10 Greatest Locations to Stay in North Carolina

Raleigh

“Raleigh simply works. It is rising quick, however nonetheless has a grounded, approachable really feel. Between the tech jobs, parks, occasions, and meals, there’s something for everybody,” Steven David Elliot of Fathom Realty tells Journey + Leisure. “Folks come for the alternatives and keep as a result of it appears like dwelling.” House costs have additionally remained fairly steady over the previous couple of years. In accordance with Redfin, the median sale worth of a house in Raleigh was round $440,000 in April 2025, a 3.4 % enhance from the 12 months prior.

And should you’re not prepared to purchase? You’ll nonetheless seemingly discover a whole lot on hire; common hire within the capital metropolis is $1,888, 10 % decrease than the nationwide common. Juanita Corry Jackson of Juanita Jackson Realty recommends beginning your search within the North Hills and Oakwood neighborhoods, which she says are “gaining reputation as a consequence of their mix of historic attraction and trendy facilities.”

Durham

Raleigh and Durham may be steadily lumped collectively, however, as any resident of both metropolis will let you know, they’re decidedly totally different. Durham is smaller—with a inhabitants of round 290,000 in comparison with about 482,000 in Raleigh—and its tradition leans extra inventive than company. Actual property in Durham can be extra reasonably priced. Whereas the market remains to be aggressive, the common dwelling worth is simply over $410,000. Moreover, anybody working within the increased schooling, medical, or monetary fields can have stable job prospects in Durham. Duke College, the Duke College Well being System, and Constancy are among the largest employers within the space.

Chapel Hill

If you happen to’re serious about a small city with a larger-than-life status, look no additional than Chapel Hill. A part of the Analysis Triangle, Chapel Hill is dwelling to the College of North Carolina—however there’s much more to it than faculty life. It is a vacation spot the place residents take pleasure in dwell music, public artwork, a quaint historic district, breweries, and quite a lot of native eating places. Whereas the housing market is costly—the median sale worth exceeds $600,000—there are a number of charming small cities simply exterior of Chapel Hill to think about. These in search of extra reasonably priced costs ought to go searching Mebane, Hillsborough, or Pittsboro; every is lower than a 30-minute drive from downtown Chapel Hill.

Charlotte

Elliot calls Charlotte a “stable selection” for individuals who need a “mixture of metropolis life and room to breathe.” It’s additionally ultimate for frequent vacationers; Charlotte Douglas Worldwide Airport is a serious hub for American Airways. “Charlotte retains pushing ahead. It is bought critical momentum, nice job alternatives, a powerful cultural scene, and neighborhoods like South Finish and NoDa that preserve getting higher,” he says. After the actual property increase of 2020 and 2021, the housing market hasn’t drastically modified; the common dwelling worth in Charlotte is simply over $405,000.

Cary

“Cary is a type of locations the place every little thing is simply straightforward. It is secure, well-planned, and persistently delivers on high quality of life. Nice faculties, clear neighborhoods, and the sort of quiet confidence that makes it a no brainer for households,” says Elliot. Whereas it was as soon as thought-about a suburb of Raleigh, Cary has advanced into a definite vacation spot with its personal distinctive id. Residents take pleasure in a dynamic arts and tradition scene and top-tier eating, and the comparatively new Downtown Cary Park serves as a central gathering house for occasions and outside actions. Contemplating these components, it could come as no shock that the actual property market is relatively aggressive. House costs have elevated 5.7 % from final 12 months, so anticipate to pay round $690,000 (the present median worth) on your dwelling.

Winston-Salem

Winston-Salem is about as well-rounded a vacation spot as they arrive, however it’s nonetheless on the extra reasonably priced facet. The common dwelling worth is $257,523, and the general value of dwelling is about 9 % under the nationwide common. When you’ve secured your lodging and made the large transfer to the realm, you can begin specializing in what else makes Winston so nice: its quite a few parks and 25 miles of greenways, a concentrate on schooling (it’s dwelling to Wake Forest College), and small-town occasions resembling film nights and festivals. Plus, you’re inside driving distance of the Blue Ridge Parkway and the Appalachian Path, the place scenic views and climbing paths await.

Wilmington

“Wilmington has been on the rise for some time now. You get the seaside, a captivating downtown, and a tempo that’s relaxed with out being sleepy. It is a fantastic choice if you’d like a way of life improve with out giving up group or tradition,” says Elliot. The port metropolis is situated between the Atlantic and the Cape Concern River, so it’s a beautiful spot for anybody who needs to spend their free time on or close to the water—boating, fishing, swimming, and so on. With a median dwelling worth of $416,708, Wilmington gives extra reasonably priced housing choices than among the bigger coastal cities close by in North and South Carolina.

Greensboro

“Greensboro gives a cushty way of life with a decrease value of dwelling, ample inexperienced areas, and a rising arts and tradition scene,” says Jackson, noting that the common dwelling worth is about $300,000. Different components to think about embody its job market—manufacturing is a main business in Greensboro—and its family-friendly nature. “Areas like Lindley Park and Fisher Park have gotten enticing as a consequence of their community-focused environment and greenery,” she provides. There’s additionally the Greensboro Science Middle, the Miriam P. Brenner Kids’s Museum, and Moist ‘n Wild Emerald Pointe to maintain the whole household entertained.

Fayetteville

Reasonably priced housing is without doubt one of the greatest advantages of dwelling in Fayetteville, a 209,000-person metropolis that lies between Charlotte and Wilmington. As of April 2025, the median worth was simply $245,000, and hire is 33 % decrease than the nationwide common ($1,400 vs. $2,100). Given its proximity to Fort Bragg, the Division of Protection is the most important employer within the space. Fayetteville does expertise army turnover, so these on the lookout for funding alternatives could also be within the single-family dwelling and rental market. One other perk of dwelling in Fayetteville? Its proximity to main cities. It’s a few one-hour drive to Raleigh and about 2.5 hours to Charlotte.

Mooresville

Large-city entry meets lakeside dwelling in Mooresville. Only a 30-minute drive from Charlotte, Mooresville, or “Race Metropolis, U.S.A”— it’s the placement for a lot of NASCAR and IndyCar races—sits on the shores of Lake Norman. The common dwelling worth is $484,825, although lots of the lakefront properties promote for a lot increased. As a resident, you would spend your weekends boating across the lake, grabbing groceries at Steven’s Nation Retailer & Butcher Store, sipping and strolling within the Downtown Mooresville Social District, or poking across the city’s numerous outlets and boutiques promoting domestically made wares.