This NC destination is the No. 1 ‘most desirable’ place to live, US report finds
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- U.S. News studied population and search data to determine the places people want to live.
- Brunswick County, along the coast, ranked No. 1 in the country.
- Jobs and relative affordability could be attracting people to North Carolina.
North Carolina is home to the most desirable place to live in the United States, a new report finds.
Brunswick County ranks No. 1 on a list of top counties people have considered calling home, according to results the website U.S. News & World Report last updated in late January.
“The Southern region of the U.S. has by far the most sought-after relocation destinations in our research,” U.S. News wrote in its report. “Mild temperatures, coastal living and year-round outdoor activities are likely driving this interest, though lower costs of living, with more affordable housing, may also factor into this.”
Brunswick County is located along the coast in the southeastern corner of North Carolina. The destination topped the national list after U.S. News said it studied the ratio of people moving into and out of counties across the country. It also considered the places that people looked up online in 2025, focusing on searches that indicated their interest in moving.
Which other NC counties rank high?
Brunswick County — which has roughly 167,000 residents — is home to the popular waterfront destinations of Oak Island, Ocean Isle Beach and Southport. It wasn’t the only North Carolina destination to make its mark on the national list.
Here’s how other counties fared in the top 50 rankings:
- Catawba County at No. 7
- Gaston County at No. 10
- Johnston County at No. 14
- New Hanover County at No. 24
- Henderson County at No. 27
- Wake County at No. 36
- Union County at No. 39
- Alamance County at No. 44
- Buncombe County at No. 48
- Iredell County at No. 50
And here are some other North Carolina highlights from the U.S. News rankings:
- North Carolina at No. 4 for most desirable states
- Apex at No. 10 for most desirable cities
Why people are dreaming about NC?
So, what makes North Carolina so attractive? It’s a mix, with U.S. News saying people may be drawn to jobs, the state’s relative affordability or other factors.
“The South Atlantic region includes popular vacation and retirement spots and plenty of natural beauty, coinciding with outdoor recreation opportunities like boating and golfing,” U.S. News wrote, adding that the South dominated the list of places potential movers were dreaming about.
It’s not the first time North Carolina was named one of the hottest states. In 2024, the real estate website Clever also ranked it among the top places drawing people’s interest in moving, The News & Observer reported.
This story was originally published February 20, 2026 at 10:49 AM with the headline "This NC destination is the No. 1 ‘most desirable’ place to live, US report finds."
