Guide to Best Places to Live in North Carolina
Are you moving to North Carolina? Let's discover the best places to live in NC with information on population, median home price, and average income.
North Carolina continues to attract new residents with its unique blend of natural beauty, economic opportunity, and Southern charm. From the towering Appalachian Mountains to the serene coastline of the Outer Banks, the Tar Heel State offers diverse living experiences for everyone.
North Carolina has become a trendy place to relocate to compared to South Carolina due to its mild climate, affordable housing options, deep history, and abundant job opportunities. Many people are moving cross-country to North Carolina to take advantage of its offerings.
At Raleigh Realty, we've compiled this detailed guide to the ten best places to call home in North Carolina, with insights you won't find in typical relocation guides.
Here are the best cities to live in NC
Raleigh is the state capital and is lovingly referred to as "The City of Oaks." Raleigh has steadily been a hotspot for people to move to for various reasons.
As part of the Research Triangle, which spans from Raleigh to Durham and parts of Morrisville, corporate and smaller IT companies choose to make Raleigh home. Young professionals love living here since it has become a trendy place for employers to search for employees to help support their companies.
Some of the top IT professionals move to Raleigh to allow them a sense of stability in their field in an area booming with IT jobs. In addition, professionals in the healthcare and pharmaceutical fields will find this a very healthy job market with its abundance of hospitals and pharmaceutical companies based in the Raleigh area.
The price of homes for sale in Raleigh is slightly higher than the national average, but the unemployment rate is ranking just below the national average, which is always a good sign.
Raleigh is an excellent fit for everyone with the abundance of housing options, various restaurants, amazing historical sites, collections of art museums, and venues for theater and live music.
The city's greenway system includes over 100 miles of interconnected trails and Raleigh is home to over 200 parks, making this a great place to live for nature lovers.
The North Hills area has seen remarkable transformation, with luxury condos commanding premium prices, while southeast Raleigh is experiencing rapid revitalization with more affordable options for first-time homebuyers.
| Population | Median Home Price | Median Rent | Median Household Income | Unemployment Rate |
| 482,295 | $440,000 | $1,468 | $82,424 | 3.2% |
This seaside retreat may be the ideal match for you if you're looking for that perfect place to call home by the coast. Wilmington tends to be less expensive than areas of the Outer Banks, another popular vacation spot, but it tends to have much more to offer in terms of livability.
This coastal gem combines historic preservation with beach access, making it perfect for those who want both coastal living and cultural amenities.
Wilmington is home to several breathtaking beaches. Some of the most popular include Wrightsville Beach and Oak Island, to name a few. All are great places to check out if you are interested in a vacation home.
Wilmington's historic district offers an eclectic variety of shops, restaurants, and amenities, and much of the city is meant for its permanent residents, lending this to be a better place to call home by the coast as opposed to the coastal towns that are merely known for their tourism during the summer months.
Wilmington's film industry has been so significant that locals call it "Wilmywood." The coastal city hosts EUE/Screen Gems Studios, the largest television and movie production facility east of California.
| Population | Median Home Price | Median Rent | Median Household Income | Unemployment Rate |
| 122,698 | $416,708 | $1,311 | $63,900 | 3.7% |
3. Durham, NC
Fondly referred to as "The Bull City," many residents fall in love with Durham. Durham has many attractive qualities that make this a fantastic city to purchase a home.
Durham is home to Duke University and the Duke University medical facilities. With top-notch healthcare and a rich cultural scene, Durham is at the top of the list of best places to live in North Carolina.
Durham is home to DPAC, the Durham Performing Arts Center. Residents tend to flock to get their theater fix. Memberships are available for those who will frequent DPAC more often, allowing more opportunities to enjoy more of what you love!
For fun, Durham residents often frequent a Durham Bulls game and enjoy the finale firework show during summer. Being part of Research Triangle Park offers tech employees many options to find lucrative income and enjoy living near many major tech companies, just like Raleigh.
Durham's American Tobacco Campus represents one of the most successful adaptive reuse projects in the country, transforming a massive former cigarette factory into a vibrant mixed-use space.
| Population | Median Home Price | Median Rent | Median Household Income | Unemployment Rate |
| 296,186 | $436,000 | $1,412 | $79,234 | 3.2% |
4. Charlotte, NC
"The Queen City" has been a popular place for out-of-state residents to call home for many years. This well-established and sprawling city offers something for everyone.
Charlotte is the headquarters of many different banking institutions and is North Carolina's largest city. Charlotte would be an excellent fit for young professionals looking for a thriving nightlife, families looking for a safe neighborhood with easy access to Uptown, or retirees looking to downsize.
This will also be a good place for you if your profession involves traveling away from home due to the Charlotte International Airport. Hub to American Airlines, you should be able to get to pretty much anywhere from the monumental airport.
Charlotte offers big-city amenities with a manageable cost of living, great employment opportunities, and plenty of southern charm. Areas like NoDa (North Davidson) and Plaza Midwood continue to grow, while University City offers excellent value with easy access to Uptown.
| Population | Median Home Price | Median Rent | Median Household Income | Unemployment Rate |
| 911,311 | $420,000 | $1,504 | $78,438 | 3.7% |
Winston-Salem has become an increasingly popular place for families to call home over the years due to the low cost of housing and affordable housing. The city combines its rich tobacco and textile heritage with forward-thinking development, particularly in the arts and innovation sectors.
With its lush greenways and parks, Winston-Salem is an excellent fit for our outdoor junkies. Many residents enjoy having Wake Forest University in town and often find themselves cheering on the sidelines of sporting events during the weekend.
Immerse yourselves in the culture and history of Winston-Salem with its large variety of museums, art exhibitions, and theaters. This quaint small-town city has so much to offer, which puts this city at the top of our list.
| Population | Median Home Price | Median Rent | Median Household Income | Unemployment Rate |
| 252,975 | $280,500 | $1,033 | $57,673 | 3.7% |
6. Greesboro, NC
As one of the trio of cities making up the Piedmont Triad, Greensboro balances affordability with amenities and history. Considered one of the best places to live in North Carolina, Greensboro offers a dense suburban feel where many families and young professionals flourish.
Greensboro's Woolworth's counter, where the sit-in movement began in 1960, is now home to the International Civil Rights Center & Museum—preserving a critical piece of American history. The city's textile heritage has evolved into a cutting-edge fabric innovation industry, with several companies pioneering sustainable materials for global fashion brands.
The Fisher Park and Irving Park neighborhoods feature grand historic homes, while developing areas like Adams Farm offer modern amenities at moderate prices.
| Population | Median Home Price | Median Rent | Median Household Income | Unemployment Rate |
| 302,296 | $329,000 | $1,114 | $58,884 | 4.1% |
7. Asheville, NC
Asheville has become one of the most prominent areas on the Western Side of North Carolina. This outdoor-friendly, artistic town offers something for everyone.
Because it's so high in demand and interest, the home prices in Asheville are slightly higher than some other towns on our list. But, after you see the beauty of the Blue Ridge Mountains and access to its eclectic small-town charm, you will know why this is one of our top places to live in North Carolina.
You will want to immerse yourself in some of the best restaurants for foodies to try, with unique artwork displays and enough live music to keep your soul alive.
| Population | Median Home Price | Median Rent | Median Household Income | Unemployment Rate |
| 94,992 | $600,000 | $1,303 | $67,221 | 4.8% |
By far the smallest town on our list Hickory offers a happy medium between Charlotte and Asheville. Being only one hour from each respective city, residents choose to call Hickory home for its safe and small-town feel while also being right at the base of the Blue Ridge Mountains.
This has become a very family-friendly city because it is one of the more budget-friendly options in the state while also offering a short trip to Charlotte and Ashville.
History runs through its veins with its iconic Hickory Tavern in town, an inn built in the 1850s under a Hickory Tree; hence, the town's charming name- Hickory.
| Population | Median Home Price | Median Rent | Median Household Income | Unemployment rate |
| 44,415 | $339,000 | $1,402 | $63,361 | 3.7% |
Home to the nation's oldest public university, Chapel Hill combines academic excellence with charming Southern atmosphere and progressive politics. Located about 40 minutes from Raleigh, Chapel Hill is a sought-after area for families and college students.
As one of the best places to call home in North Carolina, Chapel Hill features beautiful real estate and safe neighborhoods. The historic districts near Franklin Street command premium prices, while the Southern Village planned community offers a walkable lifestyle with more reasonable entry points.
Home to the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, the Ackland Art Museum, and the Morehead Planetarium and Science Center, Chapel Hill offers a unique way of life with many fun things to do.
| Population | Median Home Price | Median Rent | Median Household Income | Unemployment Rate |
| 62,043 | $620,776 | $1,483 | $85,825 | 3.2% |
Considered one of the best suburbs of Raleigh, Cary is a rapidly growing area within the region. Often ranked among America's safest cities, Cary provides excellent schools, abundant amenities, and a strategic location within the Research Triangle.
Despite its reputation as a typical suburb, Cary has one of the highest concentrations of technology workers in the Southeast. The town maintains over 80 miles of greenways and has preserved thousands of acres of land amid rapid development, creating an unusually green suburban environment.
When it comes to Cary homes, Preston and Lochmere remain prestigious addresses, while western Cary continues to develop with new communities offering various price points and amenities.
| Population | Median Home Price | Median Rent | Median Household Income | Unemployment Rate |
| 182,659 | $621,500 | $1,621 | $129,399 | 2.9% |
Methodology
To determine the population, median rent, median household income, and unemployment rate of each city, data was sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau and the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
FAQs
What part of North Carolina is the best to live in?
While North Carolina offers many diverse places to live across the state, the Research Triangle area which consists of Raleigh, Durham, and Chapel Hill is considered one of the best parts to live.
Is North Carolina or South Carolina more affordable?
Due to lower overall tax rates and more affordable housing options, South Carolina is slightly more affordable than North Carolina.
Is moving to North Carolina a good idea?
Moving to North Carolina can be a great decision for families, young professionals, and retirees for many reasons. Offering affordability, beautiful real estate, a diverse landscape, plenty of job opportunities, and exciting outdoor activites, it is no wonder that so many people love calling North Carolina home.
Best Places to live in North Carolina - Final Thoughts
With such diverse options across the state, North Carolina truly offers something for everyone. Living in the South can sometimes be criticized for the heat; however, the beauty of living in North Carolina is enjoying all four seasons and having a mild climate overall.
Whether you're drawn to the cultural vibrancy of Asheville, the economic opportunities of the Research Triangle, or the coastal charm of Wilmington, our team can provide personalized insights about the area.
At Raleigh Realty, we specialize in helping clients find their ideal community based on lifestyle preferences, budget considerations, and future goals. Contact Raleigh Realty today to begin your journey home to North Carolina.
