North Carolina moving guide

Where should I move in North Carolina?

We ranked 47 North Carolina cities with 20,000+ residents on home affordability (income vs. home value), unemployment, education and population growth. Here are the top 15.

1. 1

   Fuquay-Varina

   Home $410,600 · Rent $1,646 · Income $111,447 · Unemployment 3.1%
   87/100
2. 2

   Holly Springs

   Home $485,500 · Rent $1,858 · Income $132,435 · Unemployment 3.5%
   86/100
3. 3

   Morrisville

   Home $481,800 · Rent $1,785 · Income $125,404 · Unemployment 3.0%
   81/100
4. 4

   Apex

   Home $514,800 · Rent $1,784 · Income $138,442 · Unemployment 3.8%
   79/100
5. 5

   Huntersville

   Home $439,300 · Rent $1,742 · Income $119,951 · Unemployment 3.6%
   78/100
6. 6

   Wake Forest

   Home $435,000 · Rent $1,458 · Income $120,777 · Unemployment 4.5%
   78/100
7. 7

   Waxhaw

   Home $506,300 · Rent $1,770 · Income $128,115 · Unemployment 3.6%
   74/100
8. 8

   Matthews

   Home $406,800 · Rent $1,670 · Income $105,579 · Unemployment 2.2%
   71/100
9. 9

   Clayton

   Home $292,400 · Rent $1,542 · Income $73,348 · Unemployment 2.0%
   69/100
10. 10

    Mooresville

    Home $348,500 · Rent $1,505 · Income $88,592 · Unemployment 4.1%
    66/100
11. 11

    Cornelius

    Home $512,400 · Rent $1,571 · Income $114,688 · Unemployment 3.6%
    64/100
12. 12

    Cary

    Home $525,200 · Rent $1,621 · Income $129,399 · Unemployment 3.4%
    62/100
13. 13

    Kannapolis

    Home $245,500 · Rent $1,168 · Income $70,691 · Unemployment 4.7%
    62/100
14. 14

    Leland

    Home $358,800 · Rent $1,603 · Income $88,576 · Unemployment 4.5%
    61/100
15. 15

    Indian Trail

    Home $343,500 · Rent $1,916 · Income $99,073 · Unemployment 5.7%
    60/100

Statewide, North Carolina recorded 2,141 crimes per 100,000 people in 2025 — #15 highest of 50 states (FBI).

Also see: Best counties in North Carolina to live

Sources: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year estimates (2023); FBI Crime Data Explorer.