Best counties to retire to in North Carolina
Best counties to retire to in North Carolina
Buyers and sellers of real estate alike—when asked what are the three most essential considerations about a property—will nearly always reply "location, location, location." While this answer is sometimes tongue-in-cheek, it is often quite accurate, and this reply perhaps applies to retirees more than any other demographic. Settling down after a lifetime of working and perhaps raising a family calls for the perfect location: a spot where you can enjoy life with as few concerns as possible.
When seniors aged 65 years or older decide on where they want to live out their golden years, they consider very specific factors, such as the cost of living, government services, health care facilities, weather and overall climate, crime rate, outdoor recreational activities, eating establishments, cultural and entertainment opportunities, and more.
Stacker compiled a list of the best counties to retire in North Carolina using data from Niche. Niche ranks counties based on a variety of factors including cost of living, healthcare, recreation and weather.
Location is critical as retirees determine where to spend their senior years enjoying favorite activities; however, it’s a very unique decision based on a multitude of preferences and needs. Whether it be bustling downtowns or access to parks, affordable home prices or cultural amenities like museums, retirees seeking to settle in a permanent spot are sure to find a private paradise in any of these counties recommended by Niche because, in the end, there is no place like home—no matter the location.
Read on to discover the best counties to retire to in North Carolina.
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#25. Ashe County
- Median home value: $152,500 (75% own)
- Median rent: $596 (25% rent)
- Median household income: $40,978
#24. Burke County
- Median home value: $116,400 (72% own)
- Median rent: $642 (28% rent)
- Median household income: $42,516
#23. Catawba County
- Median home value: $141,900 (69% own)
- Median rent: $724 (31% rent)
- Median household income: $51,157
#22. Surry County
- Median home value: $121,000 (72% own)
- Median rent: $620 (28% rent)
- Median household income: $41,068
#21. Dare County
- Median home value: $287,600 (71% own)
- Median rent: $1,086 (29% rent)
- Median household income: $58,012
#20. Buncombe County
- Median home value: $222,300 (64% own)
- Median rent: $933 (36% rent)
- Median household income: $50,668
#19. Rutherford County
- Median home value: $114,800 (71% own)
- Median rent: $639 (29% rent)
- Median household income: $40,347
#18. Alleghany County
- Median home value: $126,000 (75% own)
- Median rent: $645 (25% rent)
- Median household income: $37,558
#17. Yancey County
- Median home value: $149,800 (74% own)
- Median rent: $620 (26% rent)
- Median household income: $39,888
#16. Chowan County
- Median home value: $124,700 (69% own)
- Median rent: $751 (31% rent)
- Median household income: $42,621
#15. Clay County
- Median home value: $165,900 (76% own)
- Median rent: $714 (24% rent)
- Median household income: $38,801
#14. Craven County
- Median home value: $158,300 (62% own)
- Median rent: $878 (38% rent)
- Median household income: $50,870
#13. Beaufort County
- Median home value: $128,300 (70% own)
- Median rent: $713 (30% rent)
- Median household income: $43,688
#12. Haywood County
- Median home value: $175,600 (72% own)
- Median rent: $748 (28% rent)
- Median household income: $49,800
#11. Cherokee County
- Median home value: $152,200 (80% own)
- Median rent: $718 (20% rent)
- Median household income: $40,294
#10. New Hanover County
- Median home value: $233,700 (57% own)
- Median rent: $978 (43% rent)
- Median household income: $52,716
#9. Chatham County
- Median home value: $265,900 (76% own)
- Median rent: $833 (24% rent)
- Median household income: $63,531
#8. Transylvania County
- Median home value: $211,300 (77% own)
- Median rent: $720 (23% rent)
- Median household income: $46,629
#7. Pamlico County
- Median home value: $154,500 (75% own)
- Median rent: $706 (25% rent)
- Median household income: $44,947
#6. Macon County
- Median home value: $165,800 (73% own)
- Median rent: $747 (27% rent)
- Median household income: $43,597
#5. Polk County
- Median home value: $212,300 (73% own)
- Median rent: $828 (27% rent)
- Median household income: $48,834
#4. Henderson County
- Median home value: $203,400 (72% own)
- Median rent: $823 (28% rent)
- Median household income: $52,815
#3. Moore County
- Median home value: $210,200 (75% own)
- Median rent: $855 (25% rent)
- Median household income: $57,899
#2. Carteret County
- Median home value: $207,900 (72% own)
- Median rent: $896 (28% rent)
- Median household income: $54,428
#1. Brunswick County
- Median home value: $199,900 (79% own)
- Median rent: $903 (21% rent)
- Median household income: $54,406
