North Carolina
Living in North Carolina puts you in prime adventure territory. Residents here enjoy 300 miles of pristine beaches and some of the country’s most beautiful old-growth hardwood forests and mountain tops. Home to Pinehurst, one of the country’s most beloved golf courses; Seagrove, the handmade-pottery capital of the U.S.; and Biltmore, America’s largest home, North Carolina has a strong tourism industry and is experiencing continual economic growth.
Read on to learn more about working and living in North Carolina, including best places to live, job opportunities, things to do and dining scenes.
Livability Elizabeth City, NC
This digital edition of the Livability Elizabeth City, NC is sponsored by Elizabeth City Area Chamber of Commerce.
Greenville-Pitt County, NC
This digital edition of the Greenville-Pitt County, NC is sponsored by Invest Greenville, NC.
Triangle East, NC
This digital edition of the Triangle East, NC is sponsored by Triangle East Chamber of Commerce.
Livability Greater Winston-Salem
This digital edition of the Livability Greater Winston-Salem is sponsored by Forvis Mazars.
Quick Facts About North Carolina
- Median Household Income
- $74,680
- Average Property Tax
- $2,696
- State Population
- 11,108,268
- Sales Tax Rate
- 4.75 %
- State Income Tax
- 4.99%
- Median Monthly Rent
- $1,063
North Carolina Businesses & Brands to Know
Places We Love In North Carolina
Cities in North Carolina on Livability.com
- Aberdeen, NC
- Albemarle, NC
- Angier, NC
- Apex, NC
- Archdale, NC
- Archer Lodge, NC
- Asheboro, NC
- Asheville, NC
- Ayden, NC
- Belmont, NC
- Bessemer City, NC
- Black Mountain, NC
- Boiling Spring Lakes, NC
- Boone, NC
- Brevard, NC
- Burlington, NC
- Butner, NC
- Carolina Beach, NC
- Carrboro, NC
- Cary, NC
- Chapel Hill, NC
- Charlotte, NC
- Cherryville, NC
- Clayton, NC
- Clemmons, NC
- Clinton, NC
- Concord, NC
- Conover, NC
- Cornelius, NC
- Cullowhee, NC
- Dallas, NC
- Davidson, NC
- Dunn, NC
- Durham, NC
- East Flat Rock, NC
- Eden, NC
- Elizabeth City, NC
- Elon, NC
- Etowah, NC
- Fayetteville, NC
- Fletcher, NC
- Forest City, NC
- Fuquay-Varina, NC
- Garner, NC
- Gastonia, NC
- Gibsonville, NC
- Goldsboro, NC
- Graham, NC
- Greensboro, NC
- Greenville, NC
- Half Moon, NC
- Hamlet, NC
- Hampstead, NC
- Harrisburg, NC
- Havelock, NC
- Henderson, NC
- Hendersonville, NC
- Hickory, NC
- High Point, NC
- Hillsborough, NC
- Holly Springs, NC
- Hope Mills, NC
- Huntersville, NC
- Indian Trail, NC
- Jacksonville, NC
- James City, NC
- Kannapolis, NC
- Kernersville, NC
- Kill Devil Hills, NC
- King, NC
- Kings Grant, NC
- Kings Mountain, NC
- Kinston, NC
- Knightdale, NC
- Lake Norman of Catawba, NC
- Laurinburg, NC
- Leland, NC
- Lenoir, NC
- Lewisville, NC
- Lexington, NC
- Lincolnton, NC
- Lumberton, NC
- Marion, NC
- Marvin, NC
- Matthews, NC
- Mebane, NC
- Mills River, NC
- Mint Hill, NC
- Mocksville, NC
- Monroe, NC
- Mooresville, NC
- Morehead City, NC
- Morganton, NC
- Morrisville, NC
- Mount Airy, NC
- Mount Holly, NC
- Murraysville, NC
- Myrtle Grove, NC
- Nashville, NC
- New Bern, NC
- Newton, NC
- Oak Island, NC
- Oak Ridge, NC
- Ogden, NC
- Oxford, NC
- Pinehurst, NC
- Pineville, NC
- Piney Green, NC
- Porters Neck, NC
- Raeford, NC
- Raleigh, NC
- Reidsville, NC
- Roanoke Rapids, NC
- Rockingham, NC
- Rocky Mount, NC
- Rolesville, NC
- Roxboro, NC
- Salisbury, NC
- Sanford, NC
- Sawmills, NC
- Selma, NC
- Seven Lakes, NC
- Shallotte, NC
- Shelby, NC
- Siler City, NC
- Silver Lake, NC
- Smithfield, NC
- Southern Pines, NC
- Spring Lake, NC
- St. Stephens, NC
- Stallings, NC
- Statesville, NC
- Stokesdale, NC
- Summerfield, NC
- Tarboro, NC
- Thomasville, NC
- Trinity, NC
- Unionville, NC
- Wadesboro, NC
- Wake Forest, NC
- Walkertown, NC
- Washington, NC
- Waxhaw, NC
- Waynesville, NC
- Weddington, NC
- Wendell, NC
- Wesley Chapel, NC
- Westport, NC
- Whiteville, NC
- Williamston, NC
- Wilmington, NC
- Wilson, NC
- Winston-Salem, NC
- Winterville, NC
- Woodfin, NC
- Wrightsboro, NC
- Zebulon, NC
Experiences & Adventures in North Carolina
7 Ways to Experience Appalachian History in the Smoky Mountains
Ready to look past the tourist strips? From 18th-century Cherokee living villages and traffic-free bike loops to heritage moonshine tastings, discover the true heartbeat of the hills.
From Sea to Shining Sea: The Ultimate Guide to Celebrating America’s 250
Gear up for July 4, 2026! Discover the ultimate guide to celebrating America's 250th birthday, featuring historic 13 colonies sites, the Civil Rights Trail and new museum openings.
In Full Bloom: The Best Cities for the First Signs of Spring
Did the winter blues have you dreaming of warmer weather? Well, good news! Spring is right around the corner, and these are the best cities to catch Mother Nature in full bloom.
Food Scenes in North Carolina
10 Great Restaurants in Greenville, NC, You Must Try
From sushi to steak and classic barbecue, Greenville, North Carolina, is packed with a range of restaurants to please every palate. Eastern North Carolina is famous for its barbecue, with… Continue reading North Carolina
5 Awesome North Carolina Beer Cities (That Aren’t Asheville)
Craft beer lovers know Asheville is a must-visit. But don't sleep on North Carolina's other awesome beer scenes.
The Official Food of Each State in the U.S
Eat your way through America the beautiful with our guide to the official food of each state.
Healthy Places in North Carolina
Unexpected Healthcare Hubs: 6 Cities Redefining the Future of Medicine
Beyond the major metros, these unexpected healthcare hubs are redefining the future of medicine.
3 Winston-Salem Bioscience Companies Lead the Way
Here's a sampling of companies that are making new advances in medicine.
North Carolina: Where to Live Now
Top 25 Best Places to Live in the Southeast
Southern charm is at its finest in these 25 Southeastern cities.
Best Places To Live in North Carolina
From majestic mountains and sandy beaches to NASCAR races, these North Carolina cities all offer something unique.
Why I Live in Asheville (and You Should, Too!)
Its great outdoors and live music scene make the city a prime destination for young professionals and families.
Education, Careers and Opportunity in North Carolina
Beyond Silicon Valley: 5 Up-and-Coming Tech Hotspots
Silicon Prairie, anyone? These unexpected regions are emerging as America's brightest — not to mention affordable and inclusive — tech hubs.
Asheville, NC: Where Entrepreneurs Excel
Meet some of the fastest-growing startups in Asheville and find out what's behind their success.
Small Towns, Big Changes in Elizabeth City, NC
This North Carolina city is seeing a slew of new developments.
North Carolina: Love Where You Live
50 Things You Didn’t Know About the Olympics
Can't make it to Milano Cortina for the Winter Games and have some serious FOMO? Us, too! Here are 50 things you might not know about the Milano Cortina 2026 Olympic Games.
How to Help: Hurricane Helene Relief Resources
Support communities impacted by Hurricane Helene.
Set Your Sights on Volunteering in Elizabeth City
Residents and newcomers find fulfilling connections here, thanks to people's willingness to help their neighbors.
Data used on Livability.com is provided from the most recent release (November 2025) by Applied Geographic Solutions (AGS). Our LivScore is calculated in partnership with AGS. Sales tax sources: Sales Tax Clearinghouse, Tax Foundation, and State Revenue Departments. Local rates are population-weighted to account for municipal variations.
