Best Cities in North Carolina (2026)

Top cities in North Carolina by composite livability score.

Minimum population: 25,000

13 of 13

#↑	City	Population	Score	Med. Income
🥇	CaryNC	174,880	86	$125,317
🥈	ConcordNC	105,335	75	$83,480
🥉	RaleighNC	465,517	70	$78,631
4	DurhamNC	284,094	66	$74,710
5	WilmingtonNC	116,933	63	$58,908
6	GreenvilleNC	87,894	63	$47,485
7	CharlotteNC	875,045	61	$74,070
8	High PointNC	114,120	61	$58,582
9	GreensboroNC	297,202	57	$55,051
10	AshevilleNC	93,695	57	$63,810
11	Winston-SalemNC	249,571	51	$54,416
12	GastoniaNC	80,615	51	$58,047
13	FayettevilleNC	208,697	50	$53,424

About This Ranking

Top cities in North Carolina by composite livability score.

Calculated using Top City Reports's proprietary scoring methodology.

Cities must have a population of at least 25,000.