This North Carolina County Ranks Best Place To Live In The State

We moved to North Carolina 17 years ago.  And, we love it here.  Also, ironically, it was the birthplace of my husband's parents all those years ago before relocating to Texas.  So, in a way, we brought the family roots full circle.  And, apparently we aren't alone in our love of the state.  Data-driven website Stacker conducted a study of Niche figures from 2022.  The site ranks schools and neighborhoods using government sites and various sources.  Also, looking at cost of living, health, diversity, activities and a host of other factors they determined some of the best counties to live in North Carolina.  And, Wake County, home to capital city Raleigh, comes in at number one.  This North Carolina county ranks as the best place to live in the Tar Heel State.

According to a story in the News and Observer, the county offers first class educational, social and job opportunities.  The results published February 10.  Stacker points out counties that rank "best" offer a "good mix of opportunities for fun outdoor activities and cultural attractions."  And, the study points to a number of historical sites, good schools, jobs and affordable housing that lead to happy residents.  Furthermore,  Wake County scored "A" in most of the qualifying categories.  However, the county scored a "B" on Niche when it comes to weather and commute times, as well as cost of living.  But, Raleigh was recently named one of the nation's best places for college students to live. Wrapping up, the top five counties to live included Orange County at number 2.  Mecklenburg, home to Charlotte,  appeared at number 3.  Finally, Durham and Union Counties finished 4 and 5 respectively.  But, if you're considering a move, you might want to check out the North Carolina county that ranks best in the state.

If you're reading this chances are you either live in North Carolina (and know how great it is) or are planning to move here. So many things make our state a wonderful place to call home. NC has both the mountains and the beach, large cities and small towns, and we get all four seasons. It's no wonder people are moving here every day. Great universities, sports, hospitals, job opportunities, and recreational activities exist. There is something here for families, young singles, and retirees. But while the state is full of great places to live, you may be wondering what are the best places to live in North Carolina.

Of course, that is relatively subjective. But we also are going to give you an answer, though it may not be the one you are expecting. These rankings come from the researchers at Forbes who created the "Best Places To Live in North Carolina in 2023" list. Forbes took into account median home prices, personal income per capita, crime rates, and unemployment to name what they think are the 8 best cities to live in NC. Of course both Charlotte and Raleigh made this list. But there are some surprising snubs and inclusions. Keep reading to see the top 8 places to live in North Carolina. You can read Forbes' full methodology and report here.

Population: 94,067

Median Home Prices: $524,950

Estimated Monthly Expenses: $7,912

Average Income: $53,621

Unemployment Rate: 3.2%

Community Wellness Score: 61/100

Criminal Offenses Reported: 12,001

Nestled in the Blue Ridge Mountains Asheville is a mountain paradise. The city offers many different vibes, it's downside however is the higher cost of living, especially homes, than other areas of the state.

Population: 43,532

Median Home Prices: $341,400

Estimated Monthly Expenses: $6,041

Average Income: $48,653

Unemployment Rate: 3.6%

Community Wellness Score: 48/100

Criminal Offenses Reported: 4,566

I was a little surprised to see Hickory mentioned on this list, it's just not usually one of the cities that shows up on these types of things. Forbes mentions that the location is a great factor, being 1 hr from Asheville and Charlotte. Hickory has a lower cost of living, a location at the base of the mountains, and southern charm.

Population: 88,728

Median Home Prices: $351,450

Estimated Monthly Expenses: $6,760

Average Income: $42,612

Unemployment Rate: 4.5%

Community Wellness Score: 59/100

Criminal Offenses Reported: 7,768

Another city we don't always see mentioned. Greenville, NC is the home of East Carolina University and has a lot of the feel of a college town. It's also a short drive from the beach, but close enough to the Triangle to get your big city fix.

Population: 250,320

Median Home Prices: $319,950

Estimated Monthly Expenses: $6,180

Average Income: $47,269

Unemployment Rate: 3.8%

Community Wellness Score: 55/100

Criminal Offenses Reported: 15,209

This metro area has a relatively low cost of living, is a relatively safe city, has a thriving job market, and plenty of things to do.

Population: 879,709

Median Home Prices: $425,000

Estimated Monthly Expenses: $7,126

Average Income: $65,359

Unemployment Rate: 3.6%

Community Wellness Score: 60/100

Criminal Offenses Reported: 79,369

Are you surprised Charlotte was only 4th on this list? There are plenty of job opportunities in banking, healthcare, and technology. It's a lot more expensive than other cities on this list. And that crime total is significantly higher, but this is also due to a larger population.

Median Home Prices: $495,507

Estimated Monthly Expenses: $7,218

Average Income: $61,962

Unemployment Rate: 3.2%

Community Wellness Score: 71/100

Criminal Offenses Reported: 23,603

Located in the heart of the research triangle Durham is a growing, bustling city full of opportunity. Healthcare and technology offer high-paying jobs giving residents a great quality of life.

Median Home Prices: $529,900

Estimated Monthly Expenses: $7,296

Average Income: $51,137

Unemployment Rate: 3.5%

Community Wellness Score: 60/100

Criminal Offenses Reported: 9,416

This coastal town is right near several beaches and located on the Cape Fear river making it an ideal location. The downtown offers lots of history and plenty of jobs. It's no wonder it's ranked the 2nd best place to live in North Carolina.

Population: 469,124

Median Home Prices: $486,500

Estimated Monthly Expenses: $7,349

Average Income: $69,720

Unemployment Rate: 3.3%

Community Wellness Score: 63/100

Criminal Offenses Reported: 24,944

Our state's capital is also the best place to live! The high quality of life, proximity to jobs in RTP, and the smaller town feel in a large city. I've called Raleigh home in the past and it's still my second home where I spend around 10-12 weekends a year.