Find Jobs in the Best Places to Live in North Carolina

Are you thinking about a move to North Carolina? You’re not alone. North Carolina is ranked fourth for net migration in the U.S. But what is driving so many people here and what are the best places to live in North Carolina? Here are some of the crucial factors:

• Job opportunities. North Carolina is home to the Research Triangle Park (RTP) the biggest research and innovation hub in the entire U.S. Plus, four Fortune 500 companies have their headquarters here. North Carolina is a right to work state. This means no individual can be forced to join a union or pay union fees as a requirement of being hired.
• Cheaper cost of living. The “Old North State” has the 24th lowest cost of living in the United States. That’s why it’s a favorite for many moving from more expensive areas such as New York or California.
• Top education. Some of the most prestigious higher education institutions in the country such as Duke University, North Carolina State University, and the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill are located here.
• Mild climate year-round with all four seasons. Temperatures in January average near 50 °F, while in July you’ll enjoy around 90 °F. July and August are also the wettest months contributing to making North Carolina so green.
• Access to all sorts of natural outdoor settings. In the “Tar Heel State”, you have 300 miles of beaches, lakes, rivers, and mountains. Check out, for instance, the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, the Outer Banks, Chimney Rock State Park, or Hammocks Beach State Park.

Where exactly you should move to in North Carolina is a very personal choice and it depends on many elements. To make it easier, we’ve analyzed what makes each city special and what kind of career opportunities they offer. Explore our list and find the best places to live in North Carolina that fit your needs.

Chapel Hill

Chapel Hill is a city of around 62,000 people that, together with Raleigh and Durham, is part of RTP, thus a favorite among candidates in tech, medicine, and life science. The city was specifically founded to be the location of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (UNC). Even if it outgrew it, it still feels very much like a university town, making it one of the best places to live in North Carolina for young adults. The food and entertainment scenes will satisfy everyone with all the diverse and delicious options you could hope for. Plus, those interested in outdoor activities will be happy to know that Chapel Hill features green areas over more than 11% of its territory.

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Charlotte

If you wish to settle down in one of the best affordable places to live in North Carolina and one of the fastest-growing areas in the U.S., look no further than Charlotte. The biggest metro area in North Carolina with more than 903,000 residents, this “Queen City” sits halfway between the Appalachian Mountains and the state’s sandy beaches. Thanks to a reasonably priced housing market and a vibrant nightlife culture, Charlotte is also one of the best places to live in North Carolina for young adults. The culture and art scene are diverse, plus there are restaurants and bars for every taste.

In Charlotte, you’ll find nature is all around you even in the city. The neighborhoods are adorned with majestic old trees and there are many parks to visit and unwind in the greenery. When it comes to jobs, Charlotte is the place to be if you work in banking or finance. The “Hornet's Nest” is the second largest bank hub in the country after New York. Healthcare and business operations are other sectors that attract talent in this town.

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Concord

Concord is a suburban city in Charlotte’s northeast metro area. It’s one of the best places to live in NC if you value a relaxed and peaceful environment with top-rated schools and lots of nature on your doorstep, at only 35 minutes from a proper metropolis. That’s not to say there’s nothing to do in Concord. Quite the contrary. Its downtown swarms with cafes, trattorias, bistros, and much more. There are festivals and other events all year round and various art and cultural centers to enjoy.

Concord also houses NASCAR's Charlotte Motor Speedway, the racetrack that attracts visitors from all over the country and boosts tourism employment in town. Other job industries that make Concord one of the best places to live in North Carolina are healthcare, banking logistics, transportation, retail, and education.

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Durham

Durham is a diverse and welcoming city in the Triangle area that has kept its accessibility despite its exponential growth, making it one of the best affordable places to live in North Carolina. You might have heard about Durham due to its prestigious and famous university, Duke. A lot revolves around the university here. We’re talking about the plentiful jobs in medicine, education and the entertainment provided by the Blue Devils basketball team and the Bulls baseball team.

That’s not all, though. Durham is also one of the best places to live in North Carolina for its eclectic and delicious food scene. It was even awarded the “‘Foodiest’ Small Town in America” by Bon Appetit. Job seekers looking for pharmaceutical, insurance, engineer, and IT roles will also find lots of opportunities here.

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Fayetteville

Are you a veteran or seeking jobs in the defense industry? This city is highly influenced by its proximity to Fort Bragg, one of the largest military bases in the country. Fayetteville is also only a couple of hours from the beach and the Blue Ridge Mountains.

Companies such as General Dynamics and Lockheed Martin are located here, but there are also interesting opportunities in education, healthcare, and governmental positions. If you love golf and don’t mind some of that southern humidity, pack your things today. Fayetteville has amazing golf courses for all the levels as well.

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Gastonia

Another great option if you’d like to live in a smaller city but not be far from Charlotte is Gastonia. This city is one of the best places to live in North Carolina for those that love nature and spending time outdoors. Here you can walk or hike among scenic mountains such as Crowders Mountain or the Ridgeline Trail. In the area, there’s also a nine-acre lake great for canoeing or fishing.

Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden and Schiele Museum of Natural History and Planetarium are two other lovely locations to check out here. In the city proper, you’ll find a historic downtown with everything you might need for entertainment and shopping. Regarding jobs, here you’ll be more in luck if you’re looking in manufacturing, transportation, administration, healthcare, and education roles.

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Greensboro

Greensboro is the third largest urban area in the “Tar Heel State”. It’s one of the best cities to live in North Carolina for both millennials and gen Z looking for fun and excitement, and also for families seeking a high quality of life. In fact, in Greensboro, there’s something for everyone. Museums, gardens, art galleries, antique shops, restaurants, bars, breweries and much more await you here. The “Gate City” also boasts a cheaper cost of living and many work opportunities in manufacturing, production, aerospace, and engineering.

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Raleigh

The capital of North Carolina, Raleigh is one of the best places to live in North Carolina thanks to its healthy job market. The economy is booming here. In fact, it’s the 20th fastest growing area in the U.S. More and more people are moving here to enjoy a lower cost of living, warmer weather, and irresistible job market prospects. The “City of Oaks” is also the 15th best place to start a career in the country.

Top employer industries in town include healthcare, technology, education, manufacturing, and life sciences. But any sector you choose is likely to be growing here. In fact, Raleigh is also among the best places to find remote work. But work is not all you should consider. The city is a great choice for its proximity to top universities and its family-friendly vibe. Here you’ll find are festivals, museums, and all sorts of activities for the entire family.

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Wilmington

If you’re in search of the best places to live in North Carolina near the beach, you can’t overlook Wilmington, the largest coastal city in the state. In this charming town where Victorian-era houses meet modern buildings; you’ll feel at home in no time. If the vibrant university atmosphere doesn’t capture you straight away, the ocean and its sandy beaches surely will.

The riverwalk is also a lovely place to take a stroll and stop for ice cream or in one of the many restaurants overlooking the river. Wilmington is also an excellent option for its low cost of living and unemployment rate plus many job offers. You should seriously consider this location for careers in fintech, distribution, logistics, manufacturing, and production.

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Winston-Salem

With a population of almost 259,000 people, Winston-Salem is the fifth largest metropolitan area in the “Old North State”. It’s one of the best places to live in North Carolina for families, young and mature professionals alike that cherish a small-town feel. In fact, despite growing and adding more restaurants, shops, and apartment complexes to its downtown, Winston-Salem has not lost touch with its true southern character.

Food festivals, live music, and dancing lessons are just a few of the traditions the city has retained. Here you can live at a lower than national average cost, it's safe and unemployment is low. It’s also home to two important higher education institutions: Wake Forest University and Winston-Salem State University. Education itself, healthcare, and finance are the most important sectors to look into when you start your job hunt here.

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Start Today and Find Your Ideal Job in the Best Places to Live in North Carolina

Once you have a few favorites among the best places to live in NC, it’s time to hop on Monster and create a free account to start looking for jobs. Upload your resume, tell us what roles you’d like to take on and we will send them your way as soon as they’re published. Our partner recruiters and companies will also be able to contact you directly if you have the skills they need.