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Relocating to North Carolina

Thinking about moving to NC? This is the page for you!

North Carolina Ranks 9th on the List of Largest States in the United States

And it is projected to continue to grow! With an affordable cost of living, ample career opportunities, and a sweet Southern vibe you will easily fall in love with Carolina! Love the beach or the mountains? North Carolina is the place for you!

Get All The Important Relocation Information You Need Before Moving To NC

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4 Reasons to Live in North Carolina

Affordability & Cost of Living
Community & Culture
Endless Job Opportunities
Booming Economy

Geography: 3 Regions

  • Coastal Plain
  • Piedmont
  • Mountains

20 Largest Cities in NC

Moorisville
Fuquay Varina
Holly Springs
Angier
Smithfield
Four Oaks
Knightdale
Zebulon
Rolesville
Youngsville
Sanford
Durham, NC
Greensboro
Asheboro
Kernersville
Thomasville
Lexington
Mount Airy
Clemmons
Graham
Archdale
Charlotte, NC
Naples
Elizabeth City
Charlotte
Birmingham
Charleston
Jacksonville
Nashville
Virginia Beach
Greenville
Miami
Norfolk
Memphis
Columbia
Kill Devil Hills
Huntsville
North Charleston
Nags Heads
Knoxville
Montgomery
Raleigh
Chesapeake
Tampa
Chattanooga
Mount Pleasant
Arlington
Mobile
Orlando
Durham
Hatteras
Richmond
St. Petersburg
Rock Hill
Ocracoke
Clarksville
Winston-Salem
Tuscaloosa
Newport News
Fayetteville
New Bern
Hoover
Murfreesboro
Greenville
Hialeah
Morehead City
Summerville
Franklin
Port St. Lucie
Cary
Dothan
Alexandria
Auburn
Johnson City
Goose Creek
Emerald Isle
Wilmington
Hampton
Sumter
Decatur
Tallahassee
Roanoake
Jackson
High Point
Jacksonville
Concord
Hendersonville
Florence
Portsmouth
Madison
Cape Coral
Wilmington
Greenville
Asheville
Gastonia
Jacksonville
Apex
Chapel Hill
Huntersville
Burlington

North Carolina is known for having a mild climate and all four seasons.

Temperatures fluctuate depending on the season, but in the peak of Summer it can reach over 100 degrees and in the Winter on average can reach in the low 30’s. Enjoy hiking, mountain biking, whitewater rafting, boating, tubing and kayaking. Take a scenic drive in the iconic Blue Ridge Mountains or head to the beaches, there’s much to explore!

North Carolina has 41 state parks, 10 national parks, and four national forests.

NC Has 10 Major Airports

  • Asheville Regional Airport
  • Concord Regional Airport
  • Piedmont Triad International Airport
  • Albert J. Ellis Airport
  • Raleigh–Durham International Airport
  • Charlotte/Douglas International Airport
  • Fayetteville Regional Airport
  • Pitt–Greenville Airport
  • Coastal Carolina Regional Airport
  • Wilmington International Airport

Download Our Free North Carolina Relocation Guide

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Cost of Living in Top 10 Cities

According to AreaVibes, the overall cost of living index for the state is 95, five points below the national average of 100.

Residents also pay less taxes than many other states – at least where property taxes are concerned. The state has a property tax rate below the national average.

Rent
Av. House Price
Charlotte
$1,398
$310,399
Raleigh
$1,374
$350,006
Durham
$1,307
$311,877
Winston-Salem
$1,198
$280,000
Fayetteville
$895
$150,938
Cary
$1,370
$454,096
Wilmington
$1,325
$288,733
High Point
$1,169
$272,000
Concord
$1,267
$287,278
Relocating to North Carolina

Economy + Job Market

The state has one of the healthiest economies in the country – not to mention, a highly educated and skilled workforce. North Carolina ranked 29th based on the 2019 state economy ranking.

Top Industries

  • Business and Financial Services
  • Corporate Headquarters
  • Tourism
  • Food Processing and Manufacturing
  • Aerospace and Defense
  • Furniture
  • Biotechnology and Pharmaceuticals
  • Energy (Nuclear, Cleantech, and Smart Grids)
  • Plastics and Chemicals
  • Information Technology
  • Textiles
  • Automotive, Truck as well as Heavy Machinery
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Major Employers

  • The University of North Carolina located at Chapel Hill
  • House of Raeford Farms Inc.
  • Spectrum
  • Sylvan Learning Center located in Fayetteville
  • Charter Communications
  • Smithfield Foods
  • Back of America Corp.
  • Merrill Lynch & Co.
  • Queens University of Charlotte
  • Duke Children’s Hospital
  • Moses H. Cone Memorial Hospital
  • Cape Fear Valley Medical Center
  • Rex Health Care, Inc.
  • Wells Fargo Bank
  • Wake Forest Baptist Health
  • East Carolina University
  • Duke Energy Corp.
  • Novant Health Forsyth Med Center
  • WakeMed Health & Hospitals
  • Comprehensive Cancer Center

Hospitals and Medical

  • Duke University- DURHAM
  • University of North Carolina- CHAPEL HILL
  • Vidant Medical Center- GREENVILLE
  • UNC Rex Hospital- RALEIGH
  • Wake Forest Baptist Medical- CENTER - WINSTON SALEM
  • Mission Hospital- ASHEVILLE
  • First Health Moore Regional Hospital- PINEHURST
  • Duke Regional Hospital- DURHAM
  • WakeMed Health & Hospitals- RALEIGH
  • WakeMed Cary Hospital- CARY
  • Carolinas Medical Center- CHARLOTTE
  • Moses H. Cone Memorial Hospital- GREENSBORO
  • Carolinas Healthcare System Pineville- CHARLOTTE
  • CarolinaEast Medical Center- NEW BERN
  • New Hanover Regional Medical Center- WILMINGTON

For more information on additional facilities please click here.

Retiring to NC

The cost of living in NC for retirees is 3.7% lower than the national average and Social Security income is no longer taxed in North Carolina. Other taxes in NC are generally low and that makes the state a place to settle down for retirees. (taken from https://www.movingapt.com/moving-to-north-carolina/)