or relocating to the area, that decision can shape your budget, commute, lot size, and daily routine more than you might expect. The good news is that each town offers a different kind of fit, and once you know what matters most to you, the choice gets much clearer. Let’s dive in.
Start With What Matters Most
Before you compare home prices, it helps to think about how you want to live day to day. Some buyers want more shops, parks, and services close by. Others care most about finding more land, a simpler small-town setting, or easy highway access.
That is why Smithfield, Princeton, and Pine Level should not be compared by name alone. A better approach is to weigh home price trends, lot patterns, school access, amenities, and commute routes side by side.
Compare Home Prices First
The latest public data shows that these three towns are in a fairly similar range, but they are not measured in exactly the same way. According to Zillow’s typical home value data for Smithfield, Smithfield was at $289,089 as of January 31, 2026. Princeton’s Zillow typical home value was $270,616 as of February 28, 2026.
Pine Level is represented by a different public source. A Realtor.com market overview referenced in the research snapshot showed Pine Level with a median sale price of $299,900 and about $189 per square foot in an October 2025 snapshot.
The key takeaway is simple: Pine Level does not automatically mean lower cost just because it feels more rural. If budget is your main priority, compare the actual home, lot size, age, and location instead of assuming one town will always be less expensive than another.
Smithfield: Best for Amenities and Options
If you want the broadest mix of homes, schools, parks, and everyday conveniences, Smithfield stands out. It is the largest of the three, with 12,806 residents in the 2024 Census estimate, and the Census reports a mean travel time to work of 24.1 minutes.
Smithfield also offers a wider variety of housing patterns. Public listing examples in the research report range from a 0.25-acre downtown home to a 0.67-acre neighborhood lot to a 2.24-acre property on NC 210, which means you can often find both in-town convenience and more elbow room depending on your budget and goals.
Smithfield Lifestyle Highlights
Smithfield has the strongest amenity base of the three towns. The area includes Smithfield Community Park, and the Buffalo Creek Greenway is a 2.94-mile paved trail linking four parks and two schools. Downtown also includes the Ava Gardner Museum, a historic walking tour, Carolina Premium Outlets, and the Neuse River Amphitheater, according to the research report.
For many buyers, that adds up to more convenience and more to do close to home. If you want a town where errands, recreation, and local attractions are all easier to access, Smithfield is often the strongest fit.
Smithfield School Access
Smithfield has the broadest school menu in this comparison. According to Johnston County Public Schools, South Smithfield Elementary received IB Primary Years Programme authorization in 2025, while West Smithfield Elementary, Smithfield Middle, and Smithfield-Selma High provide additional in-town options, including IB-related programming at the middle and high school levels.
That variety can be helpful if you want more than one campus option within town. Still, school assignment should always be confirmed by address through the district, since Johnston County Public Schools notes that School Finder data can change.
Princeton: Best for a Compact, School-Centered Feel
Princeton tends to appeal to buyers who want a smaller-town setting with a more concentrated layout. It also had the lowest current Zillow typical value in this comparison, which can make it a strong place to start if you are trying to balance space and price.
The housing pattern in Princeton leans more toward small acreage and edge-of-town living. Recent listing examples in the research report include 1-acre, 1.15-acre, and 1.24-acre properties, which suggests a stronger small-acreage feel than Smithfield’s more mixed in-town and larger-lot inventory.
Princeton Daily Life
Princeton feels self-contained in a way that many buyers appreciate. The town highlights a public library with public internet and JobLink access, Ray M. Floors Park, a downtown business-improvement district, and community support through the Princeton Community Alliance.
The research report also notes local stops such as Just Gifts, Milltown Java, and WDW Farm. Altogether, Princeton offers a quieter setting while still maintaining a visible civic core and local gathering places.
Princeton School Setup
Princeton has the most campus-centered school arrangement of the three towns. Princeton Elementary is located at 650 Holt’s Pond Road, and Princeton Middle/High is a combined campus at 101 Dr. Donnie H. Jones Jr. Blvd.
For some buyers, that compact setup is a plus because it makes the town feel more centered around a few key community anchors. As with any Johnston County move, it is smart to verify school assignment by exact address before you buy.
Pine Level: Best for Low-Density Feel and Highway Access
Pine Level often appeals to buyers who want a smaller, lower-density town feel without giving up regional access. The town lists 2,188 residents and 1 square mile of land area, which helps explain why it can feel more intimate than nearby hubs.
Housing in Pine Level also supports that lower-density impression. Recent public examples include 0.34-acre, 0.47-acre, and 3-acre properties, and the town’s 2022 land-use plan describes a future growth pattern built around mostly single-family housing, including 15,000-square-foot RS lots and 1-acre RA lots.
Pine Level Day-to-Day Living
Pine Level has a smaller amenity base than Smithfield, but it remains active. The town highlights water, sewer, police, parks and recreation, garbage collection, and fire service, and its parks and recreation offerings include youth sports, an active senior group, Sam Godwin Recreation Park, school-gym use, and nearby Cardinal Country Club.
If you like the idea of a quieter home base with local recreation and town services, Pine Level may be a strong match. It can be especially appealing if you do not need a long list of retail and entertainment options right in town.
Pine Level School Access
School access in Pine Level is more spread out for older students. Pine Level Elementary is in town, while the schools page lists North Johnston Middle in Micro and North Johnston High in Kenly.
That usually means a longer drive for middle and high school than you might have in Princeton. For some buyers, that is a small tradeoff for the town’s lower-density feel and location advantages.
Commute and Access Differences
If commuting matters, these towns each offer a different kind of convenience. Smithfield’s materials describe it as about 30 minutes from Raleigh, and the research report notes frequent mention of access to the US 70 Bypass and I-95.
Princeton sits about 40 miles southeast of Raleigh along US Highway 70, and the town notes that the corridor is part of the future Interstate 42 route. The related NCDOT upgrade project covers about 6.7 miles, which is useful context if you are thinking long term about access and growth.
Pine Level’s location page says Raleigh is 31 miles away, with US 70 Alt on the south side of town and I-95 about 2.5 miles away in Selma. The same source notes that Princeton and Smithfield are each about 6 miles away, which makes Pine Level especially convenient if you want to stay close to larger nearby towns while living in a smaller setting.
Which Town Fits You Best?
Here is the simplest way to think about it:
- Choose Smithfield if you want the most amenities, the broadest school options, and a wider range of in-town and larger-lot housing.
- Choose Princeton if you want a compact, school-centered town and often see more small-acreage options in your search.
- Choose Pine Level if you want a lower-density feel with strong access to US 70 and I-95.
None of these towns is universally better than the others. The right fit depends on what you value most in your daily routine, your commute, and the kind of property you want.
If you are weighing Smithfield, Princeton, and Pine Level, having a local guide can make the decision much easier. Thomas Parker can help you compare neighborhoods, lot types, commute tradeoffs, and current opportunities so you can move with confidence.
FAQs
How do Smithfield, Princeton, and Pine Level compare on home prices?
- Smithfield’s Zillow typical home value was $289,089 as of January 31, 2026, Princeton’s was $270,616 as of February 28, 2026, and Pine Level’s referenced market snapshot showed a median sale price of $299,900 in October 2025.
Which Johnston County town has the most amenities: Smithfield, Princeton, or Pine Level?
- Smithfield has the strongest amenity stack in this comparison, with parks, a greenway, downtown attractions, outlets, and more everyday services.
Which town offers more acreage: Smithfield, Princeton, or Pine Level?
- Princeton shows a stronger pattern of 1-acre-plus homes in the public listing examples, while Smithfield and Pine Level include both smaller in-town lots and some larger properties.
Are school assignments the same for every home in Smithfield, Princeton, or Pine Level?
- No. Johnston County Public Schools says school assignment data can change, so you should always verify the assigned schools by specific property address.
Which town is best for highway access near Smithfield, NC?
- Pine Level stands out for direct convenience to US 70 Alt and close access to I-95, while Smithfield also offers strong route connectivity and Princeton benefits from the US 70 corridor and future I-42 connection.
