10 Greatest 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.” Residence costs have additionally remained fairly secure over the previous couple of years. In accordance with Redfin, the median sale worth of a house in Raleigh was round $440,000 in April 2025, a 3.4 p.c improve from the 12 months prior.

And if you happen to’re not prepared to purchase? You’ll nonetheless probably discover a whole lot on lease; common lease 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 resulting from their mix of historic allure and trendy facilities.”

Durham

Raleigh and Durham is perhaps continuously lumped collectively, however, as any resident of both metropolis will inform you, they’re decidedly totally different. Durham is smaller—with a inhabitants of round 290,000 in comparison with about 482,000 in Raleigh—and its tradition leans extra artistic than company. Actual property in Durham can be extra reasonably priced. Whereas the market continues to be aggressive, the typical dwelling worth is simply over $410,000. Moreover, anybody working within the increased training, medical, or monetary fields can have strong 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 about 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 faculty life. This can be a vacation spot the place residents take pleasure in stay music, public artwork, a quaint historic district, breweries, and quite a lot of native eating places. Whereas the housing market is costly—the median sale worth exceeds $600,000—there are a number of charming small cities simply outdoors of Chapel Hill to contemplate. These searching for extra reasonably priced 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 “strong alternative” for individuals who need a “mixture of metropolis life and room to breathe.” It’s additionally preferrred for frequent vacationers; Charlotte Douglas Worldwide Airport is a serious hub for American Airways. “Charlotte retains pushing ahead. It is obtained severe momentum, nice job alternatives, a robust cultural scene, and neighborhoods like South Finish and NoDa that hold getting higher,” he says. After the actual 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 type of locations the place all the pieces is simply simple. It is protected, well-planned, and persistently delivers on high quality of life. Nice faculties, 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 of a suburb of Raleigh, Cary has developed into a definite vacation spot with its personal distinctive identification. Residents take pleasure in 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 out of doors actions. Contemplating these components, it could come as no shock that the actual property market is slightly aggressive. Residence costs have elevated 5.7 p.c from final 12 months, so anticipate to pay round $690,000 (the present median worth) on your dwelling.

Winston-Salem

Winston-Salem is about as well-rounded a vacation spot as they arrive, nevertheless it’s nonetheless on the extra reasonably priced facet. The common dwelling worth is $257,523, and the general price of dwelling is about 9 p.c beneath the nationwide common. When you’ve secured your lodging and made the large transfer to the world, you can begin specializing in what else makes Winston so nice: its quite a few parks and 25 miles of greenways, a concentrate on training (it’s dwelling to Wake Forest College), and small-town occasions resembling 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 seashore, a captivating downtown, and a tempo that’s relaxed with out being sleepy. It is an excellent possibility if you’d like a life-style 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 an exquisite spot for anybody who desires 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 provides extra reasonably priced housing choices than among the bigger coastal cities close by in North and South Carolina.

Greensboro

“Greensboro provides a cushty life-style with a decrease price of dwelling, ample inexperienced areas, and a rising arts and tradition scene,” says Jackson, noting that the typical dwelling worth is about $300,000. Different components to contemplate embody its job market—manufacturing is a main business in Greensboro—and its family-friendly nature. “Areas like Lindley Park and Fisher Park have gotten enticing resulting from their community-focused ambiance and greenery,” she provides. There’s additionally the Greensboro Science Heart, the Miriam P. Brenner Youngsters’s Museum, and Moist ‘n Wild Emerald Pointe to maintain the whole household entertained.

Fayetteville

Inexpensive housing is without doubt one of the largest advantages of dwelling in Fayetteville, a 209,000-person metropolis that lies between Charlotte and Wilmington. As of April 2025, the median worth was simply $245,000, and lease 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 navy turnover, so these in search of funding alternatives could also be within the single-family dwelling and rental market. One other perk of dwelling 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 dwelling in Mooresville. Only a 30-minute drive from Charlotte, Mooresville, or “Race Metropolis, U.S.A”— it’s the placement for a lot of NASCAR and IndyCar races—sits on the shores of Lake Norman. The common dwelling worth is $484,825, although most of the lakefront houses promote for a lot increased. As a resident, you may 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.