Raleigh

“Raleigh simply works. It is rising quick, however nonetheless has a grounded, approachable really feel. Between the tech jobs, parks, occasions, and meals, there’s something for everybody,” Steven David Elliot of Fathom Realty tells Journey + Leisure. “Folks come for the alternatives and keep as a result of it looks like dwelling.” Residence costs have additionally remained fairly secure over the previous couple of years. In accordance with Redfin, the median sale value of a house in Raleigh was round $440,000 in April 2025, a 3.4 p.c enhance from the yr prior.

And in the event you’re not prepared to purchase? You’ll nonetheless possible discover a whole lot on lease; average rent within the capital metropolis is $1,888, 10 p.c decrease than the nationwide common. Juanita Corry Jackson of Juanita Jackson Realty recommends beginning your search within the North Hills and Oakwood neighborhoods, which she says are “gaining recognition as a consequence of their mix of historic attraction and trendy facilities.”

Durham

Raleigh and Durham may be incessantly lumped collectively, however, as any resident of both metropolis will inform you, they’re decidedly completely different. Durham is smaller—with a inhabitants of round 290,000 in comparison with about 482,000 in Raleigh—and its tradition leans extra artistic than company. Actual property in Durham can be extra inexpensive. Whereas the market continues to be aggressive, the typical dwelling worth is simply over $410,000. Moreover, anybody working within the increased schooling, medical, or monetary fields may have stable job prospects in Durham. Duke College, the Duke College Well being System, and Constancy are among the largest employers in the area.

Chapel Hill

If you happen to’re inquisitive about a small city with a larger-than-life status, look no additional than Chapel Hill. A part of the Analysis Triangle, Chapel Hill is dwelling to the College of North Carolina—however there’s much more to it than faculty life. It is a vacation spot the place residents take pleasure in stay music, public artwork, a quaint historic district, breweries, and quite a lot of native eating places. Whereas the housing market is costly—the median sale value exceeds $600,000—there are a number of charming small cities simply outdoors of Chapel Hill to contemplate. These searching for extra inexpensive costs ought to go searching Mebane, Hillsborough, or Pittsboro; every is lower than a 30-minute drive from downtown Chapel Hill.

Charlotte

Elliot calls Charlotte a “stable selection” for many who need a “mixture of metropolis life and room to breathe.” It’s additionally best for frequent vacationers; Charlotte Douglas Worldwide Airport is a significant hub for American Airways. “Charlotte retains pushing ahead. It is obtained critical momentum, nice job alternatives, a robust cultural scene, and neighborhoods like South Finish and NoDa that preserve getting higher,” he says. After the true property growth of 2020 and 2021, the housing market hasn’t drastically modified; the average home value in Charlotte is simply over $405,000.

Cary

“Cary is a kind of locations the place every little thing is simply simple. It is protected, well-planned, and persistently delivers on high quality of life. Nice colleges, clear neighborhoods, and the form of quiet confidence that makes it a no brainer for households,” says Elliot. Whereas it was as soon as thought-about a suburb of Raleigh, Cary has developed into a definite vacation spot with its personal distinctive identification. Residents take pleasure in a dynamic arts and tradition scene and top-tier eating, and the comparatively new Downtown Cary Park serves as a central gathering area for occasions and out of doors actions. Contemplating these components, it might come as no shock that the true property market is rather competitive. Residence costs have elevated 5.7 p.c from final yr, so count on to pay round $690,000 (the current median price) on your dwelling.

Winston-Salem

Winston-Salem is about as well-rounded a vacation spot as they arrive, but it surely’s nonetheless on the extra inexpensive facet. The average home value is $257,523, and the general price of residing is about 9 p.c beneath the nationwide common. When you’ve secured your lodging and made the massive transfer to the realm, you can begin specializing in what else makes Winston so nice: its quite a few parks and 25 miles of greenways, a deal with schooling (it’s dwelling to Wake Forest College), and small-town occasions reminiscent of film nights and festivals. Plus, you’re inside driving distance of the Blue Ridge Parkway and the Appalachian Trail, the place scenic views and climbing paths await.

Wilmington

“Wilmington has been on the rise for some time now. You get the seashore, an enthralling downtown, and a tempo that’s relaxed with out being sleepy. It is an excellent possibility if you need a life-style improve with out giving up neighborhood or tradition,” says Elliot. The port metropolis is positioned between the Atlantic and the Cape Worry River, so it’s an exquisite spot for anybody who needs to spend their free time on or close to the water—boating, fishing, swimming, and many others. With a median dwelling worth of $416,708, Wilmington gives extra inexpensive housing choices than among the bigger coastal cities close by in North and South Carolina.

Greensboro

“Greensboro gives a cushty life-style with a decrease price of residing, ample inexperienced areas, and a rising arts and tradition scene,” says Jackson, noting that the typical dwelling value is about $300,000. Different components to contemplate embody its job market—manufacturing is a major industry in Greensboro—and its family-friendly nature. “Areas like Lindley Park and Fisher Park have gotten engaging as a consequence of their community-focused ambiance and greenery,” she provides. There’s additionally the Greensboro Science Center, the Miriam P. Brenner Children’s Museum, and Wet ‘n Wild Emerald Pointe to maintain your entire household entertained.

Fayetteville

Inexpensive housing is likely one of the greatest advantages of residing in Fayetteville, a 209,000-person metropolis that lies between Charlotte and Wilmington. As of April 2025, the median value was simply $245,000, and lease is 33 percent lower than the nationwide common ($1,400 vs. $2,100). Given its proximity to Fort Bragg, the Division of Protection is the largest employer within the space. Fayetteville does expertise navy turnover, so these on the lookout for funding alternatives could also be within the single-family dwelling and rental market. One other perk of residing in Fayetteville? Its proximity to main cities. It’s a few one-hour drive to Raleigh and about 2.5 hours to Charlotte.

Mooresville

Massive-city entry meets lakeside residing in Mooresville. Only a 30-minute drive from Charlotte, Mooresville, or “Race Metropolis, U.S.A”— it’s the situation for a lot of NASCAR and IndyCar races—sits on the shores of Lake Norman. The average home value is $484,825, although most of the lakefront houses promote for a lot increased. As a resident, you might spend your weekends boating across the lake, grabbing groceries at Steven’s Country Store & Butcher Shop, sipping and strolling within the Downtown Mooresville Social District, or poking across the city’s varied outlets and boutiques promoting domestically made wares.