We love a friendly rivalry between cities. And we love to see who comes out on top in those rivalries when publications put together different lists. This time it’s the Best Places To Live. And this list comes from a reputable source- US News and World Report. As North Carolina residents we know there are plenty of fantastic places to call home in North Carolina. Whether it’s the beaches the Piedmont, or the mountains. There is something for everyone. Each year US News ranks the best places to live in the US, and this year not one but two North Carolina cities made the top 10. Yes, the top 10 for the entire country. That’s big! And yes, it comes down to the two cities you’d expect Charlotte and Raleigh/Durham.
I know people have strong feelings about both, but I’ve called the two cities home though Charlotte for much more of my life, and love them both. I’ll give you a hint one city ranked number 3 and the other came in at number 8 on this list. You can read all the information on the methodology US News uses in ranking cities here. Below you’ll find the top 7 places to live in North Carolina. Why seven? It’s the cities that are among the nation’s 150 most populous. You’ll also see where they stack up overall against the rest of the United States. And below that, you’ll find the top places to live in the US.
You can read the full list from US News & World Report here.
7. Fayetteville
#135 Best Places To Live
Overall Score: 5.7
Quality of Life: 6.0
Value: 6.8
6. Greensboro
#72 Best Places To Live
Overall Score: 5.7
Quality of Life: 6.5
Value: 7.5
5. Winston-Salem
#41 Best Places To Live
Overall Score: 6.4
Quality of Life: 6.7
Value: 7.7
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4. Asheville
#29 Overall Best Places To Live
Overall Score: 6.5
Quality of Life: 6.8
Value: 7.0
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3. Hickory
#25 Overall Best Places To Live
Overall Score: 6.5
Quality of Life: 6.4
Value: 8.6
Jeff Yount
2. Charlotte
#8 Overall Best Places To Live
Overall Score: 6.7
Quality of Life: 6.4
Value: 7.0
Sean Pavone
1. Raleigh & Durham
#3 Best Places To Live Overall
Overall Score: 6.9
Quality of Life: 6.4
Value: 7.0
Sean Pavone
10. Fayetteville, AK
Overall Score: 6.7
Quality of Life: 6.9
Value: 7.8
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9. Colorado Springs
Overall Score: 6.7
Quality of Life: 6.5
Value: 5.8
Jacob Boomsma
8. Charlotte, NC
Overall Score: 6.7
Quality of Life: 6.4
Value: 7.0
Sean Pavone
7. Portland, ME
Overall Score: 6.7
Quality of Life: 7.4
Value: 6.2
Sean Pavone
6. Naples, FL
Overall Score: 6.8
Quality of Life: 7.1
Value: 6.2
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5. Sarasota, FL
Overall Score: 6.8
Quality of Life: 7.0
Value: 6.1
KarolinaBorkowski
4. Boulder, CO
Overall Score: 6.8
Quality of Life: 7.7
Value: 5.3
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3. Raleigh & Durham, NC
Overall Score: 6.9
Quality of Life: 6.4
Value: 7.0
Sean Pavone
2. Huntsville, AL
Overall Score: 6.9
Quality of Life: 7.0
Value: 8.2
Sean Pavone
1. Green Bay, WI
Overall Score: 6.9
Quality of Life: 7.3
Value: 8.0
Jacob Boomsma
