Raleigh 84 Exceptional
Raleigh Livability #6 ranked city in North Carolina#505 ranked city in the USARanks better than 98% of areas

Pros and Cons of Living in Raleigh

PROS
  • 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.

CONS
  • 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.

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What's it like Living in Raleigh?

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.

Best Places to Live in and Around Raleigh

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How Do You Rate The Livability In Raleigh?

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Compare Raleigh, NC Livability

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      Raleigh transportation information

      Statistic Raleigh North Carolina National
      Average one way commute24min24min26min
      Workers who drive to work75.3%81.1%76.4%
      Workers who carpool7.4%9.8%9.3%
      Workers who take public transit2.0%1.1%5.1%
      Workers who bicycle0.3%0.2%0.6%
      Workers who walk1.6%1.8%2.8%
      Working from home12.1%4.8%4.6%
      Source: The Raleigh, NC data and statistics displayed above are derived from the United States Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS).