Best Places to Live in North Carolina

Want vibrant cities, down-home vibes and super cool jobs? Head to North Carolina!

This state is hoppin’. It’s got old-fashioned southern charm and modern business sense. And with its sports teams, historic sites, art scene and foodie culture (mmm, barbecue), North Carolina’s got something for everyone.

Whether you want to live in a cutting-edge city or you’re looking for a small town to raise your family in, we’ll show you nine of the best places to live in North Carolina.

9 Best Places to Live in North Carolina

First, let’s clear something up: What makes a city the best place to live depends on what you’re looking for. So be sure to think about what you need and want in a new city.

The great thing is, North Carolina’s got three unique geographic areas: the mountains, coastal plains and Piedmont. So if you love the beach, enjoy fresh mountain air, or want the best of both worlds, you can narrow down your search pretty easily.

All of that sounding good? We know—it’s a tough choice! We’ll help you compare the top places to live in North Carolina so you can better decide what’s right for you.

1. Raleigh

The state capital is the place to be for professionals and people who want to change the world. It’s the second-highest paying city on our list and it’s part of The Triangle, three cities that are famous for scientific research. It’s a growing tech hub—even Apple is moving in.¹ And the economy survived the pandemic in surprisingly good shape.²

Raleigh has awesome food, art and music scenes. So you can get dinner with friends, hit up a local gallery, and then hop over to a music festival for some rock, bluegrass or even opera. You can also catch a pro hockey game or check out the local museums. (That’ll take a while—there are tons of them.) Or visit the Historic Oakwood neighborhood to take in Raleigh’s natural beauty and history.

Some of the best places to live in North Carolina for families are near Raleigh, like the suburbs of Morrisville and Cary. They’ll put you in commuting distance of downtown while giving you a smaller town feel. The downside to Raleigh? High housing prices! This city has the highest rent on our list (womp, womp). And home prices can be pretty steep too.

Region	Piedmont
Nicknames	City of Oaks Smithsonian of the South
Metro Area Population*	1.4 million3
Median Annual Income	$67,2664
Median Home Price	$419,9005
Median Rent**	$1,4546
Average Annual Rainfall	46.1”7
Famous University	North Carolina State University
Features	Family-friendly suburbs, major employers, museums galore, and beautiful natural and historic sites

^{*Metro Area Populations include the city and surrounding urban and suburban areas.
**Median Monthly Rents refer to two-bedroom apartments.}

2. Charlotte

The Queen City was named after a British queen consort who reigned back when Charlotte was built in 1768. And it’s just as classy as its namesake. Charlotte has stunning natural scenery, like Lake Norman, and vibrant neighborhoods. (Just don’t confuse Downtown and Uptown—it makes the locals mad.)  

Find expert agents to help you buy or sell a home.

With so many unique neighborhoods, you’re sure to find one that’s a great fit for you—and your family. Locals have rated Ballantyne East, Ballantyne West and Providence Crossing some of the best places to live in North Carolina for families.

And don’t let Charlotte’s old-world charm fool you! The biggest city on our list is home to 10 companies on the Fortune 1000 list.⁸ And it’s got a killer craft beer scene to go with its pro sports teams, the Carolina Panthers and Charlotte Hornets. Don’t like organized sports? The U.S. National Whitewater Center is in Charlotte—and it doesn’t get any less organized than zipping down a river in a rubber raft!

Region	Piedmont
Nickname	The Queen City
Metro Area Population	2.6 million9
Median Annual Income	$62,81710
Median Home Price	$395,00011
Median Rent	$1,27912
Average Annual Rainfall	43.3”13
Famous University	University of North Carolina Charlotte
Features	Diverse and vibrant neighborhoods, Fortune 1000 companies, pro sports teams, and lakes and rivers for water lovers

3. Chapel Hill

The second point in The Triangle, Chapel Hill is smaller than Raleigh or Charlotte. You might enjoy its small city vibes—and you can definitely enjoy the fact that it’s got the highest yearly income!

Chapel Hill is considered one of the best college towns in the country.¹⁴ And it’s a great place to raise a family. Author William Meade Prince called this town “The Southern Part of Heaven” because he loved growing up there.

One heavenly thing about Chapel Hill: It’s environmentally friendly! With so many public transit systems, bike paths and greenways, only about half of residents drive their own cars to work.¹⁵ Plus, you can enjoy breathtaking seasonal scenery thanks to the city’s many arboretums and gardens.

Region	Piedmont
Nickname	The Southern Part of Heaven
Metro Area Population	644,36716
Median Annual Income	$73,61417
Median Home Price	$465,99118
Median Rent	$1,36219
Average Annual Rainfall	44.7”20
Famous University	University of North Carolina Chapel Hill
Features	Smaller metro area, high yearly salaries, a strong educational community and eco-friendly transportation

4. Winston-Salem

Winston-Salem started as two towns that later became one. Both towns had a long history in the tobacco industry, but these days, Winston-Salem is known for healthier things.

The city is home to sites like the West End Historic District and Historic Bethabara Park, as well as museums—like its children’s museum, art museums and Winston Cup museum (we see you, NASCAR fans).

Another thing you may enjoy? Affordable housing! The median home price in Winston-Salem is $103,000 lower than the national median price.²¹ You’ll also see lower rents than in the big cities. And Winston-Salem is in the western Piedmont . . . close to those beautiful Carolina mountains.

Region	Piedmont
Nickname	The Camel City
Metro Area Population	676,00822
Median Annual Income	$45,75023
Median Home Price	$272,50024
Median Rent	$1,05025
Average Annual Rainfall	43.9”26
Famous University	Wake Forest University
Features	Relatively low housing prices, historic sites and museums, and near the mountains

5. Durham

Like Winston-Salem, Durham started in the tobacco industry. But now it’s better known as the third point of The Triangle, and its biggest employers are banks and medical companies. Much of Durham’s medical system belongs to Duke University. Duke also runs family-friendly nature centers like Duke Forest and Duke Lemur Center, which helps save endangered animals.

You can also enjoy all sorts of festivals in Durham—every year, it hosts the Bull City Food & Beer Experience, Bull City Rumble motorcycle rally, and several art, film and holiday festivals.

Now, you may notice Durham’s population and housing prices are the same as Chapel Hill’s. That’s because these cities are part of the same statistical area. But while the cost of housing is similar, salaries tend to be lower in Durham. That may affect whether you look for a job in the city or commute to a nearby town that pays better.  

Region	Piedmont
Nickname	The Bull City The City of Medicine
Metro Area Population	644,36727
Median Annual Income	$58,90528
Median Home Price	$465,99129
Median Monthly Rent	$1,36230
Average Annual Rainfall	44.7”31
Biggest University	Duke University
Features	Excellent medical and research system, unique annual festivals, and fun nature and science centers for families

Any of these cities catching your eye? Before you pack your bags, get our free relocation guide so you can be prepared for your next big move.

6. Wilmington

Located in southeast North Carolina, Wilmington is right by the Atlantic Ocean and Outer Banks. (Visit these islands, and you just might see some wild horses!) It also boasts the Cape Fear Riverwalk, so you can enjoy the water while keeping dry land under your feet.

Like most North Carolinians, people in Wilmington value history. This city has several colonial sites, and World War II buffs can climb aboard the U.S.S. North Carolina battleship. Or for a modern take on the town, visit the aquarium, beach boardwalks and locally owned shops and restaurants. If you’re lucky, you may even stumble onto a movie set.

The downside to beachside living is you’ll pay beachside prices. Wilmington has the second most expensive homes on our list—and the third lowest income. If you’re moving here, figure out exactly how much house you can afford before you take the plunge. Oh, and pack a raincoat—Wilmington is the rainiest city in our countdown!

Region	Coastal Plains
Nickname	Port City Hollywood East
Metro Area Population	297,53332
Median Annual Income	$47,58033
Median Home Price	$465,42434
Median Monthly Rent	$1,30335
Average Annual Rainfall	55.2”36
Famous University	University of North Carolina Wilmington
Features	Beachside living, mixed colonial and modern history, natural areas and water for outdoor enthusiasts, and great shopping and dining

7. Asheville

We already named Asheville one of our top cities to retire to, so it’s no wonder it’s also one of the best places to live in North Carolina!

Asheville sits high up in the Blue Ridge Mountains, so outdoor enthusiasts can enjoy waterfalls, hiking trails and wildlife. There’s a wild art scene too. You’ll find dozens of studios and galleries, especially in the River Arts District. You can also visit Asheville’s 100-plus craft breweries (just not all at once).

Of course, mountain towns are like beach towns: expensive! Asheville has the highest home prices on our list. But the median income is well below the national average.³⁷ So you’ll want to check your budget carefully before moving here.

Region	Mountains
Nickname	Beer City USA Land of the Sky
Metro Area Population	462,68038
Median Annual Income	$49,93039
Median Home Price	$479,98540
Median Monthly Rent	$1,17441
Average Annual Rainfall	45.6”42
Famous University	University of North Carolina Asheville
Features	Craft beer and art, relatively low rent, and stunning natural areas for wildlife lovers, skiers, and outdoor enthusiasts

8. Hickory

Hickory is one of the best places to live in North Carolina for families. It’s a three-time All-America City.⁴³ And even though it’s next to the Blue Ridge Mountains, Hickory has some of the lowest housing prices on our countdown. 

It’s also one of the smallest towns on our list: The metro population covers three whole counties, so there’s still plenty of undeveloped land if you want space. It’s also pretty quiet . . . except on race night!

This river town is home to the famous Hickory Motor Speedway, where NASCAR legends like Richard Petty and Dale Earnhardt learned how to race. (Bonus: Since NASCAR started with bootleggers running moonshine, you can sample the brew here.)

Region	Mountains
Nickname	The Birthplace of NASCAR Stars
Metro Area Population	369,71144
Median Annual Income	$47,65245
Median Home Price	$275,00046
Median Monthly Rent***	$73447
Average Annual Rainfall	45.2”48
Famous University	Lenoir-Rhyne University
Features	Low housing costs, small-town living with a down-home feel, and near the mountains

^{***This number comes from 2015–2019 census data, so it’s not as up-to-date as other rent prices in our list. Rents in Hickory have likely gone up since 2019. But based on current population and home price data, it’s still likely cheaper than renting in a bigger city.}

9. High Point

High Point’s motto is “Make yourself at home” . . . which may be why the city has over 100 furniture stores! (Fun fact: It’s also home to the world’s largest chest of drawers.)⁴⁹

Like most North Carolinians, the people of High Point love food and sports. You can enjoy local restaurants—including some dog-friendly ones—and catch a pro baseball game. Or tour the city’s museums to learn about its history in jazz and the Underground Railroad.

While High Point is in the Piedmont, it’s a smaller metro area with the lowest housing costs in our countdown. High Point is also smack in the middle of North Carolina—putting you in easy driving distance of the beach and mountains. So if you’re looking for a great location on a budget, High Point could be for you!

Region	Piedmont
Nickname	Home Furnishings Capital of the World™
Metro Area Population	771,85150
Median Annual Income	$47,23451
Median Home Price	$266,50052
Median Monthly Rent	$1,16853
Average Annual Rainfall	45.2”54
Famous University	High Point University
Features	Relatively low housing costs, central location near major metros, and tons of shopping

Ready to Move to North Carolina? 

Whether you’re moving from another state or you already call North Carolina home and you’re just switching towns, you need an expert real estate agent to help you make the move. We recommend partnering with a RamseyTrusted® agent. These top-performing real estate agents can help you find the best place to live in North Carolina. From finding a great neighborhood for your family to picking the perfect house (or helping sell your old one), they’ll walk you through the whole process. And these guys and gals are RamseyTrusted—so they always put serving ahead of selling. 

Ready to get started? Connect with a RamseyTrusted agent in North Carolina!