North Carolina
North Carolina ranks #27 of 50 US states in 2026 with a composite score of 54.4/100 and a C+ grade. Its strongest category is Affordability (75/100) and its weakest is Outdoor Access (14/100).
How Does North Carolina Rank For...
Weights vary by lifestyle. Families prioritize education & safety; retirees prioritize fiscal health & healthcare. See methodology →
Top Strengths
Areas to Watch
Category Breakdown
12-Month Composite Trend
IllustrativeCities in North Carolina
| # | City | Grade | Score | Population | Income | Crime | Cost Index |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3 | Apex | A+ | 73.4 | 72,213 | $151,386 | 54 | 98 |
| 43 | Cary | A+ | 66.4 | 178,883 | $129,607 | 104.5 | 98 |
| 69 | Huntersville | A+ | 65.0 | 62,458 | $119,951 | 207 | 97 |
| 209 | Chapel Hill | B+ | 59.9 | 59,889 | $85,825 | 181.4 | 96.6 |
| 273 | Concord | B+ | 58.3 | 110,097 | $82,262 | 112.6 | 97 |
| 357 | Raleigh | B | 56.3 | 482,425 | $86,309 | 532.9 | 98 |
| 403 | Charlotte | B | 55.2 | 911,307 | $80,581 | — | 97 |
| 485 | Kannapolis | B | 53.3 | 56,470 | $70,691 | 226.6 | — |
| 556 | Durham | C+ | 52.0 | 295,845 | $80,064 | 638.6 | 96.6 |
| 561 | Wilmington | C+ | 51.9 | 122,695 | $71,362 | 491.6 | 97.1 |
| 573 | Jacksonville | C+ | 51.7 | 72,867 | $58,146 | 287 | 91.6 |
| 688 | High Point | C | 48.6 | 116,205 | $57,436 | 449.4 | 92.7 |
| 782 | Asheville | C | 45.8 | 95,053 | $66,032 | 866.6 | 96.1 |
| 791 | Greenville | C | 45.6 | 90,059 | $51,628 | 549.7 | 91.6 |
| 808 | Gastonia | D | 45.0 | 83,949 | $63,597 | 813.2 | 97 |
| 812 | Greensboro | D | 44.8 | 302,307 | $61,747 | 828.1 | 92.7 |
| 830 | Winston-Salem | D | 44.3 | 252,970 | $59,189 | 890.4 | 91.4 |
| 852 | Burlington | D | 43.4 | 58,599 | $54,941 | 852.8 | 92.7 |
| 902 | Fayetteville | D | 41.5 | 209,751 | $59,732 | 888.4 | 91.4 |
| 960 | Rocky Mount | F | 38.1 | 54,175 | $52,927 | 881.8 | 88.2 |
Best Cities in North Carolina for...
| # | City | Families Score | 🎓 Education | 🛡️ Safety | 🏠 Affordability |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Apex | 69.9 | 54.9 | 96.7 | 63.7 |
| 2 | Cary | 65.9 | 54.9 | 91.2 | 64.7 |
| 3 | Chapel Hill | 64.3 | 70.0 | 76.5 | 64.5 |
| 4 | Huntersville | 63.4 | 48.6 | 83.2 | 66.6 |
| 5 | Concord | 62.4 | 52.6 | 92.5 | 73.0 |
More South States
North Carolina Rankings Overview
North Carolina earns an overall grade of C+ with a composite score of 54.4 out of 100, ranking #27 among all 50 US states. The state's strongest category is Affordability (75/100) while its biggest challenge is Outdoor Access (14/100).
Economy & Employment in North Carolina
With an unemployment rate of 3.5% (compared to the national average of 3.8%), North Carolina performs above average on economic indicators. The median household income is $66,880, which ranks below the national median of $74,753.
Safety & Crime in North Carolina
North Carolina's violent crime rate of 380 per 100,000 residents places it in the bottom half of states for public safety.
Health & Education in North Carolina
North Carolina ranks #32 for health outcomes according to the 2025 America's Health Rankings report, and #31 for K-12 education quality based on NAEP scores and graduation rates. Life expectancy in North Carolina is 76.9 years, and the high school graduation rate is 87%.
Taxes & Fiscal Health in North Carolina
North Carolina's total tax burden is 8.18% of personal income, which is below the national average of 8.74%. The top marginal income tax rate is 4.25%. The effective property tax rate is 0.73% and the combined state and local sales tax rate is 7%.
Housing & Affordability in North Carolina
The median home price in North Carolina is $368,000, below the national average of $394,620. The cost of living index is 94 (where 100 equals the national average), making it a more affordable state. The price-to-income ratio is 5.5x.
Environment in North Carolina
North Carolina has a median air quality index of 41 (EPA AirData), above the national average. 13% of the state's electricity comes from renewable sources. The FEMA natural disaster risk score is 24 (below average risk).
Growth & Migration in North Carolina
North Carolina's population growth rate is +1.2% year over year. The net domestic migration rate is +7.6 per 1,000 residents, indicating more people are moving in than out. 88.6% of households have broadband internet access.
Best Cities in North Carolina
The top-ranked cities in North Carolina based on our composite scoring are Apex, Cary, and Huntersville. These cities score highest across economy, safety, health, and affordability metrics among the cities we track in North Carolina.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is North Carolina's overall ranking?
North Carolina ranks #27 out of 50 states with a composite score of 54.4/100 and a grade of C+.
Is North Carolina a good place to live?
North Carolina scores 54.4/100 overall, placing it in the middle tier of US states. It has notable strengths in certain categories while facing challenges in others, making it a reasonable choice depending on individual priorities and preferences.
What is the crime rate in North Carolina?
The violent crime rate in North Carolina is 380 per 100,000 residents (2024 FBI data), compared to the national average of 350 per 100,000.
How does North Carolina's economy compare?
North Carolina's median household income is $66,880 with an unemployment rate of 3.5%. The unemployment rate is below the national average of 3.8%, and the median income is below the national median of $74,753.
What are the best cities in North Carolina?
Based on our composite scoring, the top-ranked cities in North Carolina are Apex, Cary, and Huntersville.
How does North Carolina rank for families?
North Carolina ranks #31 of 50 states for families with a score of 54/100. This is a lower-tier ranking based on weights emphasizing education, safety, housing.
How does North Carolina rank for retirees?
North Carolina ranks #24 of 50 states for retirees with a score of 61/100. This is a mid-tier ranking based on weights emphasizing health, fiscal, housing.
How does North Carolina rank for remote workers?
North Carolina ranks #17 of 50 states for remote workers with a score of 59/100. This is a mid-tier ranking based on weights emphasizing housing, economy, outdoor.