Want to live in a top North Carolina city? The Tar Heel State is home to a variety of vibrant cities with small-town charm, stunning landscapes, and more. Whether you’re seeking great job opportunities, fun outdoor recreation, or scenic mountain views, North Carolina has the perfect city for you. Here are the eight best places to live in North Carolina!
|
|
Asheville | Chapel Hill | Charlotte | Durham | Greensboro | Raleigh | Wilmington | Winston-Salem |
|
Population |
92,328 |
61,912 |
873,570 |
276,341 |
294,395 |
469,698 |
122,162 |
245,787 |
|
Unemployment Rate |
2.3% |
3% |
3.5% |
3.3% |
4.3% |
3% |
3% |
3.4% |
|
Median Home Price |
$291,800 |
$435,500 |
$235,000 |
$243,000 |
$163,000 |
$266,900 |
$264,600 |
$152,000 |
|
Median Rent Price |
$1,084 |
$1,221 |
$1,185 |
$1,098 |
$893 |
$1,175 |
$1,008 |
$827 |
|
Safer than % of NC Cites |
6% |
66% |
17% |
22% |
13% |
37% |
30% |
5% |
Asheville
Ranked as one of the best places to live in the South and surrounded by the Blue Ridge Mountains, Asheville is a beautiful city with mountain views, has a thriving art scene in the River Arts District, and boasts a great job market. Young professionals can find career opportunities with major employers in Asheville including Mission Health, the City of Asheville, Asheville City Schools, and more. Families with children will appreciate proximity to high-ranking schools like Asheville High School, T.C. Roberson High School, and Martin L. Nesbitt Discovery Academy, while older students can apply to enroll at UNC Asheville—one of the top ten public colleges in the U.S.! Looking for fun things to do in Asheville? Travel into the mountains to explore beautiful gardens and hiking trails, take a carriage ride, stop at the winery, and more at the iconic Biltmore Estate. For family-friendly things to do in Asheville, get up close to Appalachian flora and fauna at the Western North Carolina Nature Center. Take advantage of exciting activities like ziplining, biking, off-road tours, and more at The Adventure Center of Asheville. There are also plenty of restaurants and breweries in Asheville to try! Munch on the Chicken Pesto Stone Hearth Pizza, Southern Fried Chicken sandwich, or the award-winning J.C. Burger from ritzy Asheville restaurant, Twisted Laurel. Savor a Carolina BBQ Burger, the Eel the Love Roll, or The Classic Bento Box that offers both burgers and sushi at The Madness. Or discover why Asheville ranks among the best beer cities in the U.S. when you sample craft beers like Fat Tire Classic Ale, Voodoo Ranger Imperial IPA, or Mountain Time Lager at New Belgium Brewing.
Chapel Hill
One of the three main cities in North Carolina’s Research Triangle, Chapel Hill provides big-city amenities without the big-city hassles. This area offers fantastic job opportunities in fields like healthcare and education, along with a variety of art galleries and museums, gorgeous natural scenery and parks, and more. Residents can pursue a career at some of the best companies in Chapel Hill, including IntraHealth International and CData Software. Another top employer is The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill—the first public university in the country and the institution that helped Chapel Hill become one of the best college towns in the U.S. There are countless fun things to do in Chapel Hill, too! Check out beautiful rotating exhibitions like Durer to Matisse: 400 Years of European Prints as well as thousands of works of art in the permanent collection at Ackland Art Museum. Cheer along with the crowd during a Tar Heels (NCAA D-I) football game at Kenan Memorial Stadium. Spend a weekend enjoying outdoor activities like camping, hiking, paddling, and fishing at Jordan Lake State Recreation Area nearby. And don’t forget to try the wealth of Chapel Hill restaurants and breweries! Reserve a table to enjoy fine dining with dishes like Steak Frites, Croque Madame, and the Omelette aux Champignons at French bistro, Bluebird. Order the Tavuk Sis or Sebzeli Musakka with Baklava for dessert at Talullas, one of the best Turkish restaurants in Chapel Hill. Or watch the Tar Heels game with friends while sipping a Costero Mexican Lager or a Sky Blue Kolsch craft beer at Carolina Brewery’s Chapel Hill Brewpub.
Charlotte
Looking for a charming city that’s filled with outdoor recreation, nightlife, and everything in between? Consider moving to Charlotte, NC, one of the best places to live in the Southeast and a top city for young professionals! Queen City is an economic powerhouse in North Carolina, home to the headquarters of several Fortune 500 companies—including Bank of America, Honeywell, and Duke Energy—and ranking among the top ten cities for economic performance. This vibrant metro also offers endless outdoor activities, with vast green spaces and over 225 miles of park trails to explore! Enjoy live music and an array of local vendors at Festival in the Park, or take advantage of playgrounds, trails, and ball courts year-round at Freedom Park. Steep yourself in Queen City’s strong racing culture at Charlotte Motor Speedway, where you can watch high-octane races, drive a NASCAR race car yourself, or enroll your kids in educational programs like STEAM. Check out rotating exhibits like Becoming Jane: The Evolution of Dr. Jane Goodall, grab a seat to watch a live science experiment, or check out the adults-only Science on the Rocks social event at Discovery Place Science. Don’t neglect Charlotte’s restaurant scene, either! Stop in for meals made with locally-sourced ingredients like the Blue Crab Ravioli, Rohan Duck Breast, and Spiced Apple Cake at CustomShop. Satisfy your tastebuds with the Freebird Bowl, Baked Potato Salad, or the Globe Trotter Wrap while listening to live music at Salted Melon‘s South End location. Or dig in to home-style Italian dishes like Pasta Primavera, Chianti Braised Short Rib, or Pollo Bianco at Mama Ricotta’s.
Durham
Durham, nicknamed “Bull City” in the 1800s, is a vibrant North Carolina city with a rich history, dynamic economy, and ample amenities for military retirees. Durham is a diverse city that displays a commitment to inclusivity, and its “Y’all means All” philosophy has created a welcoming environment for LGBTQ+ residents. Bordering Research Triangle Park and home to Duke University, Bull City is also an attractive area for students and young professionals, with job opportunities in industries like life sciences, education, healthcare, and more. Art and culture are other important parts of the city’s identity, which residents can experience in full at Durham entertainment hot spot, the American Tobacco Campus. If you’re looking for other fun things to do in Durham, there are plenty of options! See live comedy shows like Bob the Drag Queen: This Is Wild! and Craig Ferguson: Pants on Fire, or attend events like the SoJam A Capella Festival or the Family Saturday Series at the Carolina Theatre of Durham. Stroll through the lush Memorial Garden and learn about native plant species at Sarah P. Duke Gardens. Pick up artisanal crafts and fresh produce from local farmers at the Durham Farmers Market. Foodies will also love Durham’s restaurant scene! Stop in for weekend brunch to try the Flapjack “Charcuterie” Board, Chicken and Waffles Skewers, or Garden Omelet at It’s a Southern Thing. Grab a slice of some of the best pizza in Durham, like the Pizza Margherita, NC Yukon Gold Potato pizza, or the New School Pepperoni at Pizzeria Toro. Or chow down the TREYmendous Burger, GRUB Smoked BBQ Ribs, or Mama’s Meatloaf at GRUB Durham.
Greensboro
If you want to relocate to an area known for its Southern hospitality, consider moving to Greensboro! Known as Gate City due to its history as a center for railroads, Greensboro’s convenient location provides easy access to nearby North Carolina metros—and Piedmont Triad International Airport makes your travel options even wider. Students and young professionals can take advantage of Gate City’s variety of educational options, including UNC Greensboro, Greensboro College, and North Carolina Agricultural & Technical State University, which has been ranked the #1 public HBCU in America. You can also find job opportunities at excellent companies headquartered in Greensboro, such as Honda Aircraft Company, Cone Health, Qorvo, and more. Plus, this city provides a vast array of fun things to do! On the hunt for family attractions in Greensboro? Check out the interactive exhibits at Greensboro Children’s Museum and Greensboro Science Center, or take on the exhilarating rides at Wet ‘n Wild Emerald Pointe Water Park. Explore rotating art exhibits like Making Connections: Art, Place, and Relationships or wander through the Weatherspoon Sculpture Courtyard at Weatherspoon Art Museum. Greensboro’s restaurant scene is top-notch, too! Fill up on creative burgers like the Spicy Goat, Pickleback, or College Hill Blues at Hops Burger Bar. Dig in to Mediterranean dishes like the Shish Kabob Platter, Chicken Gyro, and Falafel at Nazareth Bread Company & Restaurant. Or order the Short Rib Sliders, Wood-Fire Grilled Salmon, or Parmesan Crusted Chicken at the upscale Green Valley Grill, which was recently named one of the top local restaurants in North Carolina!
Raleigh
More than just one of the best places to live in North Carolina—Raleigh is one of the best big cities to live in the U.S. and a top city in the U.S. for education! Known as the “City of Oaks” for the magnificent trees lining its streets, the capital of North Carolina is a family-friendly city that’s home to more than 200 parks—including William B. Umstead State Park, which offers hiking, biking, fishing, and other all-ages activities. Raleigh is also a great city for commuters, as the Capital Area Greenway System connects residents to countless city hot spots, and the Raleigh-Durham International Airport provides access to domestic and international travel. The City of Oaks is also part of the Research Triangle, so it’s a top destination for jobs as well, especially in industries like life sciences, financial services, technology, and more. Major employers like Duke Health and the Wake County Public School System provide fantastic opportunities for career growth. In addition, there are all kinds of fun things to do in Raleigh! Sample delicious fair food while enjoying live music and rides at the hugely popular North Carolina State Fair. Hop on the miniature train, ride pedal boats, and explore other family-friendly attractions at Pullen Park, one of the oldest amusement parks in the world. See ever-changing exhibits like Venice and the Ottoman Empire and Park Billboards: Steven Paul Judd, or attend fun events like outdoor films at the North Carolina Museum of Art. Delight in authentic New Orleans-style food like Crawfish Hushpuppies, Gumbo, or Roasted Oysters at one of the best restaurants in Raleigh, St. Roch Fine Oysters + Bar. Or dig in to the Fried Green Tomatoes, Grilled Ribeye, or Spanakopita at Irregardless.
Wilmington
A coastal paradise that balances laid-back Southern charm with exciting activities, Wilmington is a great place to consider living in North Carolina! Sometimes called “Hollywood East” for its active film industry, this city offers an eclectic lifestyle with close proximity to three gorgeous beaches—Wrightsville Beach, Carolina Beach, and Kure Beach. Wilmington’s dog-friendly downtown area is a hub of activity, offering everything from shops and restaurants to museums and more. Additionally, residents can find great job options through major employers in Wilmington like General Electric, University of North Carolina Wilmington, and Wilmington Health. Not to mention, there’s a wide array of things to do in Wilmington for all ages! Take in picturesque views while jogging or riding your bike along the Wilmington Riverwalk, one of best riverwalks in the U.S. Learn about the naval history of WWII or sign up for family-friendly events like Battleship Alive! aboard the historic, nine-level Battleship North Carolina. Stroll through scenic pathways, stop in the seasonal Butterfly House, or attend events like Blooms & Brews at Airlie Gardens. Curious about the best Wilmington restaurants? Try the Calamari, Handmade Agnolotti, and the Mushroom Bruschetta at Circa 1922. Devour unique Wilmington seafood dishes like the Swordfish Schnitzel, Yellowfin Tuna Bolognese, or the Eastern Cioppino at Seabird. Or savor Thai and Vietnamese flavors with dishes like Ayudhya Eggplant, Yum Yum Chicken, and the Panang Curry at Indochine Restaurant.
Winston-Salem
Not only is Winston-Salem an exciting city full of creative energy, but it’s also one of the most affordable places to live in North Carolina! Known for its focus on art and innovation, Twin City is brimming with outdoor art installations, performing arts venues, and museums like the Reynolda House Museum of American Art and the North Carolina Museum of Art, Winston-Salem (formerly known as SECCA). Winston-Salem is also a hub for research and entrepreneurship, with its Innovation Quarter housing a mix of startups, research companies, and co-working spaces. With that—and thanks to colleges in Winston-Salem like Wake Forest University and the University of North Carolina School of the Arts—the city is a magnet for students and young professionals. Winston-Salem also offers fun activities for all! Learn more about the city’s roots by visiting restored buildings and perusing through historic artifacts at Old Salem Museums & Gardens. Relax in the tranquil atmosphere, take in views from the overlook pier, or play frisbee in the open area at The Quarry at Grant Park. Take a self-guided tour of the city’s numerous outdoor art pieces and galleries in the Downtown Arts District. If you get peckish, Winston-Salem’s restaurants have you covered! Stop in for a delicious breakfast of biscuit-based dishes like the Bluebird, Nashville Hot, or Hangover Helper with a Brown Sugar Latte to drink at Krankies Coffee. Try a fusion of Parisian fare and Southern cuisine with dishes like the Escargot a la Bourguignon, Canard au Porto, or Le Burger at The Katharine Brasserie & Bar. Or enjoy the Cab Filet Mignon, Black Pepper Shrimp, or the Brie Stuffed Chicken Breast at Bernardin’s Restaurant.
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