With ample employment opportunities, highly rated universities and natural beauty from the mountains to the coast, North Carolina appeals to new residents, and the numbers show it. The Tar Heel State had the third-largest population gain between 2022 and 2023, behind only Texas and Florida.
While North Carolina has seen population growth across the state, some towns stand out among the rest as attractive places to live. The USA TODAY Homefront team ranked 22 cities in North Carolina across 17 metrics to determine which cities are best to call home.
Chapel Hill and suburbs such as Concord and Burlington ranked best, while coastal towns such as Jacksonville and Wilmington ranked among the worst due to the high risk of natural disasters.
North Carolina’s largest cities — Charlotte (No. 20) and Raleigh (No. 19) — ranked lower than their respective suburbs due to higher costs of living and crime rates.
See how analysis of life expectancies, median income, rent and home value, and unemployment rates influence North Carolina city ranking. Once you see which places stand out, you might want to pack up and call a moving company.
Why are people moving to North Carolina?
North Carolina is home to highly ranked universities, medical facilities and major employers, yet jobs aren’t the only thing drawing new residents to North Carolina. The state also has the scenic Blue Ridge Mountains to the west and the beach to the east.
The state has a lower average cost of living compared with the U.S. as a whole, according to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis.
With a net population increase of nearly 140,000 people between 2022 and 2023 according to data from the U.S. Census Bureau, North Carolina is a popular state for newcomers. In fact, Texas, Florida, North Carolina and Georgia alone made up 67% of the United States’ population growth in 2023.
Best cities to move to in North Carolina
We compared 22 North Carolina cities across 17 metrics to rank their livability, health and safety, jobs and economy, and housing. Metrics included factors such as walkability, life expectancy, unemployment rates and rent-to-income ratios.
Chapel Hill, Concord, Burlington, Mooresville and Cary collectively ranked the highest on average across these metrics, while Wilmington, Jacksonville, Charlotte, Raleigh and Fayetteville were at the bottom.
The two largest cities in the state, Charlotte and Raleigh, scored lower due to comparatively higher costs of living and crime than some of North Carolina’s smaller towns and suburbs. For example, Raleigh’s typical rent-to-income ratio (25%) is higher than Cary’s (17%). Raleigh also experienced 29 crimes per 1,000 residents, while Cary only experienced 12.
However, Raleigh still ranks highly on those metrics compared with similarly sized cities across the U.S. The North Carolina capital ranked No. 11 out of 315 for one of the best cities for renters.
5. Cary
Cary is a desirable suburban area outside Raleigh. It’s conveniently close to top employers in the Research Triangle Park and medical facilities such as Rex UNC Hospital. “The SAS Institute is based out of Cary and is consistently ranked as one of the top workplaces in the U.S. for diversity and inclusivity, innovation and for giving back,” said Devon Hawkins, lecturer in economics at Elon University.
Cary attracts residents thanks to top-ranking schools, which scored an 8 out of 10 on NeighborhoodScout. Cary has a relatively low crime rate of fewer than 12 crimes committed per 1,000 residents, according to NeighborhoodScout.
Cary’s typical rent is $1,776 per month, higher than many other parts of North Carolina. However, Cary’s high median income of $125,317 means Cary still has a favorable rent-to-income ratio, and the area has the lowest percentage of rent-burdened residents on our list.
4. Mooresville
Mooresville, a suburban town less than 30 miles north of Charlotte, has the third-highest number of activities per capita (two activities per 1,000 residents). Lake Norman and downtown Mooresville are among the area’s recreational draws.
Mooresville ranks well for affordable housing, with a rent-to-income ratio of 25%. At $2,093 annually, it has the second lowest homeowners insurance premiums in our study.
3. Burlington
A quiet suburban town between Greensboro and Durham, Burlington attracts residents for its lower cost of living and high quality of life. “ Burlington’s typical rent is $1,227, the second lowest in our study. Typical home values are 4.34 times the median income, another indicator of affordability.
Burlington offers more affordability than its more populated counterparts and plenty of options for weekend fun and dining out. It has a vibrant historic downtown and our study ranks it third for restaurants per capita (four restaurants per 1,000 residents), trailing behind Asheville and Wilmington. “Burlington is centrally located, making it easy to access major highways and nearby cities like Raleigh, Charlotte and Greensboro. This logistical paradise is ideal for those who work remotely but need to commute or travel,” Hawkins said.
2. Concord
Concord, another Charlotte suburb, nearly doubled its population between 2000 and 2022, making it the sixth fastest-growing city in North Carolina.
“Concord is such a great city,” said Brigitte Perry, top North Carolina real estate agent with HomeLight. “From the Charlotte Motor Speedway to Concord Mills, Concord has it all — plenty of entertainment, restaurants, shopping and even great schools to boot.”
In addition to offering some of the highest-scoring public schools compared with other North Carolina cities we ranked, Concord is also an attractive place to live thanks to its low crime rate of fewer than 11 crimes per 1,000 residents.
1. Chapel Hill
Home to the UNC Health system and the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill — which claims to be the oldest public university in the U.S. — Chapel Hill is a historic town just west of Durham and Raleigh.
Chapel Hill has a low unemployment rate of 3.1%. The university and hospital system, as well as the nearby Research Triangle Park, collectively employ over 80,000 people. “Chapel Hill is a vibrant, progressive metropolitan area with some of the best schools in the state for children,” Hawkins said.
The area also has the highest life expectancy and number of primary care providers per capita of any North Carolina town, according to our data.
Moving to North Carolina? Here’s what you need to know
Whether you’re making an interstate move or staying within North Carolina, planning is key to a successful move. Review these top tips as you get ready to move.
- Consider the weather and time of year: Summer is a popular time of year to move. Although North Carolina has diverse climates, most of the state experiences hot and muggy summers. Plan your move to avoid the sweltering heat. If you have to move in the summer, start early in the morning.
- Get your car up to speed: Since most areas of North Carolina are car-dependent, a car is essential. Make your appointment in advance to update your driver’s license and plates, as many DMV locations are booked for months.
- Create a list: There are a lot of “to-do’s” to keep track of when you move. Make a list of everything from transferring your utility service and insurance to booking a moving company.
Frequently asked questions and expert insights about the best cities in North Carolina
We asked four experts to share their insights about some of the growing cities in the Tar Heel State.
“The cost of living in North Carolina is lower than the national average, especially compared to those states in the Northeast and West Coast, which allows its residents to stretch their dollars further.
“North Carolina has a low state income tax rate, which is flat at 4.5% for 2024 but scheduled to drop to 3.99% after 2025. The state also boasts competitive property taxes, which are lower than the national average, providing a financial edge for homeowners.”
“North Carolina is a ‘right-to-work’ state where employment is ‘at will.’ The former means that membership in unions cannot be a required condition for employment and the latter means that employers can terminate employees at any time without cause.
“Some studies suggest that weaker unions and at-will-employment allow for faster growth during recoveries from downturns, but for some individuals, these could mean fewer workplace protections and greater uncertainty about long-term job prospects with the same employer.”
“During the pandemic, the unemployment rate remained consistently below the national average and has tracked the national average since November, 2021.
“The state continues to attract companies from several industries including technology, biotechnology, finance and manufacturing, positioning itself for the demographic and technological challenges of the future.
“Additionally, the cost of doing business in North Carolina is relatively low, which encourages both startups and established companies to invest and expand in the region.”
“When it comes to buying a home, understand the difference between economic inflation and appreciation. It’s crucial to choose a location where homes are appreciating in value rather than purchasing a home at an inflated price. Take the time to research local property values and compare them closely with neighboring homes to ensure you’re making a sound investment.
“Investigate the community and neighborhood thoroughly. This due diligence becomes even more critical in today’s market where remote buying is common. While technology can help, nothing beats visiting the area in person or connecting with locals for insights.”
“Beyond the obvious considerations such as housing costs, job opportunities and taxes, consider the potential economic trajectory of the intended location.
“North Carolina has a growing economy and a growing population. Though there are several building and zoning restrictions, many cities are friendlier to new residential real estate than cities in other states.”
“For most cities in North Carolina, inventory is much lower and demand is strong. Homebuyers should not wait too long, as prices are not going to decline anytime soon.”
Best and worst cities in North Carolina (full data)
See how each North Carolina city stacked up, according to our study:
Our methodology
For this study, the research team ranked 22 cities in North Carolina across 17 metrics to determine the best cities to live in.
- Walkability score from Walk Score
- School district ratings on a scale of 1 (low) to 10 (high) from NeighborhoodScout
- Number of restaurants from Tripadvisor per 1,000 residents
- Number of activities from Tripadvisor per 1,000 residents
- Primary care providers per 1,000 residents from U.S. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services
- County-level life expectancies from University of Wisconsin Population Health Institute’s County Health Rankings
- Severe weather events from 2019–2023 National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
- Number of violent and property crimes per 1,000 residents from NeighborhoodScout
- Expected annual loss from natural hazards from Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)
- National Risk Index scores from FEMA
- Ratio of home values for single-family homes, condos and co-ops to median household income from Zillow Home Value Index (ZHVI) and U.S. Census Bureau 2022 American Community Survey 5-year Estimate. Cities are scored based on how close this ratio is to what we define as the “ideal home value ratio” of 2.5 value to income.
- Ratio of typical rent for all home types to median income from Zillow Observed Rent Index (ZORI) and U.S. Census Bureau 2022 American Community Survey 5-year Estimate
- Percentage of renters who pay more than 30% of income to rent (“rent burdened”) from U.S. Census Bureau 2022 American Community Survey 5-year Estimates
- Median annual homeowners insurance premiums from Quadrant
- Unemployment rates at the county level from NC Department of Commerce
- Regional price parity: Values are a percentage of the overall national price level (a lower value is better) from U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis
- Percentage of the population with a bachelor’s degree from U.S. Census Bureau 2022 American Community Survey 1-year Estimates
For some metrics, data was only available at the county level.
Data used from Quadrant is representative of publicly sourced data and should not be interpreted as bindable quotes.
Questions about our study? Please contact Homefront at press@homefront.usatoday.com.
Reference policy
We encourage journalists to share our findings on the best cities in North Carolina. If you choose to do so, please link back to our original story and credit USA TODAY Homefront for the research.
Find local pros in the best North Carolina cities
Editorial note: The name “Homefront” refers to the alliance between USA TODAY and Home Solutions that publishes review, comparison, and informational articles designed to help USA TODAY readers make smarter purchasing and investment decisions about their home. Under the alliance, Homefront provides and publishes research and articles about home service and home improvement topics.
Homefront has an affiliate disclosure policy. The opinions, analyses, reviews or recommendations expressed in this article are those of the Homefront editorial staff alone (see About Homefront). Homefront adheres to strict editorial integrity standards. The information is believed to be accurate as of the publish date, but always check the provider’s website for the most current information.
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