10 Finest 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. “Individuals come for the alternatives and keep as a result of it seems like dwelling.” Dwelling costs have additionally remained fairly secure over the previous couple of years. Based on Redfin, the median sale value of a house in Raleigh was round $440,000 in April 2025, a 3.4 p.c improve from the yr prior.

And for those who’re not prepared to purchase? You’ll nonetheless probably discover a whole lot on lease; common lease within the capital metropolis is $1,888, 10 p.c 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 resulting from their mix of historic attraction and fashionable facilities.”

Durham

Raleigh and Durham could be incessantly lumped collectively, however, as any resident of both metropolis will inform you, they’re decidedly completely 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 also be extra reasonably priced. Whereas the market remains to be aggressive, the typical 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 a number of the largest employers within the space.

Chapel Hill

In the event you’re concerned about a small city with a larger-than-life popularity, 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. This can be a vacation spot the place residents get pleasure from reside music, public artwork, a quaint historic district, breweries, and a wide range of native eating places. Whereas the housing market is expensive—the median sale value exceeds $600,000—there are a number of charming small cities simply exterior of Chapel Hill to contemplate. These looking for 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 alternative” for individuals who need a “mixture of metropolis life and room to breathe.” It’s additionally supreme for frequent vacationers; Charlotte Douglas Worldwide Airport is a significant hub for American Airways. “Charlotte retains pushing ahead. It is obtained critical momentum, nice job alternatives, a robust cultural scene, and neighborhoods like South Finish and NoDa that hold getting higher,” he says. After the true property growth of 2020 and 2021, the housing market hasn’t drastically modified; the typical dwelling worth in Charlotte is simply over $405,000.

Cary

“Cary is a type of locations the place every part is simply straightforward. It is secure, well-planned, and constantly delivers on high quality of life. Nice colleges, clear neighborhoods, and the form of quiet confidence that makes it a no brainer for households,” says Elliot. Whereas it was as soon as thought of a suburb of Raleigh, Cary has developed into a definite vacation spot with its personal distinctive id. Residents get pleasure from a dynamic arts and tradition scene and top-tier eating, and the comparatively new Downtown Cary Park serves as a central gathering area for occasions and outside actions. Contemplating these elements, it might come as no shock that the true property market is somewhat aggressive. Dwelling costs have elevated 5.7 p.c from final yr, so count on to pay round $690,000 (the present median value) in your dwelling.

Winston-Salem

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

Wilmington

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

Greensboro

“Greensboro provides a snug life-style with a decrease price of dwelling, ample inexperienced areas, and a rising arts and tradition scene,” says Jackson, noting that the typical dwelling value is about $300,000. Different elements to contemplate embrace its job market—manufacturing is a significant trade in Greensboro—and its family-friendly nature. “Areas like Lindley Park and Fisher Park have gotten engaging resulting from their community-focused ambiance and greenery,” she provides. There’s additionally the Greensboro Science Middle, the Miriam P. Brenner Youngsters’s Museum, and Moist ‘n Wild Emerald Pointe to maintain the complete household entertained.

Fayetteville

Inexpensive housing is among the greatest advantages of dwelling in Fayetteville, a 209,000-person metropolis that lies between Charlotte and Wilmington. As of April 2025, the median value was simply $245,000, and lease is 33 p.c decrease than the nationwide common ($1,400 vs. $2,100). Given its proximity to Fort Bragg, the Division of Protection is the biggest employer within the space. Fayetteville does expertise navy turnover, so these searching 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

Massive-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 most of the lakefront houses promote for a lot increased. As a resident, you could possibly 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 varied retailers and boutiques promoting regionally made wares.