The 10 Best Places To Live In North Carolina For 2025


The best places to live in North Carolina for 2025 are Apex, Davidson, and Morrisville. Find out where your city or town ranks.

Where are the best places to live in the state of North Carolina?

Some might say wherever you can catch a Duke or UNC basketball game, a NASCAR track, a sunny beach, a snowy mountain, or a great BBQ. You might feel like you’ve won the North Carolina Lottery when you stumble upon a place with all these.

While cities like Raleigh, Durham, and Charlotte are great, the best places to live turn out be just outside the city limits.

We used Saturday Night Science to compare the data on factors like crime, income, and home prices for 133 cities in North Carolina. Here’s what we found.


Table Of Contents: Top Ten | Table | Map | Methodology | Summary


The 10 Best Places To Live In North Carolina For 2025

  1. Apex
  2. Davidson
  3. Morrisville
  4. Cary
  5. Cornelius
  6. Holly Springs
  7. Rolesville
  8. Elon
  9. Pinehurst
  10. Gibsonville

What is the best place to live in North Carolina for 2025? Apex is the best place to live in North Carolina if you care about home values, low crime, and high quality of life.

Grab some BBQ and sweet tea, and read on to learn about the best cities in North Carolina.

For more reading, check out:

The 10 Best Places To Live In North Carolina For 2025

Best Places To Live In North Carolina Map

Apex, NC

Source: Public domain
Stat Apex North Carolina
Population 67,765 10,584,340
Rank Last Year 3
Median Home Value $514,800 $259,400
Median Income $138,442 $69,904
Unemployment Rate 3.8% 4.8%
Crime Per Capita 0.0105 0.0245

More on Apex: Data

Now, if you love playing disc golf and just being outside, Apex has some of the best parks and outdoor activities. One of the best weekends in the Peak City could be spent “chasing chains” at the Apex Nature Park after your kids soccer game, only to be followed by some serious nightlife on Salem Street. So, we are not surprised that it’s the best place in North Carolina.

But, that’s not all that makes Apex a constant on this top ten list, you can get a home in Apex for $514,800, the unemployment rate here is below the national average, and it’s close to The Triangle. It, like Cary, also boasts some of the best schools in the state.

Davidson, NC

Source: Flickr User davidwilson1949 | CC BY 2.0
Stat Davidson North Carolina
Population 14,852 10,584,340
Rank Last Year 1
Median Home Value $626,000 $259,400
Median Income $152,969 $69,904
Unemployment Rate 3.9% 4.8%
Crime Per Capita 0.0042 0.0245

More on Davidson: Data

Home of the Davidson College Wildcats, Lake Norman, and great prices on real estate, the #2 best place to live in North Carolina, Davidson, is one of the Tar Heel State’s best kept secrets. But, with only 14,852 full time residents, there aren’t a lot of people to get the word out. But, this just adds to Davidson’s appeal. That, and the fact that it’s the 2nd safest cities on the list.

And, if you guessed that the people who live here are pretty smart–it’s a college town after all–you guessed right. Forty percent of Davidson’s residents have a Bachelor’s Degree and 23% have a Masters. These numbers are both well below the state and national level.

So, if you’re looking for “[A] College Town. [A] Lake Town. Your Town,” this city in this western pocket of the Piedmont has it all.

Morrisville, NC

Source: Town of Morrisville
Stat Morrisville North Carolina
Population 30,471 10,584,340
Rank Last Year 4
Median Home Value $481,800 $259,400
Median Income $125,404 $69,904
Unemployment Rate 3.0% 4.8%
Crime Per Capita 0.0296 0.0245

More on Morrisville: Data

We’re heading to Morrisville, a town of 30,471 situated between Raleigh and Durham, for our 3rd best place to live in North Carolina.

For starters, Morrisville is family-friendly. 38.17% of Morrisville households have kids, and there’s a reason for that. Most public schools are in the top 5% statewide, and the local elementary school received a National Blue Ribbon Award. Not to mention that Morrisville has the 9th lowest high school dropout rate statewide.

There are also plenty of
family-friendly activities, like the miles of trails and endless water-sports fun available at Lake Crabtree County Park. Or the RDU Observation Park for those who like watching planes land and take off. And every September brings the East Meets West Festival, a celebration of the town’s cultural diversity complete with food and live music.

You don’t have to worry about crime in Morrisville because the town achieved the 23rd lowest violent crime rate in North Carolina over 2023. Homes here are the 16th priciest statewide, with a median home value of $481,800.

The median household income here is $125,404. While the cost of living in Morrisville is higher than the statewide average, it’s mostly due to housing — things like groceries, utilities, and health costs are right on level or below average prices.

Cary, NC

Source: Flickr User James Willamor | CC BY-SA 2.0
Stat Cary North Carolina
Population 176,686 10,584,340
Rank Last Year 2
Median Home Value $525,200 $259,400
Median Income $129,399 $69,904
Unemployment Rate 3.4% 4.8%
Crime Per Capita 0.0138 0.0245

More on Cary: Data

If you don’t have a job in North Carolina’s 4th best place to live, Cary, you’re most likely not trying very hard. The unemployment rate here is well below the national average. In fact, Cary is also one of the wealthiest cities in North Carolina, so there are probably enough butler and pool maintenance jobs available to give every single unemployed resident a job.

But what really makes Cary great is that it has one of the best school districts in the state, it’s super close to Raleigh and Durham, and it has been able to maintain its small city charm in the midst of its rapid growth.

Cornelius, NC

Source: Public domain
Stat Cornelius North Carolina
Population 32,009 10,584,340
Rank Last Year 5
Median Home Value $512,400 $259,400
Median Income $114,688 $69,904
Unemployment Rate 3.6% 4.8%
Crime Per Capita 0.0103 0.0245

More on Cornelius: Data

Cornelius, located in northern Mecklenburg County, is a great place to live for many reasons. Known for its low cost of living and high quality of life, Cornelius offers residents a wide range of attractions and activities to enjoy.

Cornelius is conveniently located just 20 miles north of Charlotte, providing easy access to the city’s amenities and employment opportunities. With a median home price that ranks among the best in North Carolina and a strong sense of community, Cornelius truly offers the best of both worlds – a peaceful suburban lifestyle with all the conveniences of a larger city.

The town is home to several art galleries, theaters, and music venues. It’s also close to Lake Norman, which gives you easy access to the beautiful lake, where they can enjoy boating, fishing, and water sports.

Holly Springs, NC

Source: Wikipedia User Jon Harrison | CC BY-SA 3.0
Stat Holly Springs North Carolina
Population 43,429 10,584,340
Rank Last Year 6
Median Home Value $485,500 $259,400
Median Income $132,435 $69,904
Unemployment Rate 3.5% 4.8%
Crime Per Capita 0.0123 0.0245

More on Holly Springs: Data

This is the first time Carolina Beach has made our top ten list of best places to live in North Carolina and we are as happy as an intracoastal clam. Matter of fact, if you haven’t been to this coastal city, you’re missing out. It’s one of the coolest, most eclectic beach towns on North Carolina’s coast.

But, all pristine beaches, safe communities, and bicycle friendly lanes aside, Carolina Beach has the 6th lowest unemployment rate on this list–well below the national average. Keep in mind, however, that most of these are second homes and that many of the people who keep this beach town in operation commute from the greater Wilmington area.

If you do decide to become a Carolina Beach local, be prepared to pay around $485,500 for a home and make sure that you have a job that pays at least $132,435/year before you make the big move.

Rolesville, NC

Source: Wikipedia User Mkrpowers | CC BY-SA 3.0
Stat Rolesville North Carolina
Population 10,200 10,584,340
Rank Last Year 8
Median Home Value $467,400 $259,400
Median Income $148,250 $69,904
Unemployment Rate 4.0% 4.8%
Crime Per Capita 0.0044 0.0245

More on Rolesville: Data

Let’s roll into Rolesville, the #7 best place to live in North Carolina. The town is the second oldest in Wake County and a suburb of Raleigh. It has experienced a substantial rise in 10,200, supporting its historical allure with modern expansion. The locality is characterized by a strong economy, indicated by a high 148,250 and low 4.0, reflecting its economic resilience.

Rolesville has an excellent education system, low crime rates, and awesome parks and trails. Rolesville’s closeness to Raleigh allows residents to enjoy a Canes or Bulls game while benefiting from an average 33 minute commute time.

Elon, NC

Source: Flickr User MPD01605 | CC BY-SA 2.0
Stat Elon North Carolina
Population 11,325 10,584,340
Rank Last Year 19
Median Home Value $355,800 $259,400
Median Income $82,717 $69,904
Unemployment Rate 2.8% 4.8%
Crime Per Capita 0.0043 0.0245

More on Elon: Data

Welcome to Elon, home to Elon University and the 8th best place to live in North Carolina. With such a large student population, it’s no surprise that Elon has an incredibly young median age of 21.

These kids know to make a town that works for everyone. The streets are safe, the local economy is steady, and the school system produces great results. Residents also get to enjoy the 37th shortest average commute time in North Carolina. The median home price in Elon is $355,800 and the median income is $82,717.

Elon’s overall cost of living score is about 107, compared to a national average of 100, so living here won’t break the bank. And with Elon University around, you’ll always have a local sports team to cheer on, whether you’re going to basketball games at Schar Center or football games at Rhodes Stadium.

Greensboro is just a half-hour west of Elon, but you don’t have to make the trip to get your nightlife on. The Fat Frogg is a local favorite that always has live music.

Pinehurst, NC

Source: Wikipedia User Leonard J. DeFrancisci | CC BY-SA 3.0
Stat Pinehurst North Carolina
Population 17,992 10,584,340
Rank Last Year 9
Median Home Value $423,300 $259,400
Median Income $104,955 $69,904
Unemployment Rate 4.4% 4.8%
Crime Per Capita 0.0040 0.0245

More on Pinehurst: Data

“The Home of American Golf” and the infamous Pinehurst Resort, might seem out of reach for most bank accounts, but you’ll be pleasantly surprised to know that you can score a home in North Carolina’s 9th best place to live, Pinehurst, for $423,300. The yin to that yang, however, is that if you don’t already have a job lined up in healthcare or hospitality, you’re going to need to rethink your career path if you move here. While the unemployment rate is 4.4%, there aren’t a lot of options for people who don’t hold a degree.

But, don’t let this deter you: it’s worth it. This city of 17,992 residents is one of the safest places in the Tar Heel State. So, if affordability and safety are at the top of your “must have” list, Pinehurst checks all of the boxes.

Gibsonville, NC

Source: Public domain
Stat Gibsonville North Carolina
Population 9,289 10,584,340
Rank Last Year 13
Median Home Value $262,400 $259,400
Median Income $105,981 $69,904
Unemployment Rate 3.2% 4.8%
Crime Per Capita 0.0099 0.0245

More on Gibsonville: Data

Mapping The Best And Worst Places To Live in North Carolina

Best Places To Live In North Carolina Size Requirement

Before we even started to collect data on the best places to live in North Carolina, we had to answer a tough question: Is it fair to pit Raleigh, with a population of 470,763, against places with a population of 18?

We firmly decided no, that just isn’t fair.

So, to create our ranking, we broke the best places to live into three tiers:

  • Cities — Populations over 5,000
  • Towns — Populations between 1,000 and 5,000
  • Small Towns — Populations below 1,000

This filter left 133 cities, 295 towns, and 250 small towns.

We then decided no matter how much anyone loves their town, the best cities to live in North Carolina have more of everything, and therefore, you need over 5,000 people to truly be ‘the best.’

Methodology: How We Calculated The Best Cities To Live In North Carolina

Now that we had our set of the best possible cities, it was time to rank them using Saturday Night Science.

We ranked each place in North Carolina across a number of criteria from one to 133, with one being the best.

We then took the average rank across all criteria, crowning the city posting the lowest overall score, the “Best Place To Live In North Carolina.”

The criteria we looked to determine the best places were:

  • Median Home Values
  • Median Income
  • Population Density (Higher is better)
  • Unemployment Rate
  • Commute Time
  • Crime
  • Education Levels
  • Health Insurance Coverage
  • Poverty rates

Sources of criteria include the New Census Data, FBI Crime Data, and Zillow. We updated this article for 2025. This report is our tenth time ranking North Carolina’s best places to live.

If your city or town isn’t among the top 10, jump down to the bottom of the post to see a detailed chart of the best places in North Carolina. Otherwise, buckle up for a ride down good living lane with Apex at the end of the cul-de-sac.

Summary: The Best Places In North Carolina

If you’re looking at areas in North Carolina with the best economic situations, where there’s lower than average crime, and a lot to do, this is an accurate list.

The best places to live in North Carolina are Apex, Davidson, Morrisville, Cary, Cornelius, Holly Springs, Rolesville, Elon, Pinehurst, and Gibsonville.

Apex made a strong showing to take in the overall number one spot for the best place to live in North Carolina for 2025.

If you’re curious enough, here are the worst places to live in North Carolina according to the data:

  1. Laurinburg (Pop. 15,079)
  2. Lumberton (Pop. 19,220)
  3. Roxboro (Pop. 8,144)

For more North Carolina reading, check out:

Best Places To Live In North Carolina Table

Rank City Population Unemployment Rate Home Value Median Income Rent Crime Per Capita
1 Apex 67,765 3.8% $514,800 $138,442 $1,784 0.0105
2 Davidson 14,852 3.9% $626,000 $152,969 $1,636 0.0042
3 Morrisville 30,471 3.0% $481,800 $125,404 $1,785 0.0296
4 Cary 176,686 3.4% $525,200 $129,399 $1,621 0.0138
5 Cornelius 32,009 3.6% $512,400 $114,688 $1,571 0.0103
6 Holly Springs 43,429 3.5% $485,500 $132,435 $1,858 0.0123
7 Rolesville 10,200 4.0% $467,400 $148,250 $982 0.0044
8 Elon 11,325 2.8% $355,800 $82,717 $1,584 0.0043
9 Pinehurst 17,992 4.4% $423,300 $104,955 $1,790 0.0040
10 Gibsonville 9,289 3.2% $262,400 $105,981 $865 0.0099
11 Fuquay-Varina 37,749 3.1% $410,600 $111,447 $1,646 0.0079
12 Chapel Hill 59,889 4.6% $576,500 $85,825 $1,483 0.0300
13 Huntersville 62,458 3.6% $439,300 $119,951 $1,742 0.0168
14 Waxhaw 21,565 3.6% $506,300 $128,115 $1,770 0.0059
15 Stallings 16,495 4.7% $381,700 $106,074 $1,749 0.0105
16 Carrboro 21,170 3.9% $507,100 $85,927 $1,337 0.0263
17 Matthews 29,959 2.2% $406,800 $105,579 $1,670 0.0328
18 Wake Forest 51,199 4.5% $435,000 $120,777 $1,458 0.0179
19 Harrisburg 19,203 2.6% $431,900 $143,393 $2,407 0.0222
20 Black Mountain 8,462 3.6% $351,700 $70,041 $1,334 0.0142
21 Whispering Pines 5,081 6.0% $452,800 $112,517 $2,122 0.0049
22 Fletcher 8,022 3.9% $324,000 $75,117 $1,207 0.0150
23 Mooresville 51,447 4.1% $348,500 $88,592 $1,505 0.0246
24 Leland 26,307 4.5% $358,800 $88,576 $1,603 0.0072
25 Oak Ridge 7,660 3.2% $523,500 $140,583 $0 0.0463
26 King 7,345 1.6% $227,500 $60,451 $937 0.0173
27 Wendell 11,585 1.0% $316,700 $93,848 $1,397 0.0144
28 Weddington 13,468 2.2% $730,200 $196,159 $2,205 0.0965
29 Knightdale 19,532 4.9% $331,900 $91,638 $1,573 0.0309
30 Winterville 10,624 4.5% $226,600 $82,783 $1,495 0.0081
31 Archdale 11,992 4.1% $188,200 $64,984 $960 0.0163
32 Marvin 6,542 3.5% $860,600 $250,001 $0 0.0458
33 Clemmons 21,574 4.8% $306,900 $84,326 $1,172 0.0418
34 Carolina Beach 6,665 9.0% $487,800 $88,239 $1,544 0.0273
35 Summerfield 11,031 3.1% $490,100 $151,131 $1,148 0.0463
36 Mills River 7,214 4.8% $358,500 $88,359 $1,611 0.0330
37 Kill Devil Hills 7,727 5.4% $401,700 $85,747 $1,440 0.0248
38 Hillsborough 9,656 4.8% $430,100 $98,467 $1,349 0.0500
39 Concord 106,518 4.8% $327,600 $84,752 $1,365 0.0115
40 Mebane 18,899 3.4% $295,600 $84,312 $1,171 0.0410
41 Clayton 28,043 2.0% $292,400 $73,348 $1,542 0.0186
42 Raleigh 470,763 4.5% $377,800 $82,424 $1,468 0.0320
43 Woodfin 7,957 1.7% $326,600 $62,759 $1,408 0.0119
44 Oak Island 8,888 3.6% $407,400 $83,483 $1,208 0.0602
45 Boone 19,534 14.8% $373,600 $28,633 $1,080 0.0130
46 Mint Hill 26,954 4.8% $386,900 $99,272 $1,498 0.0128
47 Stokesdale 5,943 0.0% $368,600 $135,389 $783 0.0463
48 Brevard 7,795 5.2% $411,000 $44,356 $878 0.0195
49 Havelock 16,471 5.1% $186,800 $64,433 $1,269 0.0188
50 Hendersonville 15,253 2.3% $282,500 $52,337 $1,232 0.0330
51 Southern Pines 16,052 5.6% $416,300 $83,681 $1,215 0.0223
52 St. James 6,901 5.2% $599,300 $113,670 $2,258 0.0602
53 Cramerton 5,376 4.3% $322,900 $94,390 $1,341 0.0473
54 Belmont 15,140 5.0% $349,700 $86,442 $1,274 0.0337
55 Lewisville 13,655 2.9% $284,300 $84,424 $1,059 0.0418
56 Wilmington 118,578 4.6% $350,300 $63,900 $1,311 0.0413
57 New Bern 31,563 4.1% $211,500 $56,893 $1,068 0.0238
58 Boiling Spring Lakes 6,206 5.0% $260,400 $59,750 $1,337 0.0139
59 Asheville 94,369 4.0% $411,000 $67,221 $1,303 0.0532
60 Dallas 6,012 3.1% $221,700 $57,755 $794 0.0238
61 Mount Holly 17,928 6.5% $286,400 $75,928 $1,145 0.0168
62 Wesley Chapel 8,923 3.5% $493,900 $129,962 $2,727 0.0458
63 Durham 288,465 4.2% $355,300 $79,234 $1,412 0.0451
64 Kernersville 27,439 3.8% $264,000 $69,923 $1,052 0.0418
65 Aberdeen 8,969 3.2% $287,200 $72,955 $1,151 0.0459
66 Indian Trail 41,146 5.7% $343,500 $99,073 $1,916 0.0458
67 Kannapolis 56,470 4.7% $245,500 $70,691 $1,168 0.0222
68 Jacksonville 73,507 7.7% $191,700 $54,069 $1,268 0.0429
69 Locust 5,529 3.9% $285,800 $78,280 $887 0.0222
70 Garner 32,543 6.8% $320,300 $77,496 $1,452 0.0549
71 Archer Lodge 5,036 0.0% $285,600 $98,170 $1,308 0.0460
72 Cherryville 6,154 3.9% $198,000 $58,701 $948 0.0270
73 Conover 8,491 3.5% $238,300 $57,375 $811 0.0241
74 Unionville 6,826 3.4% $312,200 $92,009 $1,060 0.0458
75 Tarboro 10,705 2.3% $155,500 $49,386 $698 0.0324
76 High Point 115,263 5.6% $212,400 $61,228 $1,062 0.0300
77 Trinity 7,066 3.9% $187,700 $80,349 $893 0.0347
78 Charlotte 886,283 4.4% $351,500 $78,438 $1,504 0.0965
79 Greenville 88,540 9.0% $213,100 $50,564 $983 0.0380
80 Pineville 10,780 4.2% $344,700 $64,257 $1,467 0.0965
81 Hickory 43,747 4.8% $248,300 $63,361 $975 0.0355
82 Nashville 5,672 12.8% $191,700 $63,553 $1,009 0.0353
83 Greensboro 298,564 5.1% $221,300 $58,884 $1,114 0.0463
84 Waynesville 10,408 2.5% $254,800 $50,554 $1,105 0.0401
85 Hope Mills 17,823 7.8% $176,300 $60,671 $1,097 0.0402
86 Shelby 21,868 3.6% $185,400 $50,705 $899 0.0358
87 Mocksville 6,001 4.6% $210,900 $55,544 $910 0.0353
88 Thomasville 27,261 4.7% $163,200 $58,246 $853 0.0300
89 Lincolnton 11,503 3.4% $224,600 $43,294 $920 0.0371
90 Fayetteville 209,692 8.2% $171,900 $56,395 $1,179 0.0393
91 Ayden 5,035 5.8% $161,200 $41,711 $774 0.0201
92 Washington 9,754 3.9% $193,800 $41,723 $813 0.0425
93 Winston-Salem 250,887 5.9% $208,200 $57,673 $1,033 0.0392
94 Newton 13,223 6.1% $169,300 $56,869 $1,016 0.0241
95 Graham 17,537 7.9% $200,600 $54,783 $990 0.0245
96 Gastonia 81,632 5.2% $250,000 $60,554 $1,145 0.0473
97 Butner 7,996 5.3% $225,600 $72,917 $1,195 0.0163
98 Wilson 47,740 7.4% $192,000 $47,294 $925 0.0313
99 Asheboro 27,353 4.4% $162,800 $48,628 $855 0.0326
100 Lenoir 18,282 5.4% $165,200 $48,889 $671 0.0314

About Chris Kolmar

Chris Kolmar has been in the real estate business for almost ten years now. He originally worked for Movoto Real Estate as the director of marketing before founding HomeSnacks.

He believes the key to finding the right place to live comes down to looking at the data, reading about things to do, and, most importantly, checking it out yourself before you move.

If you've been looking for a place to live in the past several years, you've probably stumbled upon his writing already.

You can find out more about him on LinkedIn or his website.