Top Cities in North Carolina

North Carolina at a Glance

The Old North State has something for almost every taste, whether you’re a beach bum, craving a mountain hideaway, or energized by a big city setting. The state has an incredible, vibrant history that feels present even in the 21^st century. The beaches and islands of the Outer Banks were once prowled by pirates like the notorious Edward Teach, better known as Blackbeard, and legends of hidden treasure persist to this day. Even greater mystery shrouds the fate of the Roanoke Island colony.

Inland, Asheville serves up architectural delights, from the famed Biltmore Estate to the city’s art deco historic district. The state is a history buff’s dream destination. North Carolina is equally appealing to outdoor enthusiasts. Mount Mitchell offers world-class hiking thanks to its standing as the highest peak east of the Mississippi. Almost 100 miles of the Appalachian trail run through the state. Extreme adventure lives here as well: the city of Charlotte is home to the US National Whitewater Center. In the winter, ski resorts like Sugar Mountain and Beech Mountain offer all manner of icy entertainment. The state also boasts 300 miles of shoreline, with everything from hang gliding at Jockey’s Ridge to surfing at Wrightsville Beach. The arts and culture scene is diverse, celebrating the state’s rich indigenous heritage, mountain traditions, and modern sensibilities.

Top Cities in North Carolina

• Apex  
• Asheville  
• Burlington  
• Cary  
• Chapel Hill  
• Charlotte  
• Clayton  
• Clemmons  
• Concord  
• Durham  
• Fuquay Varina  
• Garner  
• Gastonia  
• Greensboro  
• Hendersonville  

Why You’ll Love Living in North Carolina

North Carolina has a promising economic future. Though it is still the nation’s top producer of tobacco, it has reduced its past dependence on agriculture and textiles in favor of cutting-edge industries like biotech and alternative energy, as well as finance. Its metropolitan areas have seen the greatest growth, particularly Charlotte. The state’s largest employers include the University of North Carolina, with 30,000 employed at their Chapel Hill campus alone. Merrill Lynch and Wells Fargo, both located in Charlotte, and the Wake Forest hospital and cancer center in Winston-Salem each employ more than 10,000 people. Tourism is another significant industry for the state, employing nearly 200,000. North Carolina is home to more than 10 million residents, with a median household income of $47,000.

North Carolina’s real estate market has seen relatively healthy growth since the recession. The state’s hottest housing markets are in Asheville, Charlotte, Raleigh, and Wilmington. Charlotte is probably the state’s best buyer’s market. Inventory was up eight percent over last year, while home value appreciation has leveled out. The median list price for a home in Charlotte is $173,000; though it’s considerably higher than the state median of $153,000, it is still lower than the national median of $181,000. Homes in Asheville are selling at a median $196,000, while those in Raleigh are at $208,000. Wilmington real estate is among the highest-priced in the state at a median $231,000. Beachfront property has seen some of the state’s highest appreciation rates since 1990, especially in Bald Head Island, Harker’s Island, and Kure Beach.