Best places to retire in North Carolina
Written by:
April 10, 2021
realtor.com
Best places to retire in North Carolina
For many people, retirement is the reward after decades of working and raising a family. After all that anticipation, deciding where to spend that precious time can be a tough decision, so Stacker looked to data and rankings from Niche to compile a list of the best places to retire in North Carolina. Niche ranks places to retire based on a variety of factors including cost of living, health care, recreation, and weather. Listings and images are from realtor.com.
Many retirees seek out easy access to indoor and outdoor recreation, from walking trails and water access to museums and theaters. Many desirable retirement destinations also have good proximity to major cities, ripe with arts, culture, and health care resources. But those choice locations carry the key drawback of a high cost of living, often due to pricey housing costs, that will not suit retirees often on fixed incomes. Low crime rates make a difference, as well.
Keep reading to discover the best places to retire in North Carolina.
You may also like: People who retire comfortably avoid these financial advisor mistakes
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#25. Valley Hill
- Population: 1,927
- Median home value: $261,700 (68% own)
- Median rent: $907 (32% rent)
- Median household income: $66,659
- Pictured: 441 Rose Evelyn Trl, Hendersonville ($995,000, 2 bedrooms)
- Median home value: $261,700 (68% own)
- Median rent: $907 (32% rent)
- Median household income: $66,659
- Pictured: 441 Rose Evelyn Trl, Hendersonville ($995,000, 2 bedrooms)
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#24. Cedar Point
- Population: 1,874
- Median home value: $322,600 (83% own)
- Median rent: $1,219 (17% rent)
- Median household income: $78,646
- Pictured: 110 Shady Path, Cedar Point ($675,000, 4 bedrooms)
- Median home value: $322,600 (83% own)
- Median rent: $1,219 (17% rent)
- Median household income: $78,646
- Pictured: 110 Shady Path, Cedar Point ($675,000, 4 bedrooms)
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#23. Oak Island
- Population: 7,851
- Median home value: $255,900 (82% own)
- Median rent: $1,072 (18% rent)
- Median household income: $72,821
- Pictured: 3623 W Beach Dr, Oak Island ($1.7 million, 5 bedrooms)
- Median home value: $255,900 (82% own)
- Median rent: $1,072 (18% rent)
- Median household income: $72,821
- Pictured: 3623 W Beach Dr, Oak Island ($1.7 million, 5 bedrooms)
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#22. Fruitland
- Population: 2,373
- Median home value: $88,700 (77% own)
- Median rent: $591 (23% rent)
- Median household income: $39,681
- Pictured: 2856 Chimney Rock Rd, Hendersonville ($620,000, 3 bedrooms)
- Median home value: $88,700 (77% own)
- Median rent: $591 (23% rent)
- Median household income: $39,681
- Pictured: 2856 Chimney Rock Rd, Hendersonville ($620,000, 3 bedrooms)
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#21. Nags Head
- Population: 2,923
- Median home value: $327,900 (71% own)
- Median rent: $1,310 (29% rent)
- Median household income: $65,968
- Pictured: 2411 Virginia Dare Trl S, Nags Head ($3.2 million, 9 bedrooms)
- Median home value: $327,900 (71% own)
- Median rent: $1,310 (29% rent)
- Median household income: $65,968
- Pictured: 2411 Virginia Dare Trl S, Nags Head ($3.2 million, 9 bedrooms)
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#20. Laurel Park
- Population: 2,680
- Median home value: $270,800 (85% own)
- Median rent: $826 (15% rent)
- Median household income: $73,598
- Pictured: 3999 Laurel Park Hwy, Hendersonville ($1.9 million, 3 bedrooms)
- Median home value: $270,800 (85% own)
- Median rent: $826 (15% rent)
- Median household income: $73,598
- Pictured: 3999 Laurel Park Hwy, Hendersonville ($1.9 million, 3 bedrooms)
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#19. River Bend
- Population: 3,051
- Median home value: $169,200 (80% own)
- Median rent: $905 (20% rent)
- Median household income: $65,083
- Pictured: 234 Shoreline Dr, New Bern ($525,000, 4 bedrooms)
- Median home value: $169,200 (80% own)
- Median rent: $905 (20% rent)
- Median household income: $65,083
- Pictured: 234 Shoreline Dr, New Bern ($525,000, 4 bedrooms)
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#18. Seven Lakes
- Population: 4,903
- Median home value: $290,000 (93% own)
- Median rent: $1,167 (7% rent)
- Median household income: $82,969
- Pictured: 120 Rachels Pt, West End ($810,000, 4 bedrooms)
- Median home value: $290,000 (93% own)
- Median rent: $1,167 (7% rent)
- Median household income: $82,969
- Pictured: 120 Rachels Pt, West End ($810,000, 4 bedrooms)
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#17. Clemmons
- Population: 20,313
- Median home value: $226,600 (74% own)
- Median rent: $866 (26% rent)
- Median household income: $70,659
- Pictured: 7980 Valleyview Dr, Clemmons ($2.2 million, 7 bedrooms)
- Median home value: $226,600 (74% own)
- Median rent: $866 (26% rent)
- Median household income: $70,659
- Pictured: 7980 Valleyview Dr, Clemmons ($2.2 million, 7 bedrooms)
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#16. Alamance
- Population: 1,127
- Median home value: $314,700 (87% own)
- Median rent: $900 (13% rent)
- Median household income: $77,000
- Pictured: 4337 S NC 62 Hwy, Alamance ($675,000, 5 bedrooms)
- Median home value: $314,700 (87% own)
- Median rent: $900 (13% rent)
- Median household income: $77,000
- Pictured: 4337 S NC 62 Hwy, Alamance ($675,000, 5 bedrooms)
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#15. Fearrington Village
- Population: 2,867
- Median home value: $328,100 (74% own)
- Median rent: $1,008 (26% rent)
- Median household income: $71,307
- Pictured: 1 W Madison, Pittsboro ($615,000, 3 bedrooms)
- Median home value: $328,100 (74% own)
- Median rent: $1,008 (26% rent)
- Median household income: $71,307
- Pictured: 1 W Madison, Pittsboro ($615,000, 3 bedrooms)
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#14. Bermuda Run
- Population: 2,666
- Median home value: $264,300 (86% own)
- Median rent: $641 (14% rent)
- Median household income: $83,049
- Pictured: 114 Tifton St, Advance ($920,000, 5 bedrooms)
- Median home value: $264,300 (86% own)
- Median rent: $641 (14% rent)
- Median household income: $83,049
- Pictured: 114 Tifton St, Advance ($920,000, 5 bedrooms)
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#13. Tryon
- Population: 1,482
- Median home value: $198,300 (61% own)
- Median rent: $1,138 (39% rent)
- Median household income: $50,133
- Pictured: 1061 Honeyhill Ln, Tryon ($2.4 million, 4 bedrooms)
- Median home value: $198,300 (61% own)
- Median rent: $1,138 (39% rent)
- Median household income: $50,133
- Pictured: 1061 Honeyhill Ln, Tryon ($2.4 million, 4 bedrooms)
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#12. Fairfield Harbour
- Population: 2,770
- Median home value: $207,700 (86% own)
- Median rent: $1,293 (14% rent)
- Median household income: $66,716
- Pictured: 5410 Trade Winds Rd, New Bern ($500,000, 3 bedrooms)
- Median home value: $207,700 (86% own)
- Median rent: $1,293 (14% rent)
- Median household income: $66,716
- Pictured: 5410 Trade Winds Rd, New Bern ($500,000, 3 bedrooms)
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#11. Southport
- Population: 3,739
- Median home value: $252,600 (77% own)
- Median rent: $980 (23% rent)
- Median household income: $52,917
- Pictured: 2769 Pinecrest Dr SE, Southport ($1.5 million, 4 bedrooms)
- Median home value: $252,600 (77% own)
- Median rent: $980 (23% rent)
- Median household income: $52,917
- Pictured: 2769 Pinecrest Dr SE, Southport ($1.5 million, 4 bedrooms)
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#10. Flat Rock
- Population: 3,328
- Median home value: $424,600 (91% own)
- Median rent: $1,224 (9% rent)
- Median household income: $90,887
- Pictured: 105 Ingleside Ct, Flat Rock ($1.6 million, 3 bedrooms)
- Median home value: $424,600 (91% own)
- Median rent: $1,224 (9% rent)
- Median household income: $90,887
- Pictured: 105 Ingleside Ct, Flat Rock ($1.6 million, 3 bedrooms)
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#9. Sea Breeze
- Population: 1,785
- Median home value: $297,900 (78% own)
- Median rent: $642 (22% rent)
- Median household income: $71,500
- Pictured: 7319 Carolina Beach Rd, Wilmington ($7.0 million, 5 bedrooms)
- Median home value: $297,900 (78% own)
- Median rent: $642 (22% rent)
- Median household income: $71,500
- Pictured: 7319 Carolina Beach Rd, Wilmington ($7.0 million, 5 bedrooms)
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#8. Emerald Isle
- Population: 3,703
- Median home value: $378,500 (83% own)
- Median rent: $1,408 (17% rent)
- Median household income: $78,194
- Pictured: 3801 Ocean Dr, Emerald Isle ($2.5 million, 7 bedrooms)
- Median home value: $378,500 (83% own)
- Median rent: $1,408 (17% rent)
- Median household income: $78,194
- Pictured: 3801 Ocean Dr, Emerald Isle ($2.5 million, 7 bedrooms)
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#7. Sunset Beach
- Population: 3,901
- Median home value: $267,900 (86% own)
- Median rent: $1,232 (14% rent)
- Median household income: $57,265
- Pictured: 1846 E Main St, Sunset Beach ($2.6 million, 6 bedrooms)
- Median home value: $267,900 (86% own)
- Median rent: $1,232 (14% rent)
- Median household income: $57,265
- Pictured: 1846 E Main St, Sunset Beach ($2.6 million, 6 bedrooms)
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#6. Southern Shores
- Population: 2,899
- Median home value: $465,200 (92% own)
- Median rent: $1,914 (8% rent)
- Median household income: $96,553
- Pictured: 64 Ocean Blvd, Southern Shores ($3.2 million, 5 bedrooms)
- Median home value: $465,200 (92% own)
- Median rent: $1,914 (8% rent)
- Median household income: $96,553
- Pictured: 64 Ocean Blvd, Southern Shores ($3.2 million, 5 bedrooms)
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#5. Biltmore Forest
- Population: 1,473
- Median home value: $910,400 (91% own)
- Median rent: $1,083 (9% rent)
- Median household income: $180,781
- Pictured: 7 Stuyvesant Rd, Biltmore Forest ($9.8 million, 10 bedrooms)
- Median home value: $910,400 (91% own)
- Median rent: $1,083 (9% rent)
- Median household income: $180,781
- Pictured: 7 Stuyvesant Rd, Biltmore Forest ($9.8 million, 10 bedrooms)
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#4. Carolina Shores
- Population: 4,163
- Median home value: $193,100 (94% own)
- Median rent: $1,513 (6% rent)
- Median household income: $63,048
- Pictured: 16 Pinewood Dr, Carolina Shores ($380,000, 3 bedrooms)
- Median home value: $193,100 (94% own)
- Median rent: $1,513 (6% rent)
- Median household income: $63,048
- Pictured: 16 Pinewood Dr, Carolina Shores ($380,000, 3 bedrooms)
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#3. Pinehurst
- Population: 16,050
- Median home value: $293,100 (85% own)
- Median rent: $1,420 (15% rent)
- Median household income: $82,081
- Pictured: 10 Village Green Rd, Pinehurst ($3.0 million, 5 bedrooms)
- Median home value: $293,100 (85% own)
- Median rent: $1,420 (15% rent)
- Median household income: $82,081
- Pictured: 10 Village Green Rd, Pinehurst ($3.0 million, 5 bedrooms)
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#2. St. James
- Population: 5,521
- Median home value: $456,600 (95% own)
- Median rent: $1,862 (5% rent)
- Median household income: $104,850
- Pictured: 4010 Wyndmere Dr, Southport ($1.3 million, 5 bedrooms)
- Median home value: $456,600 (95% own)
- Median rent: $1,862 (5% rent)
- Median household income: $104,850
- Pictured: 4010 Wyndmere Dr, Southport ($1.3 million, 5 bedrooms)
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#1. Pine Knoll Shores
- Population: 1,343
- Median home value: $387,600 (89% own)
- Median rent: $1,214 (11% rent)
- Median household income: $75,313
- Pictured: 103 Bay St, Pine Knoll Shores ($2.2 million, 7 bedrooms)
- Median home value: $387,600 (89% own)
- Median rent: $1,214 (11% rent)
- Median household income: $75,313
- Pictured: 103 Bay St, Pine Knoll Shores ($2.2 million, 7 bedrooms)
