These Are the Best Places to Retire in North Carolina

If you've been contemplating moving for your retirement, you have lots of options, including the best places to retire in North Carolina. The state has great medical systems, incredible weather, and many different kinds of towns and cities to choose from if you decide that's where you want to spend your retirement years. Let's look at the top 10 cities in North Carolina and what they have to offer a potential retiree.

List of best cities

Best Places to Retire in North Carolina

Retirement is full of choices. Not only must you decide the right time to retire, but location also matters. After all, choose the wrong location, and you might end up in a place that really doesn't fit your lifestyle or budget.

North Carolina, however, can be a great choice both for budgetary reasons and for those who love the outdoors. Every one of its cities has opportunities for outdoor adventure, and every major city has colleges and a vibrant culture. The Research Triangle is within a reasonable drive from everywhere within North Carolina, providing opportunities for innovative medical treatments, clinical trials, and even cutting-edge consulting jobs.

Here are our top 10 picks for the best places to retire in North Carolina, in alphabetical order:

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1. Cary

Cary has more than 150,000 people and boasts a remarkably low crime rate. It's located just 11 miles from the Research Triangle and includes 20 of the best hospitals in the state within 25 miles of its downtown. The only downside to Cary is that the median home sales price in October 2023 was $567,500, according to Redfin data. Still, if you're relocating from an area with a higher cost of living to make the most of your retirement plans, choosing a smaller home in Cary may still keep you well within budget.

2. Chapel Hill

As a college town, Chapel Hill offers a small-town feel without lacking any of the amenities. With just shy of 60,000 residents, the city is a solid size without being too overwhelming. The crime rate is low, the cost of living is just barely above the national average, and it's only 13 miles from the Research Triangle, with 16 of the best hospitals in the state within 25 miles. Housing, however, can be expensive, with the average sales price in October 2023 coming in at $542,000.

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3. Charlotte

If you are looking for a bigger city in North Carolina to call home, Charlotte is a great option. It's a city of 809,000 people, but its cost of living is just barely above the national average, and the crime rate is still below both the national and state average. It has 27 of the best hospitals in the state within 25 miles (but you'll have to drive 151 miles if you need to visit the Research Triangle). Housing is below the national average, too, with the average sales price in October 2023 at $412,500.

4. Concord

If you're looking for small but not tiny and inexpensive but not unsafe, Concord may be your retirement destination. With a population of about 85,000, the town is big enough to be interesting but not so large that you get all the big-city problems. The cost of living is just below the national average, crime is very low, and the average sales price of a home in Concord in October 2023 was $377,000 – significantly below the national average. There are 15 of the best hospitals in North Carolina within 25 miles.

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5. Greenville

Greenville is another one of those not-too-small-but-not-too-big towns in the state, with a population of just under 90,000. Although the cost of living is more than the national average, the cost of buying a home is less than the national average, with the average price of a home in September 2023 coming in at $305,000. The crime rate in Greenville is below average, and there are seven of the state's best hospitals within a 25-mile drive.

6. Jacksonville

If the Atlantic coastline calls to you, Jacksonville is the place to be. The medium-sized community of about 70,000 people is not directly on the beach, but it's incredibly close to it and also boasts a low crime rate and super-attractive real estate prices. Although the cost of living is above the national average, the average home price in October 2023 was $199,500. There are only three of the best hospitals in North Carolina within 25 miles, but healthcare access is still acceptable if you don't need very specialized care close by.

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7. Kannapolis

Kannapolis is the smallest town on this list, with a population of just 45,000. If you've been longing for that small-town feel, this is it. Located about 25 miles outside of Charlotte, Kannapolis is a quiet retreat from the city's hustle and bustle. The cost of living and the crime rate are well below the national average, and the cost of real estate makes it a great place to settle in for retirement. The average home price in October 2023 in Kannapolis was just $305,000. There are 13 of the top North Carolina hospitals within 25 miles.

8. Raleigh

Although Raleigh isn't the cheapest place to live in North Carolina, you get a lively metro area full of innovation and some of the brightest medical minds in the country since it's only 16 miles from the famous Research Triangle. The city boasts a population of 439,000 and a low crime rate, but the cost of living is above average. In October 2023, the average home sales price was $415,000. You've also got 25 of the best hospitals in the state within 25 miles of the city.

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9. Wilson

Wilson is the only real town in Wilson County and boasts a population of less than 50,000. If you're looking for the quiet countryside, this could be the place for you. The cost of living is above average, but the crime rate in Wilson is low, as is the cost of real estate. In October 2023, the average home sales price was $250,000. It's just 65 miles from the Research Triangle but it only has six of the best hospitals in the state within 25 miles.

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10. Winston-Salem

A city that's small enough to still feel intimate but large enough to pack in cultural offerings like museums and historic sites, Winston-Salem is home to just under 240,000 people. The cost of living there is low compared to the national average, and the crime rate is very low. Home sales also are low -- the average home sales price in October 2023 was $260,000. It's got 11 of the best hospitals in North Carolina within a 25-mile drive. If you want a bigger town in North Carolina but don't mind being inland, this is where you'll get your best value for your retirement dollar.

Should you consider these places for retirement?

North Carolina should definitely be on your radar if you're planning on moving to make your retirement dollars stretch even further. Not only is it home to science and technology that can help make your later years more successful, but it's also inexpensive, safe, and incredibly tax-friendly to retirees. In North Carolina, all Social Security benefits are exempted from income taxes, and other forms of retirement income are taxed at a flat rate of just 4.99%