Article Overview: Best Places to Live in North Carolina

If you’re looking to make a move to one of the best places to live in North Carolina you’ve come to the right place! As a long time resident I’ve come to know the state quite well.

And while North Carolina isn’t for everyone but I’d say there’s a place here for most people. But have no fear, this list of the best places to live in North Carolina is based on more than just a gut feeling.

For this list of the best places to live in North Carolina I’ve ranked cities based on a number of criteria and included important statistics for each including:

Population
Median Age
Median Home Price
Median Income
Cost of Living
Unemployment Rate
City Walkability
Rainfall
Sunshine

Ready to get started? Let go!

Note: This post is part of the Best Places to Live Series, wherein locals share honest insights of the things they like (and dislike) about living in different places. If you’d like to reach out to the author directly with questions, please do so in the comments below and our team will ensure it gets to the right person.

Best Places to Live in North Carolina

Table of Contents: Best Places to Live in North Carolina

Best Places to Live in North Carolina

5 Best Large Cities in North Carolina

Beaches, sports events, and barbecue—these big cities in North Carolina have it all. For the purposes of this article, I’m considering any city with a population over 100,000 as large.

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.

But between the amazing craft beers I have to sample every time I stop by and the 12,000 acres of parks inside the city limits, I feel like I’ll never get tired of Charlotte. It’s definitely one of the best places to live in North Carolina for families due to the museums and highly rated school systems, but singles and younger adults will also love the nightlife and opportunities for dating.

Despite great job growth and the size of the metropolitan area, houses here are also surprisingly affordable with a median price of only $377,000 and an average rent of $1,999.

Moving to Charlotte North Carolina — Best Places to Live in North Carolina

2. Raleigh

Population: 469,000
Median home price: $421,000
Average age: 34 years old

Here in NC, we call it the Triangle, but it’s actually the area defined by the space between Raleigh, Durham, and Fayetteville. Whether you’re moving in for a research job or just want somewhere new to explore, I favor Raleigh out of the three cities that make up this area.

High job growth attracts younger people and families, but plenty of people choose this area out of all the cities in North Carolina to retire. A median home price of $421,000 makes it easy to afford a big yard too. For renters, the average rent price is $1,945.

It attracts people from big cities like New York City and Boston because of the mild winters and low cost of living, two things that have attracted lots of my friends from across NC as well.

3. High Point

Population: 112,000
Median home price: $221,000
Average age: 37.7 years old

The smallest big city on my list, High Point, is known as the furniture capital of the world. Not enough to entice you? Don’t worry, it’s got a lot to offer you, such as some of the lowest median home prices in a large North Carolina city at $221,000 and an average rent of $1,700 a month.

Thanks to its long history of valuing craftsmanship and fine design in furniture, it’s not surprising that I feel like it’s one of the state’s most artistic cities. Lakes and rivers within city limits help you cool off, and I can’t miss out on the city’s dining scene each time I drop by to visit friends.

Put High Point on your list of cities in North Carolina, especially if you’re retiring and want a larger but supportive community to explore.

4. Cary

Population: 168,000
Median home price: $576,000
Average age: 39.6 years old

If Raleigh’s too big and busy for your family, get all the benefits of the area in a quieter city setting with Cary. A lot of my friends consider it one of the very best places to live in North Carolina.

It combines small city beauty and peace with proximity to all the jobs and nightlife you could want from the Research Triangle area. And it’s less than 150 miles to the beach! Sports enthusiasts will love that it’s home to the USA Baseball National Training Complex, but the rest of us can appreciate the fine dining and live music too.

At $576,000 and $2,250, the median home price and average rent are both higher than in other cities, but most residents find it well worth the investment.

5. Greensboro

Population: 295,000
Median home price: $241,000
Average age: 34.4 years old

Greensboro is bigger than most of its residents realize with nearly 300,000 people. It’s one of those cities in North Carolina that feels cozy and close but still gives you plenty of opportunity to date and make new friends.

I love how many young families live here, filling the parks and playgrounds with plenty of laughs. Looking for suburban settings rather than downtown living? You’ll find plenty of it here, and at a price you can afford with a median home price of $241,000. Rent is surprisingly low too at an average of $1,600 a month.

I can’t believe how the city gets 200 days of sunshine a year, making it a great place to get outside in all four seasons.

5 Best Mid-Sized Cities in North Carolina

North Carolina has plenty of fun places to explore and relocate to that I can recommend in the population range between 25,000 and 100,000 residents.

6. Morrisville

Population: 27,000
Median home price: $471,000
Average age: 34 years old

Morrisville is technically part of Raleigh, but it’s separate enough to feel like a town all to itself. Despite being a smaller city, it’s highly diverse, with nearly half of the residents identifying as Asian Indian.

You’ll find that this rapidly growing city has plenty of affordable homes left at a median home price of $471,000 and average rent of $2,200. It’s a 15-minute commute to your job in Cary or Raleigh, but you get quieter streets and the charm you want when strolling the downtown streets.

No need to head to the city just for dining or entertainment either, which makes me consider it one of the best places to live in North Carolina.

7. Chapel Hill

Population: 60,000
Median home price: $582,000
Average age: 25.2 years old

Looking for cities in North Carolina with a younger population? Chapel Hill definitely qualifies since it’s the state’s primary college town. Bars and clubs keep everybody jumping, but I love all the little bookshops, cozy coffee shops, and unique art galleries you can find here.

It has the culture you want with a smaller population, making it a great alternative to the rest of the Raleigh-Durham area. Short commutes attract workers from all over, even though the median home price is $582,000 and rent averages around $1,950.

As you would expect from a community anchored by major colleges like the University of North Carolina, it has great K-12 schools as well. The high school is rated as the 7th best in the entire nation. I think that growing a family or meeting someone as a young professional is easiest in a small city like this one.

8. Asheville

Population: 92,000
Median home price: $449,000
Average age: 39.6 years old

For the artistic or adventurous, one of the best places to live in North Carolina is Asheville. It’s a small but growing city with the beauty of nature spread throughout even its most urban areas. Music, dining, and drinking opportunities abound, and I never get a chance to explore everything I want to see when I visit friends there.

Yet the median home prices are also still affordable at $449,000 or around $2,200 a month for rent. Many people think of Asheville as a young town, but it’s home to plenty of middle-aged professionals and retirees as well.

I keep coming back to Asheville because you can meet new people in any age range and with any interests despite the smaller population.

9. Apex

Population: 54,000
Median home price: $569,000
Average age: 36.1 years old

Living on top of the world is easy when you’re in Apex. You’ll appreciate milder winters and a lower cost of living than in many other cities in North Carolina closer to the mountains. Charming and quaint downtown, it still boasts a growing population with lots of diversity.

The median home price of $569,000 and average rent of $2,300 indicates how much demand is growing here as well. Multiple parks and miles of public trails keep everyone active, and I love how the whole place looks green and covered in flowers in the spring.

You’re only 20 minutes from the Raleigh-Durham Airport too if you’re a big traveler like me. Of all the cities I’ve called home in North Carolina, I liked Apex the best.

10. Gastonia

Population: 81,000
Median home price: $279,000
Average age: 37.8 years old

Gastonia is one of the more well-known cities in North Carolina, despite being smaller than many of the rest. It’s the heart of North Carolina barbecue country and hosts some of the best open-air pits in the world.

You’re conveniently located near Charlotte for jobs, but it’s easy to find suburban homes and wooded lots at a median home price of $279,000 and average rent around $1,650. Plenty of diversity and an overall low cost of living makes this place popular among families and single professionals alike.

I’m always dropping by to hike Crowders Mountain State Park, which gives me an amazing view of the whole area.

5 Best Small Cities in North Carolina

Need a quiet place to relax with under 20,000 residents? North Carolina and I have got you covered.

11. Boone

Population: 18,000
Median home price: $431,000
Average age: 21.5 years old

If only a college town with a real bohemian vibe will do, Boone is my top recommendation. I have to declare it one of the best places to live in North Carolina because of the majestic mountain setting, but it has more to offer than just views.

For the median $431,000 home price or an average rent of $2,500, you gain access to a diverse town with a young and highly educated population that still values its traditions and the history of the region.

It’s quieter and my friends with dogs love how their pups are welcomed at bars and restaurants, but the presence of Appalachian State University keeps things fresh and exciting.

12. Brevard

Population: 7,000
Median home price: $407,000
Average age: 51.4 years old

Quiet, spacious, and friendly, Brevard is a great place to retire if you love the outdoors. Surrounded by the Pisgah National Forest, this small city is packed with opportunities to admire dense forests, trickling creeks, and beautiful waterfalls.

Yet you’ll also find it’s one of the better cities in North Carolina for families as well due to the above-average schools. You’ll never be bored with so many activities and adventures just outside your doorstep. Musicians in particular flock here due to the festivals and educational opportunities, so if you’re better than me at picking a banjo or strumming a guitar, put Brevard at the top of your list.

The median home price of $407,000 or average rent of $2,200 isn’t something I’d sneeze at either.

13. Hendersonville

Population: 15,000
Median home price: $398,000
Average age: 51.2 years old

Small-town living with enough of the city to keep you entertained is the reason I enjoyed my time in Hendersonville.

It’s one of those cities in North Carolina that gets to know you quickly, but it never seems too small or runs out of ways to surprise you. I always drop in at the Mast General Store for old-fashioned candy and a chat, but the restaurants and bars show surprising quality for such a small city as well. It’s definitely a more relaxed town due to the high number of retirees.

But plenty of my friends with kids have chosen to relocate there for safe neighborhoods and seasonal events that everyone can enjoy together, not to mention the median home price of $398,000. The rental prices are even more affordable, with an average monthly cost of $1,600.

14. Hillsborough

Population: 9,000
Median home price: $428,000
Average age: 44.1 years old

Want a slower-growing town that’s still near Raleigh-Durham for top job opportunities? You want Hillsborough, a place I’ve visited quite a few times.

I think it’s one of the best places to live in North Carolina because it’s not too big and it’s not growing too fast. Neighborhoods remain well-planned, with a median home price of $428,000 and average rent around $2,100. Most properties are larger, giving it a green and spacious feel despite being a suburb near a city.

I also can’t get enough of the beautiful Eno River and all the art galleries downtown. It’s also popular with many authors, so you might just run into someone. For a quiet and slightly sleepy Southern town without the long commute to work, Hillsborough gets my thumbs up.

15. Wrightsville

Population: 2,400
Median home price: $1.3 million
Average age: 46.6 years old

Our smallest town of all on the list, Wrightsville is my choice from all the many beach cities in North Carolina. You may have heard of the others in vacation brochures, but Wrightsville is the finest beach town and worthy of full-time enjoyment.

Of course, life on pristine white beaches will cost you, with a median home price of $1.3 million and average rent of nearly $4,000 a month. But if you’re lucky enough to afford it, this beach town provides the very best coastal experience you can find in North Carolina.

Luxury living continues even in the winter here, while fine dining and upscale bars ensure you’re never bored. It’s not strictly a retirement community either as the average age shows.

Best Places to Live in North Carolina FAQ

What are the best places to live in North Carolina for families?

Raleigh: Known for its high quality of life and optimistic employment environment, Raleigh is one of the fastest-growing cities in North Carolina. The Research Triangle Park contributes significantly to the high-paying tech-related jobs in the area. It’s also the state capital.

Wilmington: If you prefer living near the beach, Wilmington is an excellent choice. It’s more affordable than the Outer Banks, and there are several pristine beaches such as Wrightsville Beach and Oak Island. The city also supports non-tourism vocations and has a rich historic district.

Durham: Durham is home to Duke University and the University of North Carolina, making it an excellent place for academics and sports enthusiasts. It’s a hub for tech sector jobs and healthcare with over 300 medical-related companies, earning it the nickname “City of Medicine”.

Charlotte: As North Carolina’s largest city, Charlotte is the financial headquarters for several banks and has thriving healthcare and technology sectors. It offers professional sports, a thriving nightlife, and access to a major international airport for travel.

Winston-Salem: This city is an ideal place for families, with affordable housing and a low cost of living. The Innovation Quarter business development initiative provides a thriving jobs market. There are also several recreational greenways for outdoor activities.

Hickory: Hickory is an affordable alternative to Asheville and Charlotte and is a family-friendly town with a low crime rate and southern charm. It is the gateway to the Catawba Valley and is nestled at the base of the Blue Ridge Mountains, making it a budget-friendly city to enjoy the mountains.

What are the best places to live in North Carolina for retirees?

Asheville: The Gem of the Blue Ridge Mountains

Ah, Asheville. The city that has my heart. I’ve visited a few times and each time I fall in love with it even more. Asheville is nestled in the Blue Ridge Mountains and has a laid-back, artsy vibe that’s hard not to like.

The city is known for its vibrant art scene and historic architecture like the domed Basilica of Saint Lawrence. But the real star of the show? The majestic Biltmore Estate, a French Renaissance-style mansion with lush gardens and a winery. Retirement here would be anything but boring!

Wilmington: A Coastal Paradise

If the sea is calling your name, then Wilmington is where you should be heading. This coastal city is known for its beautiful beaches and historic Riverwalk, a boardwalk lined with shops, cafes, and vibrant nightlife. Plus, it’s home to the USS North Carolina, a WWII battleship-turned-museum that’s a must-visit.

There’s something about the salty sea breeze and the laid-back coastal lifestyle that makes Wilmington an ideal place to enjoy your golden years. Plus, did I mention the fresh seafood? You’re in for a treat!

Map of the Best Places to Live in North Carolina

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List of the Best Places to Live in North Carolina

Charlotte
Raleigh
High Point
Cary
Greensboro
Morrisville
Chapel Hill
Asheville
Apex
Gastonia
Boone
Brevard
Hendersonville
Hillsborough
Wrightsville

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