Best places to live in the Raleigh metro area

Written by:
July 8, 2025
Mila Supinskaya Glashchenko // Shutterstock

Best places to live in the Raleigh metro area

Stacker compiled a list of the best places to live in the Raleigh metro area using data from the Niche. Niche uses 15 weighted factors for its rankings. A majority of the score is based on cost of living, higher education rate, housing, public schools, diversity, and crime. You can read more about Niche's methodology here.

You may also like: Highest-rated cafes in the Raleigh area by diners
1 / 25
Jacob Lund // Shutterstock

#25. Wilson's Mills

- Niche grade: B
- Public school grade: B
- Population: 2,652

2 / 25
Monkey Business Images // Shutterstock

#24. Youngsville

- Niche grade: B
- Public school grade: B+
- Population: 2,581

3 / 25
YAKOBCHUK VIACHESLAV // Shutterstock

#23. Benson

- Niche grade: B
- Public school grade: B
- Population: 4,144

4 / 25
NDAB Creativity // Shutterstock

#22. Four Oaks

- Niche grade: B
- Public school grade: B
- Population: 2,372

5 / 25
PeopleImages.com - Yuri A // Shutterstock

#21. Zebulon

- Niche grade: B+
- Public school grade: A
- Population: 7,961

You may also like: Highest-rated Southern restaurants in Raleigh by diners
6 / 25
Akarawut // Shutterstock

#20. Creedmoor

- Niche grade: B+
- Public school grade: B-
- Population: 4,957

7 / 25
Josep Suria // Shutterstock

#19. Archer Lodge

- Niche grade: B+
- Public school grade: A-
- Population: 5,036

8 / 25
Monkey Business Images // Shutterstock

#18. Pine Level

- Niche grade: B+
- Public school grade: B+
- Population: 2,072

9 / 25
FamVeld // Shutterstock

#17. Clayton

- Niche grade: A-
- Public school grade: A-
- Population: 28,043

10 / 25
Ground Picture // Shutterstock

#16. Knightdale

- Niche grade: A
- Public school grade: B
- Population: 19,532

You may also like: Highest-paying jobs in Raleigh that require a graduate degree
11 / 25
imtmphoto // Shutterstock

#15. Wendell

- Niche grade: A
- Public school grade: A-
- Population: 11,585

12 / 25
Robert Kneschke // Shutterstock

#14. Fearrington Village

- Niche grade: A
- Public school grade: A-
- Population: 2,535

13 / 25
Stuart Monk // Shutterstock

#13. Durham

- Niche grade: A
- Public school grade: B
- Population: 288,465

14 / 25
Laura Beach // Shutterstock

#12. Garner

- Niche grade: A
- Public school grade: A-
- Population: 32,543

15 / 25
Gorodenkoff // Shutterstock

#11. Hillsborough

- Niche grade: A
- Public school grade: A-
- Population: 9,656

You may also like: People from these metros are looking to buy homes in Raleigh
16 / 25
Jacek Chabraszewski // Shutterstock

#10. Raleigh

- Niche grade: A
- Public school grade: A
- Population: 470,763

17 / 25
Monkey Business Images // Shutterstock

#9. Fuquay-Varina

- Niche grade: A+
- Public school grade: A
- Population: 37,749

18 / 25
RossHelen // Shutterstock

#8. Wake Forest

- Niche grade: A+
- Public school grade: A
- Population: 51,199

19 / 25
Monkey Business Images // Shutterstock

#7. Holly Springs

- Niche grade: A+
- Public school grade: A
- Population: 43,429

20 / 25
Monkey Business Images // Shutterstock

#6. Carrboro

- Niche grade: A+
- Public school grade: A+
- Population: 21,170

You may also like: Highest-rated pizza restaurants in the Raleigh area by diners
21 / 25
oneinchpunch // Shutterstock

#5. Chapel Hill

- Niche grade: A+
- Public school grade: A+
- Population: 59,889

22 / 25
Jacob Lund // Shutterstock

#4. Rolesville

- Niche grade: A+
- Public school grade: A-
- Population: 10,200

23 / 25
Monkey Business Images // Shutterstock

#3. Apex

- Niche grade: A+
- Public school grade: A
- Population: 67,765

24 / 25
Monkey Business Images // Shutterstock

#2. Morrisville

- Niche grade: A+
- Public school grade: A+
- Population: 30,471

25 / 25
BAZA Production // Shutterstock

#1. Cary

- Niche grade: A+
- Public school grade: A
- Population: 176,686

You may also like: Movies and TV shows casting in Raleigh

Trending Now