North Carolina · best for retirees · #21 of 50 states

Best Cities for Retirees in North Carolina

North Carolina ranks #21 of 50 for retirees, with a retirees score of 64.2. Cary is its best city for retirees at 72.8.

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#1 city in NC for retirees

Cary72.8

Retirees score out of 100

North Carolina, all states: #21 of 50
Population: 179,306

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Tax burden

8.18%

% of income

Income tax

4.25%

State + local

Life expectancy

75.9 yr

CDC NCHS

Home value

$334,773

Typical home value

Cost of living

94.3

BEA RPP · 100 = avg

North Carolina for Retirees: The Full Picture

North Carolina sits at #21 out of 50 for retirees — solidly in the middle tier. The state offers healthcare that, while accessible, isn't among the nation's strongest alongside below-average living costs (cost-of-living index: 94.3). It's a state where retirement can work well with proper planning, though it lacks the standout advantages of top-tier retirement destinations.

For retirees, healthcare access and tax friendliness are non-negotiable. North Carolina's health score of 47/100 is middling — life expectancy of 75.9 years is roughly in line with national norms, but healthcare quality varies by region. On the tax front, the overall burden stands at 8.18% of income. The 4.25% income tax rate is relatively modest. Property taxes run 0.73% (effective rate), which is among the lowest in the nation.

A typical home value of $334,773 is manageable for retirees selling homes in higher-cost markets. The state's safety profile is reassuring, with a safety score of 63/100. Livability amenities are more limited compared to top-ranked states, so retirees who value a vibrant social scene should focus their search on the state's larger metro areas.

All 22 Cities Ranked for Retirees

# City	Grade	Retirees score	Overall	Health	Household finances	Affordability	Population
1Cary	A+	72.8	71.2	80	88	53	179,306
2Apex	A+	72.4	74.9	78	97	51	70,630
3Wake Forest	A+	69.8	69.2	70	86	59	52,844
4Huntersville	A+	69.3	68.0	76	87	57	63,969
5Mooresville	B+	63.4	60.5	66	66	63	52,381
6Raleigh	B+	59.9	61.2	64	55	62	481,031
7Concord	B+	58.9	60.8	58	60	67	108,719
8Chapel Hill	A	58.8	65.1	70	43	54	61,607
9Asheville	C	56.9	51.7	62	45	64	94,535
10Durham	B	56.2	57.4	55	54	64	291,467
11Kannapolis	B	55.7	57.9	49	49	72	57,890
12Charlotte	B	55.5	56.3	64	54	64	903,844
13High Point	C+	53.6	53.3	46	39	78	116,245
14Burlington	D	51.5	48.1	39	35	81	59,610
15Wilmington	B	51.0	55.7	58	40	67	120,805
16Greensboro	C	50.0	49.7	44	36	77	301,198
17Gastonia	D	49.0	47.3	44	38	73	82,884
18Jacksonville	C+	48.4	53.4	62	42	78	71,279
19Rocky Mount	D	48.4	44.4	29	28	86	54,297
20Winston-Salem	D	47.8	47.8	39	33	79	252,037
21Fayetteville	D	47.0	46.8	40	33	79	210,815
22Greenville	C	45.2	49.6	44	16	83	92,857

City retirees 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. City scores for retirees also weigh the county's expected yearly building losses from natural hazards (FEMA), lower is better; the share of adults without health insurance (CDC PLACES), a sign of local healthcare access, lower is better; the median age of residents (Census ACS), older is better: more peers and retiree services.

Compare: States with Similar Retirees Rankings

Also See: North Carolina for Other Lifestyles

Frequently Asked Questions

Is North Carolina a good state for retirees?

North Carolina ranks #21 out of 50 for retirees with a persona-weighted score of 64.2/100. Its strongest relevant category is Affordability (74/100) and its weakest is Outdoor Access (14/100).

What is the best city for retirees in North Carolina?

Cary ranks #1 in North Carolina for retirees with a score of 72.8/100, followed by Apex and Wake Forest.

What factors are most important for retirees in North Carolina?

Rankings weighted toward low taxes, quality healthcare, affordable living, safety, community livability, and pleasant environment — the priorities for retirement years.