Where are the best places to buy a house in NC? New report reveals top ranked cities

If you’re looking to settle down in North Carolina, a new report reveals the best cities in the state to buy a house.

As part of its annual rankings, Niche released a list of the top places for new homeowners based on home values, property taxes, home ownership rates, housing costs, and real estate trends.

Coming in as the overall best place to buy a house in North Carolina is Winston-Salem.

Winston-Salem — which started out as two towns originally one mile apart — is located in Forsyth County. Known as the state’s city of arts and innovation, the “Twin City” is home to around 251,350 people.

According to the report, Winston-Salem was also ranked among the top 30 best places to buy a house in the country and one of the best places to live in the state.

Using data from housing and community data from the U.S. Census, FBI, and other data sources, here’s which other North Carolina metros ranked as the best to buy a house:

Best places to buy a house in NC

Winston-Salem

• Overall Niche grade: A

• Public schools: B+

• Housing: B

• Good for families: A-

• Crime and Safety: N/A

• Nightlife: B+

• Diversity: A+

Raleigh

• Overall Niche grade: A+

• Public schools: A

• Housing: B

• Good for families: A

• Crime and Safety: C

• Nightlife: A-

• Diversity: A

High Point

• Overall Niche grade: A-

• Public schools: B

• Housing: B

• Good for families: B+

• Crime and Safety: C-

• Nightlife: B+

• Diversity: A+

Greensboro

• Overall Niche grade: A-

• Public schools: B

• Housing: B-

• Good for families: B+

• Crime and Safety: C-

• Nightlife: A-

• Diversity: A+

Fayetteville

• Overall Niche grade: B+

• Public schools: B

• Housing: B-

• Good for families: B

• Crime and Safety: D+

• Nightlife: A-

• Diversity: A+

Durham

• Overall Niche grade: A

• Public schools: B-

• Housing: B-

• Good for families: B+

• Crime and Safety: C-

• Nightlife: A-

• Diversity: A+

Charlotte

• Overall Niche grade: A

• Public schools: B+

• Housing: B-

• Good for families: A-

• Crime and Safety: C-

• Nightlife: A

• Diversity: A+

Wilmington

• Overall Niche grade: A-

• Public schools: A-

• Housing: C

• Good for families: B+

• Crime and Safety: C-

• Nightlife: A

• Diversity: A-

This story was originally published June 24, 2024 at 7:00 AM.

Chyna Blackmon

The Charlotte Observer

Chyna Blackmon was a service journalism reporter for The Charlotte Observer. A native of the Carolinas, she grew up in Columbia, SC, and graduated from Queens University of Charlotte. She’s also worked in local television news in Charlotte, NC, and Richmond, VA. Support my work with a digital subscription