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U.S. News & World Report ranked the Best Places to Live in North Carolina based on what matters most so you can make informed decisions.
- Raleigh & Durham, NC
Also, the area has the most live music venues in North...
- Pictures of Asheville, NC
Browse 29 photos of Asheville, NC, city landmarks,...
- Pictures of Greensboro, NC
Browse 27 photos of Greensboro, NC, city landmarks,...
- Pictures of Charlotte, NC
Browse 17 photos of Charlotte, NC, city landmarks,...
- Pictures of Hickory, NC
Browse 56 photos of Hickory, NC, city landmarks,...
- Winston-Salem, NC
Although the city is traditionally Southern in its...
- Raleigh & Durham, NC
- Asheville
- Hickory
- Greenville
- Winston-Salem
- Charlotte
- Durham
- Wilmington
- Raleigh
- Our Methodology
Asheville is the most prominent city in western North Carolina that balances its Appalachian history with an eclectic, modern vibe emphasizing sustainable living. Outdoors enthusiasts will love hiking in the mountains, searching for waterfalls and driving the Blue Ridge Parkway during peak fall season. The city is also home to the Biltmore Estate a...
Hickory is an affordable alternative to Asheville and Charlotte while approximately one hour from either city. The town derives its name from the Hickory Tavern, an inn built under a hickory tree in the 1850s that eventually had a thriving community spring up around it. The city is the gateway to the Catawba Valley and is nestled at the base of the...
Home to East Carolina University and an impressive medical center that doubles as a teaching hospital, Greenville is a thrilling college town with exciting social activities during the year for students and citizens. For example, the city is home to the popular PirateFest, which can range up to eight city blocks with swashbuckling fun. There are se...
Winston-Salem is one of the best places to live in North Carolina for families as the metro area has affordable housing and a low cost of living. The Innovation Quarter business development initiative also provides a thriving jobs market with various offices and labs. There are also several recreational greenways for exercising outdoors. You can re...
Charlotte is the financial headquarters for several banks and is North Carolina’s largest city. Healthcare and technology are also thriving employment sectors. The “Queen City” has it all for young professionals, families and retirees. Residents can enjoy professional sports and a thriving nightlife, and they also have access to a major internation...
The Durham and Chapel Hill area’s claim to fame might be Duke University and the University of North Carolina. These two universities are desirable institutions to attend, and both schools have an enduring basketball legacy. This area also competes with nearby Raleigh for lucrative tech sector jobs. Healthcare is a vital source of employment, too, ...
Wilmington is one of the best places to live in North Carolina near the beach as it is more affordable than the Outer Banks, which is the state’s most popular coastal vacation spot. There are several pristine beaches—such as Wrightsville Beach and Oak Island—for time in the sand and sun. The seaport city has plenty of industry that can support perm...
There are many favorable factors that could make Raleigh a great place to settle down, including a high quality of life and an optimistic employment environment. The Research Triangle Park has also helped bring high-paying tech-related jobs to the area from employers like MetLife, Citrix and RedHat. As you might expect from these tailwinds, Raleigh...
We compared the various North Carolina metro cities using data from several platforms to measure variable criteria for home affordability, healthy employment, population growth and crime rate. The comparison criteria and corresponding sources include: 1. Population: U.S. Census Bureau, July 2021 2. Median home price: Realtor.com, August 2022 3. Cos...
People also ask
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- Apex. Imagine a place where the charm of small-town living meets modern amenities. Welcome to Apex, a gem that effortlessly combines the two. With its historic downtown and top-rated schools, it’s no wonder Apex is often considered one of the best places to live in North Carolina.
- Asheville. Step into a world where creativity reigns supreme. Asheville is the artistic heartbeat of North Carolina, a city that thrives on self-expression.
- Cary. Welcome to the future, where technology and community coalesce. Cary is a tech-savvy town that’s part of the Research Triangle, making it one of the best areas to live in North Carolina for those in STEM fields.
- Chapel Hill. Step into a realm where intellect and culture are the stars of the show. Chapel Hill, home to the University of North Carolina, is a cerebral haven that’s also one of the best cities to live in North Carolina.
- Cary. Suburb of Raleigh, NC. Rating 4.21 out of 5 518 reviews. Current Resident: I absolutely love Cary, North Carolina.
- Morrisville. Suburb of Raleigh, NC. Rating 4.28 out of 5 81 reviews. Current Resident: Morrisville is great place to live.
- Dilworth. Neighborhood in Charlotte, NC. Rating 5 out of 5 2 reviews. Current Resident: Absolutely love this community.
- Davidson. Suburb of Charlotte, NC. Rating 4.47 out of 5 38 reviews. Current Resident: Davidson is such a nice place to live.
- Davidson. 15,199. 1 $624,402. $140,938.
- Cary. 174,880. 2 $600,101. $125,317. 3.4%
- Apex. 65,541. 3 $591,542. $129,688. 4.1%
- Morrisville. 29,756. 4 $486,190. $114,075.
Jan 1, 2024 · Charlotte, also known as the “Queen City,” is one of the best places to live in North Carolina. Charlotte is the biggest city in the state. It has a rich arts and culture scene, lively sports and entertainment (it’s home to the Carolina Panthers!), and great job opportunities.
Mar 13, 2024 · 1. Charlotte. Population: 870,000. Median home price: $377,000. Average age: 34.4 years old. Want a big city with lots of diversity and four beautiful seasons to enjoy? I can’t say enough about Charlotte. It’s North Carolina’s biggest city, so of course it has all the hassles you’d find in any big city.
