Raleigh, NC, known as 'The City of Oaks,' offers a unique blend of Southern charm and modern amenities. Located in central North Carolina, Raleigh is a large city that serves as the state capital and a major cultural and economic hub. Major nearby cities like Durham and Chapel Hill enhance its status as a central point in the Research Triangle region. Raleigh's blend of historic landmarks, cultural festivals, and urban amenities creates a distinctive living experience.
Raleigh is home to several iconic landmarks, including the North Carolina State Capitol, the North Carolina Museum of Art, and the historic Pullen Park. The city offers a variety of attractions, from the beautiful William B. Umstead State Park to the bustling North Hills district, known for its shopping and dining. Raleigh's dining scene is diverse, offering everything from Southern comfort food to international cuisine.
Annual events such as the North Carolina State Fair and the Hopscotch Music Festival highlight the city's vibrant cultural scene and provide unique entertainment opportunities for residents and visitors. These events celebrate Raleigh's rich cultural heritage and community spirit. Prestigious institutions like North Carolina State University and Meredith College contribute to the city's academic and cultural vibrancy, fostering a thriving intellectual community.
The arts and culture scene in Raleigh is dynamic and diverse, with numerous theaters, music venues, and art galleries. The Raleigh Symphony Orchestra and the Contemporary Art Museum are just a few of the cultural landmarks that showcase the city's commitment to the arts. Living in Raleigh provides ample opportunities to engage with art, music, and history, making it an exciting place to call home.
Raleigh’s community is welcoming and diverse, creating a friendly environment for newcomers. The city is home to professional sports teams like the Hurricanes (NHL) and the North Carolina FC (USL), providing plenty of excitement for sports fans. Major industries in Raleigh include technology, education, and healthcare, with significant employers such as Red Hat and WakeMed Health & Hospitals driving economic growth. The city has extensive public transit options, including buses and a developing commuter rail system, making commuting convenient for residents.
Amenities
A wealth of amenities, such as restaurants, coffee shops, grocery stores, parks and fitness facilities, are all conveniently located within walking distance.
Commute
An elevated score in the commute category points to excellent public transit accessibility and shorter-than-average work commute times in this area.
Employment
Higher than average median household income, income per capita and lower unemployment rates are seen in this area. The result is a high score in the employment category.
Housing
High scores in the housing category are a distinguishing feature of this area, possibly driven by a favorable home affordability ratio, higher home values and appreciation rates.
Health & Safety
Good air quality as well as nearby health facilities like hospitals, clinics, nursing homes, fire and police stations all contribute to a higher than average health and safety score.
Crime
This area reports elevated crime rates per 100,000 individuals, potentially pointing some areas being unsafe for its residents. Stats are based on both property and violent crimes.
Raleigh, North Carolina is a highly populated city with a population of 469,698 people. In Raleigh, there are 3,193 people per square mile, which is well above the national population density average. Raleigh is mostly populated by White (57%) and Black or African American (29%) ethnic groups. Single men and women might be happy to hear that in Raleigh, only 44% of the population is married. On a daily basis, the typical American spends approximately 26 minutes on their one-way work commute. Reduced travel times not only contributes to increased overall happiness, but also affords more opportunities to cherish moments with family and friends. If you're living in Raleigh, your commute time will align closely with the national average, spanning a one-way duration of approximately 24 minutes.
Are you trying to decide if living in Raleigh is the right fit for your lifestyle? To ensure a fulfilling experience before relocating to any new city in North Carolina, you will probably want to make sure that you check all of the most important boxes. Several key factors deserve attention. For one, safety is paramount, ensuring that your new area is low in crime is key. Proximity to workplaces or schools minimizes commute times and fosters convenience. Access to essential amenities like parks, grocery stores, food, fitness, shops and healthcare facilities enhances daily life. Efficient public transportation options provide mobility and connectivity. The sense of community creates a welcoming and supportive environment. Lastly, the overall atmosphere, encompassing the vibe, aesthetics, and lifestyle offerings, contributes to a fulfilling living experience. Considering these elements helps identify the ideal neighborhood for your needs and preferences. With useful information like amenities, crime, cost of living, employment and other key data points, finding the best places to live in Raleigh and in the areas around Raleigh is a much easier task.
Raleigh, NC receives 84/100 for its livability score; this results in a ranking of #6 in North Carolina and #466 in the USA. Clearly, Raleigh is doing something right, as this score ranks well above the average of most cities. This city is also ranked in the top 10 percentile of all cities across the USA. For each of the livability categories, we see that Raleigh ranks very well for cost of living (B+), education (B), employment (B) and housing (A+). There is at least one category that did not score well in Raleigh. The following was graded with a disappointing score: crime (D).
If you're living in Raleigh, you can expect to enjoy a multitude of local amenities, mostly thanks to the strategic placement of essential services such as grocery stores, restaurants, coffee shops, parks and various shops. If you're contemplating a move to this locale with the intent of establishing it as your permanent residence, you'll be pleased to find an extensive array of amenities and recreational opportunities within easy reach, either on foot or via a brief commute. This wealth of accessible amenities not only enhances the livability of the area but also ensures that you can enjoy a rich and fulfilling lifestyle, making Raleigh an attractive destination for those seeking a vibrant and well-served community to call home. Here are some of the more popular things to do in Raleigh: North Carolina Museum of Art, Museum of Natural Sciences, and Pullen Park.
A healthy real estate market serves as a key economic indicator. It could signify overall local economic strength, stability and reflects consumer confidence in the area. Based on multiple factors including: median home and rental prices, appreciation rates and home affordability, Raleigh has received high marks in the housing category. Based on these calculations, the apartment rental and real estate market appears to be very healthy.
Raleigh real estate prices and overall affordability will play a huge role in determining if the area is the right fit for you. Of course there are probably some other items on your “wish list”, but even before they are considered, let’s take a look at the home prices and affordability in Raleigh. The median home price for Raleigh homes is $266,900, which is 69.9% higher than the North Carolina average. If we take a closer look at the affordability of homes in Raleigh, we’ll see that the home price to income ratio is 3.8, which is 15.2% higher than the North Carolina average.
| Statistic | Raleigh | North Carolina | National |
| Average one way commute | 24min | 24min | 26min |
| Workers who drive to work | 75.3% | 81.1% | 76.4% |
| Workers who carpool | 7.4% | 9.8% | 9.3% |
| Workers who take public transit | 2.0% | 1.1% | 5.1% |
| Workers who bicycle | 0.3% | 0.2% | 0.6% |
| Workers who walk | 1.6% | 1.8% | 2.8% |
| Working from home | 12.1% | 4.8% | 4.6% |
Here are the best places to live in North Carolina
Safest Cities In The US
Safest States In The US
These are the 10 cheapest cities in North Carolina