Cities may have the nightlife, but the convenience and affordability of the suburbs are becoming hot as the millennial generation moves into its homebuying phase. Even before the COVID-19 pandemic shook up workplace norms and superheated the housing market, folks have been flocking away from major urban centers.
In Colorado, for instance, lesser-known suburbs outside of Denver such as Boulder have become magnets for young parents, ranking among the biggest destinations for out-of-state millennials who chose to move in 2023. And companies are taking note of the trend as well: Many are establishing satellite offices and new headquarters in less urban areas.
Stacker compiled a list of the best suburbs to live in North Carolina using data from Niche's 2024 Best Places to Live. Niche ranks places to live based on an array of factors, including the cost of living, educational level of residents, housing costs, and quality of schools.
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1 / 30#30. Black Mountain, North Carolina
- Overall Rank: 1,591
- Population: 8,430
- Median household income: $75,310
- Median home value: $312,700 (63% own)
- Median rent: $1,284 (37% rent)
- Top public schools: Martin L. Nesbitt, Jr. Discovery Academy (grade A), Evergreen Community Charter School (grade A), Buncombe County Early College (grade A)
- Top private schools: Carolina Day School (grade A), Asheville Christian Academy (grade A), Odyssey School (grade A)
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2 / 30#29. Oak Ridge, North Carolina
- Overall Rank: 1,581
- Population: 7,637
- Median household income: $146,131
- Median home value: $484,300 (94% own)
- Median rent: $1,277 (6% rent)
- Top public schools: The Early College at Guilford (grade A+), Early College of Forsyth (grade A+), Weaver Academy for Performing & Visual Arts and Advanced Technology (grade A+)
- Top private schools: Greensboro Day School (grade A+), Caldwell Academy (grade A), Oak Ridge Military Academy (grade A)
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3 / 30#28. Biltmore Forest, North Carolina
- Overall Rank: 1,563
- Population: 1,700
- Median household income: $174,286
- Median home value: $1,174,200 (96% own)
- Median rent: $1,583 (4% rent)
- Top public schools: Martin L. Nesbitt, Jr. Discovery Academy (grade A), Evergreen Community Charter School (grade A), Buncombe County Early College (grade A)
- Top private schools: Christ School (grade A+), Asheville School (grade A+), Carolina Day School (grade A)
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4 / 30#27. Garner, North Carolina
- Overall Rank: 1,444
- Population: 31,684
- Median household income: $77,171
- Median home value: $288,900 (64% own)
- Median rent: $1,371 (36% rent)
- Top public schools: Raleigh Charter High School (grade A+), Wake Early College of Health & Sciences (grade A+), Wake STEM Early College High School (grade A+)
- Top private schools: Cary Academy (grade A+), Ravenscroft School (grade A+), Saint Mary's School (grade A+)
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5 / 30#26. Mars Hill, North Carolina
- Overall Rank: 1,391
- Population: 2,843
- Median household income: $80,833
- Median home value: $290,400 (60% own)
- Median rent: $939 (40% rent)
- Top public schools: Blue Ridge Elementary School (grade A minus), Madison Early College High School (grade A minus), Montford North Star Academy (grade B+)
- Top private schools: Odyssey School (grade A), Temple Baptist School (grade B), Reynolds Mountain Christian Academy (grade C)
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6 / 30#25. Jamestown, North Carolina
- Overall Rank: 1,383
- Population: 3,677
- Median household income: $85,583
- Median home value: $261,400 (78% own)
- Median rent: $1,060 (22% rent)
- Top public schools: The Early College at Guilford (grade A+), Weaver Academy for Performing & Visual Arts and Advanced Technology (grade A+), STEM Early College at Nc A&T. Su (grade A+)
- Top private schools: Greensboro Day School (grade A+), Caldwell Academy (grade A), Oak Ridge Military Academy (grade A)
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7 / 30#24. Concord, North Carolina
- Overall Rank: 1,361
- Population: 105,335
- Median household income: $83,480
- Median home value: $288,100 (69% own)
- Median rent: $1,259 (31% 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), Woodlawn School (grade A)
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8 / 30#23. Royal Pines, North Carolina
- Overall Rank: 1,250
- Population: 4,681
- Median household income: $98,309
- Median home value: $356,900 (86% own)
- Median rent: $1,383 (14% rent)
- Top public schools: Martin L. Nesbitt, Jr. Discovery Academy (grade A), Evergreen Community Charter School (grade A), Buncombe County Early College (grade A)
- Top private schools: Christ School (grade A+), Carolina Day School (grade A), Veritas Christian Academy (grade A)
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9 / 30#22. Stallings, North Carolina
- Overall Rank: 1,203
- Population: 16,193
- Median household income: $99,451
- Median home value: $346,400 (91% own)
- Median rent: $1,736 (9% rent)
- Top public schools: Weddington High School (grade A+), Central Academy of Technology & Arts (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+)
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10 / 30#21. Waxhaw, North Carolina
- Overall Rank: 1,201
- Population: 20,665
- Median household income: $124,711
- Median home value: $448,000 (82% own)
- Median rent: $1,693 (18% rent)
- Top public schools: Central Academy of Technology & Arts (grade A+), Socrates Academy (grade A), Cuthbertson High School (grade A)
- Top private schools: Charlotte Latin School (grade A+), United Faith Christian Academy (grade A), Metrolina Christian Academy (grade B+)
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11 / 30#20. Fuquay-Varina, North Carolina
- Overall Rank: 1,152
- Population: 35,428
- Median household income: $94,142
- Median home value: $364,200 (72% own)
- Median rent: $1,560 (28% rent)
- Top public schools: Raleigh Charter High School (grade A+), Green Level High School (grade A+), Wake Early College of Health & Sciences (grade A+)
- Top private schools: Saint Mary's School (grade A+), GRACE Christian School (grade A minus), Thales Academy Apex JH/HS (grade A minus)
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12 / 30#19. Balfour, North Carolina
- Overall Rank: 1,106
- Population: 1,142
- Median household income: $69,643
- Median home value: $282,300 (68% own)
- Median rent: $764 (32% rent)
- Top public schools: Henderson County Early College High School (grade A), Hendersonville Elementary School (grade A minus), Rugby Middle School (grade A minus)
- Top private schools: Christ School (grade A+), Veritas Christian Academy (grade A), Fletcher Academy (grade A minus)
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13 / 30#18. Clemmons, North Carolina
- Overall Rank: 1,100
- Population: 21,281
- Median household income: $75,667
- Median home value: $285,600 (73% own)
- Median rent: $1,059 (27% rent)
- Top public schools: Early College of Forsyth (grade A+), The Arts Based School (grade A), West Forsyth High School (grade A minus)
- Top private schools: Salem Academy (grade A+), Forsyth Country Day School (grade A+), Calvary Day School (grade A+)
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14 / 30#17. Huntersville, North Carolina
- Overall Rank: 1,023
- Population: 61,202
- Median household income: $112,893
- Median home value: $393,200 (73% own)
- Median rent: $1,624 (27% 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: Davidson Day School (grade A+), Cannon School (grade A), Woodlawn School (grade A)
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15 / 30#16. Lewisville, North Carolina
- Overall Rank: 1,021
- Population: 13,509
- Median household income: $86,641
- Median home value: $256,000 (84% own)
- Median rent: $1,046 (16% rent)
- Top public schools: Early College of Forsyth (grade A+), Ronald W. Reagan High School (grade A), The Arts Based School (grade A)
- Top private schools: Salem Academy (grade A+), Forsyth Country Day School (grade A+), Calvary Day School (grade A+)
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16 / 30#15. Matthews, North Carolina
- Overall Rank: 970
- Population: 29,613
- Median household income: $103,405
- Median home value: $360,000 (67% own)
- Median rent: $1,495 (33% rent)
- Top public schools: Central Academy of Technology & Arts (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+)
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17 / 30#14. Stokesdale, North Carolina
- Overall Rank: 951
- Population: 5,900
- Median household income: $118,159
- Median home value: $323,900 (95% own)
- Median rent: $891 (5% rent)
- Top public schools: The Early College at Guilford (grade A+), Early College of Forsyth (grade A+), Weaver Academy for Performing & Visual Arts and Advanced Technology (grade A+)
- Top private schools: Greensboro Day School (grade A+), Caldwell Academy (grade A), Oak Ridge Military Academy (grade A)
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18 / 30#13. Summerfield, North Carolina
- Overall Rank: 759
- Population: 10,986
- Median household income: $148,182
- Median home value: $455,300 (88% own)
- Median rent: $1,158 (12% rent)
- Top public schools: The Early College at Guilford (grade A+), Weaver Academy for Performing & Visual Arts and Advanced Technology (grade A+), Summerfield Charter Academy (grade A+)
- Top private schools: Greensboro Day School (grade A+), Caldwell Academy (grade A), Oak Ridge Military Academy (grade A)
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19 / 30#12. Harrisburg, North Carolina
- Overall Rank: 663
- Population: 18,934
- Median household income: $134,767
- Median home value: $383,400 (91% own)
- Median rent: $2,094 (9% 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: Cannon School (grade A), Hickory Grove Christian School (grade A), Northside Christian Academy (grade A)
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20 / 30#11. Wake Forest, North Carolina
- Overall Rank: 659
- Population: 48,047
- Median household income: $115,159
- Median home value: $397,300 (73% own)
- Median rent: $1,354 (27% rent)
- Top public schools: Raleigh Charter High School (grade A+), Wake Early College of Health & Sciences (grade A+), Quest Academy (grade A+)
- Top private schools: Ravenscroft School (grade A+), St. David's School (grade A+), Trinity Academy (grade A+)
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21 / 30#10. Weddington, North Carolina
- Overall Rank: 575
- Population: 13,173
- Median household income: $171,810
- Median home value: $674,600 (94% own)
- Median rent: $1,985 (6% rent)
- Top public schools: Marvin Ridge High School (grade A+), Weddington High School (grade A+), Central Academy of Technology & Arts (grade A+)
- Top private schools: Providence Day School (grade A+), Charlotte Country Day School (grade A+), Charlotte Latin School (grade A+)
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22 / 30#9. Holly Springs, North Carolina
- Overall Rank: 470
- Population: 42,023
- Median household income: $127,755
- Median home value: $449,600 (82% own)
- Median rent: $1,745 (18% rent)
- Top public schools: Green Level High School (grade A+), Wake Early College of Health & Sciences (grade A+), Wake STEM Early College High School (grade A+)
- Top private schools: Cary Academy (grade A+), Saint Mary's School (grade A+), Cardinal Gibbons High School (grade A+)
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23 / 30#8. Carrboro, North Carolina
- Overall Rank: 467
- Population: 21,242
- Median household income: $76,933
- Median home value: $457,200 (43% own)
- Median rent: $1,299 (57% rent)
- Top public schools: The Expedition School (grade A+), Woods Charter School (grade A+), Chapel Hill High School (grade A)
- Top private schools: Durham Academy (grade A+), Trinity School of Durham & Chapel Hill (grade A+), Camelot Academy (grade A+)
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24 / 30#7. Chapel Hill, North Carolina
- Overall Rank: 355
- Population: 58,919
- Median household income: $85,940
- Median home value: $537,100 (50% own)
- Median rent: $1,419 (50% rent)
- Top public schools: North Carolina School of Science and Mathematics (grade A+), The Expedition School (grade A+), Woods Charter School (grade A+)
- Top private schools: Durham Academy (grade A+), Trinity School of Durham & Chapel Hill (grade A+), Camelot Academy (grade A+)
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25 / 30#6. Marvin, North Carolina
- Overall Rank: 350
- Population: 6,421
- Median household income: $238,875
- Median home value: $799,200 (100% own)
- Median rent: $3,364 (% rent)
- Top public schools: Marvin Ridge High School (grade A+), Weddington High School (grade A+), Central Academy of Technology & Arts (grade A+)
- Top private schools: Charlotte Country Day School (grade A+), Charlotte Latin School (grade A+), Covenant Day School (grade A)
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26 / 30#5. Rolesville, North Carolina
- Overall Rank: 248
- Population: 9,696
- Median household income: $145,166
- Median home value: $422,000 (91% own)
- Median rent: $890 (9% rent)
- Top public schools: Wake Early College of Health & Sciences (grade A+), Quest Academy (grade A+), Wake STEM Early College High School (grade A+)
- Top private schools: Ravenscroft School (grade A+), St. David's School (grade A+), Trinity Academy (grade A+)
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27 / 30#4. Davidson, North Carolina
- Overall Rank: 153
- Population: 15,199
- Median household income: $140,938
- Median home value: $572,300 (77% own)
- Median rent: $1,615 (23% rent)
- Top public schools: Charlotte Engineering Early College (grade A+), Collaborative College for Technology & Leadership (CCTL) (grade A), Lake Norman Charter School (grade A)
- Top private schools: Davidson Day School (grade A+), Cannon School (grade A), Woodlawn School (grade A)
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28 / 30#3. Apex, North Carolina
- Overall Rank: 90
- Population: 65,541
- Median household income: $129,688
- Median home value: $458,200 (75% own)
- Median rent: $1,668 (25% rent)
- Top public schools: Raleigh Charter High School (grade A+), Green Level High School (grade A+), Wake Early College of Health & Sciences (grade A+)
- Top private schools: Cary Academy (grade A+), Camelot Academy (grade A+), Saint Mary's School (grade A+)
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29 / 30#2. Morrisville, North Carolina
- Overall Rank: 56
- Population: 29,756
- Median household income: $114,075
- Median home value: $429,600 (50% own)
- Median rent: $1,687 (50% 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+), Durham Academy (grade A+), Ravenscroft School (grade A+)
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30 / 30#1. Cary, North Carolina
- Overall Rank: 20
- Population: 174,880
- Median household income: $125,317
- Median home value: $477,400 (67% own)
- Median rent: $1,538 (33% 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+), Durham Academy (grade A+), Ravenscroft School (grade A+)
This story features data reporting and writing by Elena Cox and is part of a series utilizing data automation across 40 states.
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