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 seems like residence.” House costs have additionally remained fairly secure over the previous couple of years. In response to Redfin, the median sale worth of a house in Raleigh was round $440,000 in April 2025, a 3.4 % improve from the 12 months prior.

And should you’re not prepared to purchase? You’ll nonetheless possible discover a whole lot on lease; common lease within the capital metropolis is $1,888, 10 % 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 because of their mix of historic allure and fashionable facilities.”

Durham

Raleigh and Durham is likely to be regularly lumped collectively, however, as any resident of both metropolis will inform you, 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 artistic than company. Actual property in Durham can also be extra inexpensive. Whereas the market continues to be aggressive, the common residence worth is simply over $410,000. Moreover, anybody working within the greater schooling, medical, or monetary fields could have strong job prospects in Durham. Duke College, the Duke College Well being System, and Constancy are a few of the largest employers within the space.

Chapel Hill

Should you’re desirous about a small city with a larger-than-life fame, look no additional than Chapel Hill. A part of the Analysis Triangle, Chapel Hill is residence 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 reside music, public artwork, a quaint historic district, breweries, and quite a lot of native eating places. Whereas the housing market is expensive—the median sale worth exceeds $600,000—there are a number of charming small cities simply outdoors of Chapel Hill to contemplate. These looking 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 “strong selection” for many who desire a “mixture of metropolis life and room to breathe.” It’s additionally splendid for frequent vacationers; Charlotte Douglas Worldwide Airport is a serious hub for American Airways. “Charlotte retains pushing ahead. It is bought 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 growth of 2020 and 2021, the housing market hasn’t drastically modified; the common residence worth in Charlotte is simply over $405,000.

Cary

“Cary is a type of locations the place every little thing is simply straightforward. It is secure, well-planned, and constantly delivers on high quality of life. Nice faculties, clear neighborhoods, and the form 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 advanced into a definite vacation spot with its personal distinctive id. 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 outside actions. Contemplating these elements, it could come as no shock that the true property market is somewhat aggressive. House costs have elevated 5.7 % from final 12 months, so count on to pay round $690,000 (the present median worth) in your residence.

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 residence worth is $257,523, and the general price of dwelling is about 9 % 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 give attention to schooling (it’s residence to Wake Forest College), and small-town occasions corresponding 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 mountaineering paths await.

Wilmington

“Wilmington has been on the rise for some time now. You get the seaside, a captivating downtown, and a tempo that’s relaxed with out being sleepy. It is an important possibility if you’d like a life-style improve with out giving up neighborhood or tradition,” says Elliot. The port metropolis is positioned between the Atlantic and the Cape Worry 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 residence worth of $416,708, Wilmington presents extra inexpensive housing choices than a few of the bigger coastal cities close by in North and South Carolina.

Greensboro

“Greensboro presents a snug life-style with a decrease price of dwelling, ample inexperienced areas, and a rising arts and tradition scene,” says Jackson, noting that the common residence worth is about $300,000. Different elements to contemplate 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 engaging because of their community-focused environment and greenery,” she provides. There’s additionally the Greensboro Science Heart, the Miriam P. Brenner Kids’s Museum, and Moist ‘n Wild Emerald Pointe to maintain your entire household entertained.

Fayetteville

Reasonably priced 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 % 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 on the lookout for funding alternatives could also be within the single-family residence and rental market. One other perk of dwelling in Fayetteville? Its proximity to main cities. It’s a few one-hour drive to Raleigh and about 2.5 hours to Charlotte.

Mooresville

Huge-city entry meets lakeside dwelling 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 residence worth is $484,825, although lots of the lakefront properties promote for a lot greater. As a resident, you could possibly 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 outlets and boutiques promoting regionally made wares.