Quick answer
North Carolina can be a good place to live in 2027 if its numbers fit your life: the app's top-scoring places have a median home value of $437,150, rent of $1,706/month and household income of $120,364, and the state's violent crime rate (331 per 100k, 2025) is above the median state. Start your research with Fuquay-Varina, Holly Springs, Morrisville.
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
- 1Price the whole address: taxes, insurance, utilities and HOA, not just the listing.
- 2Confirm the exact city, county and school assignment for the address.
- 3Drive the commute at the hours you will actually travel.
- 4Check flood, heat and storm exposure on official maps.
- 5Compare crime at the jurisdiction level, then visit at night.
Frequently asked questions
What Nobody Tells You About Moving to North Carolina
North Carolina can be a good place to live in 2027 if its numbers fit your life: the app's top-scoring places have a median home value of $437,150, rent of $1,706/month and household income of $120,364, and the state's violent crime rate (331 per 100k, 2025) is above the median state. Start your research with Fuquay-Varina, Holly Springs, Morrisville.
What are the best places to live in North Carolina?
In the Smart Movers Club app, the top-scoring North Carolina cities are Fuquay-Varina, Holly Springs, Morrisville, Apex, Huntersville, and the top counties are Currituck County, Johnston County, Lincoln County, Chatham County. Scores combine income, housing, growth, employment and education.
Does North Carolina have a state income tax?
Yes, North Carolina 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.
