These are the best North Carolina cities to live in, according to recent report

North Carolina is home to some pretty amazing places, from the mountains to the coast, but a new report reveals which are the best of the best.

As part of its annual Best Places to Live ranking, Niche released a list of the best cities to live in the state based on crime, public schools, cost of living, job opportunities and local amenities.

Coming in as the No. 1 ranked city in North Carolina is the state capital, Raleigh:

• Overall Niche grade: A+

• Public schools: A

• Good for families: A

• Diversity: A

• Nightlife: A-

• Housing: B

• Crime and Safety: C

Raleigh is the largest city of the Research Triangle metro area, with a population of about 477,084 people. Known as the City of Oaks, it’s home to several colleges and universities, multiple shopping malls, state museums, hundreds of parks and more.

In addition to being named the top place to live in North Carolina, Raleigh was also among the top 25 best cities in America, best cities to raise a family and with the best public schools in the country, according to Niche.

Here’s a look at which other metros made the list of best places to live.

Charlotte

• Overall Niche grade: A

• Public schools: B+

• Good for families: A-

• Diversity: A+

• Nightlife: A

• Housing: B-

• Crime and Safety: C-

Durham

• Overall Niche grade: A

• Public schools: B-

• Good for families: B+

• Diversity: A+

• Nightlife: A-

• Housing: B-

• Crime and Safety: C-

Winston-Salem

• Overall Niche grade: A

• Public schools: B+

• Good for families: A-

• Diversity: A+

• Nightlife: B+

• Housing: B

• Crime and Safety: (Niche grade not listed)

Greensboro

• Overall Niche grade: A-

• Public schools: B

• Good for families: B+

• Diversity: A+

• Nightlife: A-

• Housing: B-

• Crime and Safety: C-

Wilmington

• Overall Niche grade: A-

• Public schools: A-

• Good for families: B+

• Diversity: A-

• Nightlife: A

• Housing: C

• Crime and Safety: C-

High Point

• Overall Niche grade: A-

• Public schools: B

• Good for families: B+

• Diversity: A+

• Nightlife: B+

• Housing: B

• Crime and Safety: C-

Fayetteville

• Overall Niche grade: B+

• Public schools: B

• Good for families: B

• Diversity: A+

• Nightlife: A-

• Housing: B-

• Crime and Safety: D+

This story was originally published March 28, 2024 at 3:28 PM with the headline "These are the best North Carolina cities to live in, according to recent report."

Chyna Blackmon

The Charlotte Observer

Chyna Blackmon was a service journalism reporter for The Charlotte Observer. A native of the Carolinas, she grew up in Columbia, SC, and graduated from Queens University of Charlotte. She’s also worked in local television news in Charlotte, NC, and Richmond, VA. Support my work with a digital subscription