Best places to live in North Carolina
An ideal town or neighborhood looks different for everyone.
Those who can't get enough of the outdoors may prioritize proximity to trails, lakes, and beaches, while parents are looking for places with top-ranked schools for their children. Culture lovers might want to live in a city with museums and art walks, whereas sports fans look for professional or college sports teams nearby.
Stacker compiled a list of the best places to live in North Carolina using data from Niche. Niche ranks places to live based on a variety of factors including cost of living, schools, health care, recreation, and weather.
On the list, there's a robust mix of offerings from great schools and nightlife to high walkability and public parks. Some areas have enjoyed rapid growth thanks to new businesses moving to the area, while others offer glimpses into area history with well-preserved architecture and museums.
Keep reading to see if your hometown made the list.
CORRECTION: A previously published version of this piece, in some cases, incorrectly listed private schools as public schools.
#30. Whiteoak, North Carolina
- Overall Rank: 1,747
- Population: 2,465
- Median household income: $113,216
- Median home value: $423,600 (39% own)
- Median rent: $1,647 (61% rent)
- Top public schools: Ardrey Kell High School (grade A+), Metrolina Regional Scholars Academy (grade A+), Pleasant Knoll Middle (grade A+)
- Top private schools: Providence Day School (grade A+), Charlotte Country Day School (grade A+), Charlotte Latin School (grade A+)
#29. Raleigh, North Carolina
- Overall Rank: 1,683
- Population: 465,517
- Median household income: $78,631
- Median home value: $347,000 (51% own)
- Median rent: $1,371 (49% rent)
- Top public schools: North Carolina School of Science and Mathematics (grade A+), Raleigh Charter High School (grade A+), Green Level High School (grade A+)
- Top private schools: Cary Academy (grade A+), Ravenscroft School (grade A+), Camelot Academy (grade A+)
#28. Piper Glen Estates, North Carolina
- Overall Rank: 1,637
- Population: 7,358
- Median household income: $130,414
- Median home value: $522,560 (89% own)
- Median rent: $2,013 (11% rent)
- Top public schools: Metrolina Regional Scholars Academy (grade A+), Pleasant Knoll Middle (grade A+), Charlotte Engineering Early College (grade A+)
- Top private schools: Providence Day School (grade A+), Charlotte Country Day School (grade A+), Charlotte Latin School (grade A+)
#27. Cornelius, North Carolina
- Overall Rank: 1,612
- Population: 31,396
- Median household income: $107,969
- Median home value: $452,300 (70% own)
- Median rent: $1,483 (30% rent)
- Top public schools: Charlotte Engineering Early College (grade A+), Lake Norman Charter School (grade A), Community School of Davidson (grade A)
- Top private schools: Davidson Day School (grade A+), Cannon School (grade A), Woodlawn School (grade A)
#26. Olde Providence South, North Carolina
- Overall Rank: 1,551
- Population: 4,886
- Median household income: $201,724
- Median home value: $588,325 (93% own)
- Median rent: $2,015 (7% rent)
- Top public schools: Metrolina Regional Scholars Academy (grade A+), Pleasant Knoll Middle (grade A+), Charlotte Engineering Early College (grade A+)
- Top private schools: Providence Day School (grade A+), Charlotte Country Day School (grade A+), Charlotte Latin School (grade A+)
#25. Pinehurst, North Carolina
- Overall Rank: 1,489
- Population: 17,653
- Median household income: $102,917
- Median home value: $385,300 (88% own)
- Median rent: $1,613 (13% rent)
- Top public schools: The Academy of Moore County (grade A+), McDeeds Creek Elementary School (grade A), Pinehurst Elementary School (grade A minus)
- Top private schools: The O'Neal School (grade A+), Sandhills Classical Christian School (grade A minus), Saint John Paul II Catholic School (grade unavailable)
#24. Cotswold, North Carolina
- Overall Rank: 1,468
- Population: 5,355
- Median household income: $113,524
- Median home value: $627,978 (65% own)
- Median rent: $966 (35% rent)
- Top public schools: Metrolina Regional Scholars Academy (grade A+), Charlotte Engineering Early College (grade A+), Socrates Academy (grade A)
- Top private schools: Providence Day School (grade A+), Charlotte Country Day School (grade A+), Charlotte Latin School (grade A+)
#23. Elizabeth, North Carolina
- Overall Rank: 1,456
- Population: 5,791
- Median household income: $86,763
- Median home value: $549,897 (32% own)
- Median rent: $1,535 (68% rent)
- Top public schools: Metrolina Regional Scholars Academy (grade A+), Charlotte Engineering Early College (grade A+), Lake Norman Charter School (grade A)
- Top private schools: Providence Day School (grade A+), Charlotte Country Day School (grade A+), Charlotte Latin School (grade A+)
#22. Wessex Square, North Carolina
- Overall Rank: 1,455
- Population: 6,279
- Median household income: $120,851
- Median home value: $496,810 (78% own)
- Median rent: $1,704 (22% rent)
- Top public schools: Metrolina Regional Scholars Academy (grade A+), Charlotte Engineering Early College (grade A+), Socrates Academy (grade A)
- Top private schools: Providence Day School (grade A+), Charlotte Country Day School (grade A+), Charlotte Latin School (grade A+)
#21. Highland Creek, North Carolina
- Overall Rank: 1,432
- Population: 28,050
- Median household income: $103,141
- Median home value: $308,401 (77% own)
- Median rent: $1,864 (23% rent)
- Top public schools: Charlotte Engineering Early College (grade A+), Lake Norman Charter School (grade A), Cabarrus-Kannapolis Early College High School (grade A)
- Top private schools: Davidson Day School (grade A+), Cannon School (grade A), SouthLake Christian Academy (grade A)
#20. Uptown, North Carolina
- Overall Rank: 1,416
- Population: 7,183
- Median household income: $102,434
- Median home value: $559,997 (16% own)
- Median rent: $1,837 (84% rent)
- Top public schools: Metrolina Regional Scholars Academy (grade A+), Pleasant Knoll Middle (grade A+), Charlotte Engineering Early College (grade A+)
- Top private schools: Providence Day School (grade A+), Charlotte Country Day School (grade A+), Charlotte Christian School (grade A)
#19. Hembstead, North Carolina
- Overall Rank: 1,396
- Population: 3,946
- Median household income: $163,613
- Median home value: $655,979 (76% own)
- Median rent: $1,336 (24% rent)
- Top public schools: Charlotte Engineering Early College (grade A+), Socrates Academy (grade A), Union Prep Academy at Indian Trail (grade A)
- Top private schools: Providence Day School (grade A+), Charlotte Country Day School (grade A+), Charlotte Latin School (grade A+)
#18. Sardis Forest, North Carolina
- Overall Rank: 1,376
- Population: 5,820
- Median household income: $130,311
- Median home value: $439,869 (90% own)
- Median rent: $1,628 (10% rent)
- Top public schools: Metrolina Regional Scholars Academy (grade A+), Charlotte Engineering Early College (grade A+), Socrates Academy (grade A)
- Top private schools: Providence Day School (grade A+), Charlotte Country Day School (grade A+), Charlotte Latin School (grade A+)
#17. Beverly Woods, North Carolina
- Overall Rank: 1,209
- Population: 6,810
- Median household income: $146,919
- Median home value: $609,015 (79% own)
- Median rent: $2,369 (21% rent)
- Top public schools: Metrolina Regional Scholars Academy (grade A+), Pleasant Knoll Middle (grade A+), Charlotte Engineering Early College (grade A+)
- Top private schools: Providence Day School (grade A+), Charlotte Country Day School (grade A+), Charlotte Latin School (grade A+)
#16. Fourth Ward, North Carolina
- Overall Rank: 1,163
- Population: 4,999
- Median household income: $109,114
- Median home value: $378,439 (38% own)
- Median rent: $1,560 (62% rent)
- Top public schools: Metrolina Regional Scholars Academy (grade A+), Charlotte Engineering Early College (grade A+), Lake Norman Charter School (grade A)
- Top private schools: Providence Day School (grade A+), Charlotte Country Day School (grade A+), Davidson Day School (grade A+)
#15. Oxford Hunt, North Carolina
- Overall Rank: 1,146
- Population: 4,639
- Median household income: $110,655
- Median home value: $529,418 (50% own)
- Median rent: $1,578 (50% rent)
- Top public schools: Metrolina Regional Scholars Academy (grade A+), Charlotte Engineering Early College (grade A+), Socrates Academy (grade A)
- Top private schools: Providence Day School (grade A+), Charlotte Country Day School (grade A+), Charlotte Latin School (grade A+)
#14. Boiling Springs, North Carolina
- Overall Rank: 1,113
- Population: 4,622
- Median household income: $90,625
- Median home value: $214,400 (81% own)
- Median rent: $821 (19% rent)
- Top public schools: Thomas Jefferson Classical Academy (grade A), Cleveland Early College High School (grade A), Springmore Elementary School (grade A minus)
- Top private schools: Word of Faith Christian School (grade B), The Village School (grade unavailable), Glenwood Christian Academy (grade unavailable)
#13. Starmount, North Carolina
- Overall Rank: 1,112
- Population: 4,391
- Median household income: $106,630
- Median home value: $364,576 (75% own)
- Median rent: $1,139 (25% rent)
- Top public schools: Metrolina Regional Scholars Academy (grade A+), Pleasant Knoll Middle (grade A+), Charlotte Engineering Early College (grade A+)
- Top private schools: Providence Day School (grade A+), Charlotte Country Day School (grade A+), Charlotte Latin School (grade A+)
#12. Providence Crossing, North Carolina
- Overall Rank: 1,055
- Population: 10,813
- Median household income: $171,799
- Median home value: $533,075 (72% own)
- Median rent: $1,872 (28% rent)
- Top public schools: Marvin Ridge High School (grade A+), Ardrey Kell High School (grade A+), Metrolina Regional Scholars Academy (grade A+)
- Top private schools: Providence Day School (grade A+), Charlotte Country Day School (grade A+), Charlotte Latin School (grade A+)
#11. Freedom Park, North Carolina
- Overall Rank: 1,038
- Population: 2,524
- Median household income: $150,852
- Median home value: $871,557 (79% own)
- Median rent: $1,500 (21% rent)
- Top public schools: Metrolina Regional Scholars Academy (grade A+), Charlotte Engineering Early College (grade A+), Lake Norman Charter School (grade A)
- Top private schools: Providence Day School (grade A+), Charlotte Country Day School (grade A+), Charlotte Christian School (grade A)
#10. Providence Estates East, North Carolina
- Overall Rank: 1,020
- Population: 13,608
- Median household income: $112,327
- Median home value: $428,438 (77% own)
- Median rent: $1,957 (23% rent)
- Top public schools: Metrolina Regional Scholars Academy (grade A+), Pleasant Knoll Middle (grade A+), Charlotte Engineering Early College (grade A+)
- Top private schools: Providence Day School (grade A+), Charlotte Country Day School (grade A+), Charlotte Latin School (grade A+)
#9. Sharon Woods, North Carolina
- Overall Rank: 999
- Population: 4,515
- Median household income: $124,968
- Median home value: $415,660 (72% own)
- Median rent: $1,677 (28% rent)
- Top public schools: Metrolina Regional Scholars Academy (grade A+), Pleasant Knoll Middle (grade A+), Charlotte Engineering Early College (grade A+)
- Top private schools: Providence Day School (grade A+), Charlotte Country Day School (grade A+), Charlotte Latin School (grade A+)
#8. Providence Plantation, North Carolina
- Overall Rank: 967
- Population: 9,925
- Median household income: $181,087
- Median home value: $586,851 (88% own)
- Median rent: $1,753 (12% rent)
- Top public schools: Metrolina Regional Scholars Academy (grade A+), Charlotte Engineering Early College (grade A+), Socrates Academy (grade A)
- Top private schools: Providence Day School (grade A+), Charlotte Country Day School (grade A+), Charlotte Latin School (grade A+)
#7. Ashbrook/Clawson Village, North Carolina
- Overall Rank: 837
- Population: 2,765
- Median household income: $83,195
- Median home value: $444,125 (55% own)
- Median rent: $1,290 (45% rent)
- Top public schools: Metrolina Regional Scholars Academy (grade A+), Pleasant Knoll Middle (grade A+), Charlotte Engineering Early College (grade A+)
- Top private schools: Providence Day School (grade A+), Charlotte Country Day School (grade A+), Charlotte Christian School (grade A)
#6. Provincetowne, North Carolina
- Overall Rank: 753
- Population: 21,058
- Median household income: $132,667
- Median home value: $453,733 (73% own)
- Median rent: $2,223 (27% rent)
- Top public schools: Marvin Ridge High School (grade A+), Ardrey Kell High School (grade A+), Metrolina Regional Scholars Academy (grade A+)
- Top private schools: Providence Day School (grade A+), Charlotte Country Day School (grade A+), Charlotte Latin School (grade A+)
#5. Ballantyne West, North Carolina
- Overall Rank: 723
- Population: 14,268
- Median household income: $108,536
- Median home value: $419,348 (51% own)
- Median rent: $1,782 (49% rent)
- Top public schools: Ardrey Kell High School (grade A+), Metrolina Regional Scholars Academy (grade A+), Pleasant Knoll Middle (grade A+)
- Top private schools: Providence Day School (grade A+), Charlotte Country Day School (grade A+), Charlotte Latin School (grade A+)
#4. Cherry, North Carolina
- Overall Rank: 684
- Population: 1,483
- Median household income: $71,278
- Median home value: $519,659 (36% own)
- Median rent: $1,551 (64% rent)
- Top public schools: Metrolina Regional Scholars Academy (grade A+), Charlotte Engineering Early College (grade A+), Lake Norman Charter School (grade A)
- Top private schools: Providence Day School (grade A+), Charlotte Country Day School (grade A+), Charlotte Latin School (grade A+)
#3. Governor's Square, North Carolina
- Overall Rank: 631
- Population: 1,555
- Median household income: $165,313
- Median home value: $464,300 (66% own)
- Median rent: $1,828 (34% rent)
- Top public schools: Metrolina Regional Scholars Academy (grade A+), Charlotte Engineering Early College (grade A+), Socrates Academy (grade A)
- Top private schools: Providence Day School (grade A+), Charlotte Country Day School (grade A+), Charlotte Latin School (grade A+)
#2. Ballantyne East, North Carolina
- Overall Rank: 592
- Population: 9,242
- Median household income: $136,616
- Median home value: $548,670 (53% own)
- Median rent: $1,755 (47% rent)
- Top public schools: Ardrey Kell High School (grade A+), Metrolina Regional Scholars Academy (grade A+), Pleasant Knoll Middle (grade A+)
- Top private schools: Providence Day School (grade A+), Charlotte Country Day School (grade A+), Charlotte Latin School (grade A+)
#1. Dilworth, North Carolina
- Overall Rank: 361
- Population: 10,231
- Median household income: $133,449
- Median home value: $613,509 (39% own)
- Median rent: $1,905 (61% rent)
- Top public schools: Metrolina Regional Scholars Academy (grade A+), Charlotte Engineering Early College (grade A+), Lake Norman Charter School (grade A)
- Top private schools: Providence Day School (grade A+), Charlotte Country Day School (grade A+), Charlotte Latin School (grade A+)
This story features data reporting and writing by Elena Cox and is part of a series utilizing data automation across 42 states.
