Quick answer
North Carolina is the lower-cost option on housing: the median home value across the app's top-scoring places is $437,150 versus $547,300. New York shows +0.2% population change and North Carolina +2.9%. Neither is "better" for everyone — the right answer depends on your income, job, commute and the exact county you choose.
| Metric | New York | North Carolina | Raleigh, NC |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median home value | $547,300 | $437,150 | $377,800 |
| Median rent | $2,115/mo | $1,706/mo | $1,468/mo |
| Household income | $142,413 | $120,364 | $82,424 |
| Population change | +0.2% | +2.9% | +1.1% |
| Violent crime / 100k (state) | 368 | 331 | 331 |
| Home value ÷ income | 3.8× | 3.6× | 4.6× |
| State wage income tax | Yes | Yes | Yes |
New York in numbers
Median home value
$547,300
Top-scoring places
Median rent
$2,115/mo
Household income
$142,413
Violent crime / 100k
368
New York, 2025
Population change
+0.2%
Tracked places + counties
Home value change
+5.0%
State wage income tax
Yes
Home value ÷ income
3.8×
| Place | Score | Home value | Rent | Income | Pop. change |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Niskayuna, NY | 88 | $326,600 | $1,528 | $128,346 | +0.7% |
| Commack, NY | 77 | $647,000 | $2,396 | $170,375 | +1.6% |
| Merrick, NY | 77 | $715,700 | $2,756 | $179,415 | +3.9% |
| Rotterdam, NY | 76 | $203,700 | $1,212 | $81,830 | +0.6% |
| Dix Hills, NY | 74 | $891,400 | $2,804 | $219,636 | +1.6% |
| Huntington, NY | 72 | $733,000 | $2,347 | $162,066 | +2.6% |
| Place | Score | Home value | Rent | Income | Pop. change |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Saratoga County | 76 | $324,800 | $1,347 | $99,653 | +0.3% |
| Putnam County | 72 | $448,000 | $1,824 | $127,405 | +0.0% |
| Suffolk County | 70 | $539,500 | $2,190 | $128,329 | +0.1% |
| Wayne County | 70 | $163,400 | $929 | $73,914 | -0.2% |
| Ontario County | 68 | $202,900 | $1,126 | $79,814 | +0.1% |
| Otsego County | 65 | $175,900 | $942 | $67,086 | +0.1% |
North Carolina in numbers
Median home value
$437,150
Top-scoring places
Median rent
$1,706/mo
Household income
$120,364
Violent crime / 100k
331
North Carolina, 2025
Population change
+2.9%
Tracked places + counties
Home value change
+12.0%
State wage income tax
Yes
Home value ÷ income
3.6×
| Place | Score | Home value | Rent | Income | Pop. change |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fuquay-Varina, NC | 87 | $410,600 | $1,646 | $111,447 | +6.6% |
| Holly Springs, NC | 86 | $485,500 | $1,858 | $132,435 | +3.3% |
| Morrisville, NC | 81 | $481,800 | $1,785 | $125,404 | +2.4% |
| Apex, NC | 79 | $514,800 | $1,784 | $138,442 | +3.4% |
| Huntersville, NC | 78 | $439,300 | $1,742 | $119,951 | +2.1% |
| Wake Forest, NC | 78 | $435,000 | $1,458 | $120,777 | +6.6% |
| Place | Score | Home value | Rent | Income | Pop. change |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Currituck County | 79 | $351,200 | $1,126 | $91,548 | +3.5% |
| Johnston County | 77 | $267,600 | $1,007 | $79,838 | +3.5% |
| Lincoln County | 76 | $279,500 | $977 | $78,490 | +2.8% |
| Chatham County | 75 | $397,800 | $1,066 | $88,534 | +2.0% |
| Union County | 74 | $374,400 | $1,390 | $99,243 | +2.0% |
| Camden County | 73 | $289,800 | $1,220 | $87,781 | +1.9% |
Verdict factors to check before you decide
- 1Compare take-home pay after state income tax in both places.
- 2Price the whole address: taxes, insurance, utilities and HOA, not just the listing.
- 3Confirm the exact city, county and school assignment for the address.
- 4Drive the commute at the hours you will actually travel.
- 5Check flood, heat and storm exposure on official maps.
- 6Compare crime at the jurisdiction level, then visit at night.
- 7Line up a job or client base before you sign a lease.
Frequently asked questions
Moving From New York to Raleigh, NC in 2027?
North Carolina is the lower-cost option on housing: the median home value across the app's top-scoring places is $437,150 versus $547,300. New York shows +0.2% population change and North Carolina +2.9%. Neither is "better" for everyone — the right answer depends on your income, job, commute and the exact county you choose.
What are the best places to live in New York?
In the Smart Movers Club app, the top-scoring New York cities are Niskayuna, Commack, Merrick, Rotterdam, Dix Hills, and the top counties are Saratoga County, Putnam County, Suffolk County, Wayne County. Scores combine income, housing, growth, employment and education.
Does New York have a state income tax?
Yes, New York taxes wage income. Check the state revenue department for current rates and compare property and sales taxes too.
Where does this data come from?
Figures come from the Smart Movers Club app, which compiles U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey estimates and FBI state crime rates. Census figures are survey estimates, not live listing prices.
