10 Finest Locations to Reside in North Carolina

Raleigh

“Raleigh simply works. It is rising quick, however nonetheless has a grounded, approachable really feel. Between the tech jobs, parks, occasions, and meals, there’s something for everybody,” Steven David Elliot of Fathom Realty tells Journey + Leisure. “Folks come for the alternatives and keep as a result of it looks like dwelling.” Dwelling costs have additionally remained fairly steady over the previous couple of years. In keeping with Redfin, the median sale value of a house in Raleigh was round $440,000 in April 2025, a 3.4 p.c improve from the yr prior.

And for those who’re not prepared to purchase? You’ll nonetheless probably discover a whole lot on hire; common hire within the capital metropolis is $1,888, 10 p.c decrease than the nationwide common. Juanita Corry Jackson of Juanita Jackson Realty recommends beginning your search within the North Hills and Oakwood neighborhoods, which she says are “gaining recognition as a result of their mix of historic allure and fashionable facilities.”

Durham

Raleigh and Durham could be continuously lumped collectively, however, as any resident of both metropolis will let you know, they’re decidedly completely different. Durham is smaller—with a inhabitants of round 290,000 in comparison with about 482,000 in Raleigh—and its tradition leans extra inventive than company. Actual property in Durham can also be extra inexpensive. Whereas the market remains to be aggressive, the common dwelling worth is simply over $410,000. Moreover, anybody working within the greater schooling, medical, or monetary fields may have stable job prospects in Durham. Duke College, the Duke College Well being System, and Constancy are among the largest employers within the space.

Chapel Hill

In case you’re concerned with a small city with a larger-than-life repute, look no additional than Chapel Hill. A part of the Analysis Triangle, Chapel Hill is dwelling to the College of North Carolina—however there’s much more to it than school life. This can be a vacation spot the place residents get pleasure from dwell music, public artwork, a quaint historic district, breweries, and a wide range of native eating places. Whereas the housing market is costly—the median sale value exceeds $600,000—there are a number of charming small cities simply outdoors of Chapel Hill to think about. These searching for extra inexpensive costs ought to go searching Mebane, Hillsborough, or Pittsboro; every is lower than a 30-minute drive from downtown Chapel Hill.

Charlotte

Elliot calls Charlotte a “stable alternative” for many who need a “mixture of metropolis life and room to breathe.” It’s additionally preferrred for frequent vacationers; Charlotte Douglas Worldwide Airport is a significant hub for American Airways. “Charlotte retains pushing ahead. It is received severe momentum, nice job alternatives, a powerful cultural scene, and neighborhoods like South Finish and NoDa that hold getting higher,” he says. After the true property increase of 2020 and 2021, the housing market hasn’t drastically modified; the common dwelling worth in Charlotte is simply over $405,000.

Cary

“Cary is a kind of locations the place all the pieces is simply straightforward. It is protected, well-planned, and constantly delivers on high quality of life. Nice colleges, clear neighborhoods, and the sort of quiet confidence that makes it a no brainer for households,” says Elliot. Whereas it was as soon as thought-about a suburb of Raleigh, Cary has developed into a definite vacation spot with its personal distinctive id. Residents get pleasure from a dynamic arts and tradition scene and top-tier eating, and the comparatively new Downtown Cary Park serves as a central gathering house for occasions and outside actions. Contemplating these components, it might come as no shock that the true property market is moderately aggressive. Dwelling costs have elevated 5.7 p.c from final yr, so anticipate to pay round $690,000 (the present median value) to your dwelling.

Winston-Salem

Winston-Salem is about as well-rounded a vacation spot as they arrive, but it surely’s nonetheless on the extra inexpensive facet. The common dwelling worth is $257,523, and the general price of residing is about 9 p.c under the nationwide common. When you’ve secured your lodging and made the massive transfer to the realm, you can begin specializing in what else makes Winston so nice: its quite a few parks and 25 miles of greenways, a concentrate on schooling (it’s dwelling to Wake Forest College), and small-town occasions similar to film nights and festivals. Plus, you’re inside driving distance of the Blue Ridge Parkway and the Appalachian Path, the place scenic views and mountain climbing paths await.

Wilmington

“Wilmington has been on the rise for some time now. You get the seaside, an enthralling downtown, and a tempo that’s relaxed with out being sleepy. It is a fantastic possibility in order for you a way of life improve with out giving up neighborhood or tradition,” says Elliot. The port metropolis is situated between the Atlantic and the Cape Concern River, so it’s a beautiful spot for anybody who needs to spend their free time on or close to the water—boating, fishing, swimming, and so forth. With a median dwelling worth of $416,708, Wilmington gives extra inexpensive housing choices than among the bigger coastal cities close by in North and South Carolina.

Greensboro

“Greensboro gives a snug way of life with a decrease price of residing, ample inexperienced areas, and a rising arts and tradition scene,” says Jackson, noting that the common dwelling value is about $300,000. Different components to think about embrace its job market—manufacturing is a main trade in Greensboro—and its family-friendly nature. “Areas like Lindley Park and Fisher Park have gotten enticing as a result of their community-focused environment and greenery,” she provides. There’s additionally the Greensboro Science Middle, the Miriam P. Brenner Youngsters’s Museum, and Moist ‘n Wild Emerald Pointe to maintain the whole household entertained.

Fayetteville

Reasonably priced housing is likely one of the greatest advantages of residing in Fayetteville, a 209,000-person metropolis that lies between Charlotte and Wilmington. As of April 2025, the median value was simply $245,000, and hire is 33 p.c decrease than the nationwide common ($1,400 vs. $2,100). Given its proximity to Fort Bragg, the Division of Protection is the most important employer within the space. Fayetteville does expertise army turnover, so these searching for funding alternatives could also be within the single-family dwelling and rental market. One other perk of residing in Fayetteville? Its proximity to main cities. It’s a couple of one-hour drive to Raleigh and about 2.5 hours to Charlotte.

Mooresville

Large-city entry meets lakeside residing in Mooresville. Only a 30-minute drive from Charlotte, Mooresville, or “Race Metropolis, U.S.A”— it’s the situation for a lot of NASCAR and IndyCar races—sits on the shores of Lake Norman. The common dwelling worth is $484,825, although lots of the lakefront houses promote for a lot greater. As a resident, you might spend your weekends boating across the lake, grabbing groceries at Steven’s Nation Retailer & Butcher Store, sipping and strolling within the Downtown Mooresville Social District, or poking across the city’s varied retailers and boutiques promoting regionally made wares.