50
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11
Scoring categories
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Data sources

Rankings are computed from publicly available federal and state government datasets, supplemented by a handful of published indexes (such as the Tax Foundation, Child Care Aware of America and Zillow Research). Figures are used as each source publishes them, including the FBI's own state crime estimates; nothing is synthetic or modeled by us, and every source is cited below.

  • Bureau of Labor Statistics, LAUS annual averages·
  • U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 1-year·
  • FBI Crime Data Explorer, estimated crimes by state·
  • CDC NCHS U.S. State Life Tables·
  • CDC BRFSS·
  • U.S. Census Bureau, ACS (table S2701)·
  • NAEP, The Nation's Report Card·
  • EDFacts adjusted cohort graduation rate (NCES)·
  • U.S. Census Bureau, Population Estimates·
  • Cook Political Report, PVI·
  • Tax Foundation, Facts & Figures·
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  • WalletHub Tax Burden Study·
  • Zillow Research, Zillow Home Value Index·
  • BEA Regional Price Parities·
  • EPA AirData, Median AQI by County·
  • EIA State Electricity Profiles·
  • FEMA National Risk Index·
  • U.S. Census Bureau, Net Domestic Migration·
  • U.S. Census Bureau, ACS Broadband Subscriptions·
  • National Park Service API·
  • USGS Protected Areas Database (PAD-US)·
  • U.S. Census Bureau, County Business Patterns·
  • U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 1-year Commuting·
  • FHWA Highway Statistics·
  • U.S. Census Bureau, County Business Patterns·
  • EIA residential electricity prices·
  • EIA State Energy Data System, motor gasoline prices·
  • EIA Natural Gas Prices, residential·
  • Child Care Aware of America, Price & Supply·
  • Tax Foundation, State Income Tax Rates and Brackets·
  • BEA Regional Price Parities, goods·
  • NCES Common Core of Data (CCD)·
  • EDFacts ACGR Graduation Rates·
  • NCES School District Finance Survey (F-33)·
  • BEA GDP by State (SAGDP9)·
  • NASBO Fiscal Survey of States·
  • Census Bureau State Government Finances·
  • Pew Charitable Trusts Fiscal 50·
  • Pew Charitable Trusts, State Pension Funding·
  • S&P/Moody's via Ballotpedia·
  • Bureau of Labor Statistics, OES·
  • IRS Statistics of Income, State-to-State Migration·
  • U.S. Census Bureau, ACS State-to-State Migration Flows·
  • Zillow Research, Home Values, Rents & Market Metrics·
  • FBI Crime Data Explorer, city police agency reports·
  • CDC PLACES, city health estimates·
  • NOAA U.S. Climate Normals·
  • EPA National Walkability Index
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Home/NC/Best for Remote Workers
North Carolina · best for remote workers · #17 of 50 states

Best Cities for Remote Workers in North Carolina

North Carolina ranks #17 of 50 for remote workers, with a remote workers score of 56.9. Apex is its best city for remote workers at 72.9.

See all 50 states for remote workers →

#1 city in NC for remote workers
Apex72.9
Remote Workers score out of 100
North Carolina, all states
#17 of 50
Population
70,630
Open Apex →
Cost of living
94.3
BEA RPP · 100 = avg
Broadband
93.2%
Households subscribed · Census ACS
Work from home
15.4%
Census ACS
Tax burden
8.18%
% of income
Outdoor score
14/100
Parks + trails + land

North Carolina for Remote Workers: The Full Picture

North Carolina ranks #17 out of 50 for remote workers — a strong option for those whose income isn't tied to local job markets. Remote work fundamentally changes the relocation calculus: when your salary comes from elsewhere, what matters is how far it stretches locally and how good daily life feels. On that front, North Carolina's cost-of-living index of 94.3 is well below the national average — a remote worker earning a coastal salary here gains significant purchasing power.

The high work-from-home rate of 15.4% suggests an established remote work culture with coworking spaces and digital infrastructure already in place. 93.2% of households have a broadband subscription, at or above the 50-state average, so home internet is widely adopted.

Taxes are moderate at 8.18% of income — not a major draw but not a dealbreaker. Housing affordability (score: 74/100) is a clear advantage — the typical home is worth $334,773, a manageable ratio for most remote salaries.

All 22 Cities Ranked for Remote Workers

#  CityGradeRemote Workers scoreOverallAffordabilityEconomyPopulation
1ApexA+72.974.9518970,630
2Wake ForestA+69.069.2597852,844
3CaryA+68.471.25384179,306
4HuntersvilleA+65.768.0577663,969
5MooresvilleB+61.660.5636052,381
6RaleighB+60.661.26261481,031
7ConcordB+59.760.86760108,719
8DurhamB58.957.46459291,467
9Chapel HillA58.465.1545961,607
10KannapolisB58.457.9725357,890
11CharlotteB56.456.36456903,844
12High PointC+56.153.37845116,245
13BurlingtonD54.448.1814459,610
14GreensboroC53.349.77745301,198
15WilmingtonB53.155.76751120,805
16GastoniaD52.747.3734682,884
17AshevilleC52.251.7644494,535
18Winston-SalemD51.647.87944252,037
19Rocky MountD51.544.4863254,297
20GreenvilleC51.049.6833992,857
21FayettevilleD50.346.87939210,815
22JacksonvilleC+47.153.4783971,279

City remote workers scores use each city's own data, with the category weights rescaled over the categories the city has; outdoor access has no city-level measure and is left out.

Compare: States with Similar Remote Workers Rankings

  • WisconsinRemote Workers score 59.9#12
  • MinnesotaRemote Workers score 59.7#13
  • TennesseeRemote Workers score 59.5#14
  • AlaskaRemote Workers score 58.5#15

Also See: North Carolina for Other Lifestyles

  • FamiliesFamilies score 62.8#28
  • RetireesRetirees score 64.2#21
  • Young ProfessionalsYoung Professionals score 63.1#14
  • Small BusinessSmall Business score 71.1#9
  • Outdoor EnthusiastsOutdoor Enthusiasts score 34.6#34

Frequently Asked Questions

Is North Carolina a good state for remote workers?

North Carolina ranks #17 out of 50 for remote workers with a persona-weighted score of 56.9/100. Its strongest relevant category is Affordability (74/100) and its weakest is Outdoor Access (14/100).

What is the best city for remote workers in North Carolina?

Apex ranks #1 in North Carolina for remote workers with a score of 72.9/100, followed by Wake Forest and Cary.

What factors are most important for remote workers in North Carolina?

Rankings weighted toward affordable cost of living, strong economy, outdoor access, livability, low taxes, and safe communities — what remote workers prioritize when choosing where to live.