If you’re looking for some ideas on where to live in North Carolina, you’ve come to the right place!
Obviously, the best place to live is a fairly subjective thing. It all depends on your lifestyle, your family, your job, your hobbies, and your budget.
Here are some key questions to ask yourself when looking for the best place to live for YOU in North Carolina:
- What is the cost of housing? (Home prices and rent)
- What is the job market like in the area?
- How is commuting and transportation?
- How good are public schools in the area?
- Is it a safe place to live?
- What is the culture like?
- What is there to do for fun?
- What is the weather and climate like throughout the year?
With that said, our picks for the best places to live in North Carolina include:
- Raleigh
- Charlotte
- Durham
Read why they made the list below!
1. Raleigh
Raleigh is located in Wake County within the central region of North Carolina.
With a population of 465,000, Raleigh ranks 2nd in North Carolina. It’s a large city with a suburban and urban feel in most areas.
Raleigh has cool winters with hot, humid summers. Average highs range from 51 to 90 throughout the year, with July being the hottest month on average.
Average lows range from 41 to 70, with January being the coldest month of the year on average.
Here’s how we rate Raleigh on a few key categories:
| Category | Rating |
| Value & Affordability | 4/5 |
| Jobs | 4.5/5 |
| Public Schools | 4/5 |
| Crime & Safety | 4/5 |
2. Charlotte
Charlotte is located in Mecklenburg County within the southeast region of North Carolina.
With a population of 857,400, Charlotte ranks largest in North Carolina. It’s a large city with a suburban and urban feel in most areas.
Charlotte’s climate is classified as humid subtropical with four distinct seasons throughout the year. Average highs range from 52 to 90 throughout the year, with July being the hottest month on average.
Average lows range from 31 to 69, with January being the coldest month of the year on average.
Here’s how we rate Charlotte on a few key categories:
| Category | Rating |
| Value & Affordability | 4/5 |
| Jobs | 4.5/5 |
| Public Schools | 4.5/5 |
| Crime & Safety | 3/5 |
3. Durham
Durham is located in Durham County within the central region of North Carolina.
With a population of 269,000 Durham ranks 4th largest in North Carolina. It’s a medium-large sized city with a suburban feel in most areas.
Here’s how we rate Durham on a few key categories:
| Category | Rating |
| Value & Affordability | 4/5 |
| Jobs | 4/5 |
| Public Schools | 4/5 |
| Crime & Safety | 3/5 |
Next Steps: Prepare for your Move
Moving to a new state or new city can be a pretty daunting process! Trust us, we’ve been there.
That’s why we’ve created this site to help you along the way. Check out some of our other resources as you continue down the path towards your new home:
Plus, we’ve made it easy for you to shop and compare all different types of insurance policies as you prepare for your move. (Expert tip: This is one of the BEST ways to save some money). Get started below: