Carolina Shores 64 Good
Carolina Shores Livability #352 ranked city in North Carolina#13,907 ranked city in the USARanks better than 52% of areas
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Pros and Cons of Living in Carolina Shores

PROS
  • Cost Of Living Cost Of Living

    The overall cost of living in this area is much lower than average. This includes everyday goods and services, as well as housing, utilities and health care.

  • Crime Crime

    With a lower than average crime rate per 100,000 people, this area could be considered a very safe place to live. Crime rates are based on both violent and property crimes.

  • Housing Housing

    This area has received high scores in the housing category. This could be due to a positive home affordability ratio, high appreciation rates or elevated home values.

  • Ratings Ratings

    Local residents have positive things to say about the proximity of restaurants, grocery stores, parks, public transit, friendliness of neighbors, sense of community and overall safety of the area.

CONS
  • Amenities Amenities

    A majority of amenities are not ideally situated within a reasonable walking distance, which may lead residents to rely on a vehicle or public transportation.

  • Commute Commute

    Public transportation is not readily available in this area and the average commute time to work could also be longer than the national average.

  • Schools Schools

    Lower than average education levels, poor reading and math scores, as well as the inaccessibility of local elementary and high schools could all be factors in the low schools score.

What's it like Living in Carolina Shores?

Carolina Shores, North Carolina is a small-sized city with a population of 4,539 residents. According to the most recent Census, 89% of Carolina Shores residents are White, 2% Black and 1% American Indian and Alaskan. With an average age of 66 years, Carolina Shores residents appear to be older compared to the national average. For seniors and retirees, this city presents itself as a compelling choice. If you are looking for a family friendly city, Carolina Shores might be a good fit as 79% of the population over 15 years old are married, and 7% have kids who are 18 years old or younger. Long commute times to work can be incredibly frustrating, ranking just behind housework on the list of life's annoyances. If you opt to make Carolina Shores your home, your one-way commute time will typically last around 23 minutes, a duration that aligns with the national average commute time of 26 minutes.

Are you trying to decide if living in Carolina Shores is the right fit for your lifestyle? To ensure a fulfilling experience before moving 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. Finding the best places to live in Carolina Shores and nearby areas is a much easier task when you can rely on information and data from the livability score, which includes crime, cost of living, commute, health & safety, housing and other important metrics.

Using data and statistics Carolina Shores has received a livability score of 64 out of 100. This score is ranked in the 54th percentile when compared to all other cities. If we explore each of the categories on their own, we see that Carolina Shores ranks well for crime (A), cost of living (B+) and housing (A+). On a less positive note, Carolina Shores does not have favorable ranks for the following: amenities (F) and education (F). If we take a look at the data, we can find out why.

For home buyers, real estate will be the largest purchase they will ever make and it will also be their most valuable asset. For renters, the monthly rent paid on their Carolina Shores apartments will most likely be their largest expense. Based on tangible metrics like home and rental affordability and appreciation rates, housing in this area has received a score that is well above the average of every other US city. A thriving real estate market can also generate strong local economic activity and job creation.

Carolina Shores 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 Carolina Shores. The median home price for Carolina Shores homes is $379,981, which is 31.3% higher than the North Carolina average. If we take a closer look at the affordability of homes in Carolina Shores, we’ll see that the home price to income ratio is 4.4, which is 7.3% higher than the North Carolina average.

Best Places to Live in and Around Carolina Shores

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Compare Carolina Shores, NC Livability

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      Carolina Shores transportation information

      Statistic Carolina Shores North Carolina National
      Average one way commute23min24min26min
      Workers who drive to work72.5%81.1%76.4%
      Workers who carpool3.9%9.8%9.3%
      Workers who take public transit0.0%1.1%5.1%
      Workers who bicycle0.0%0.2%0.6%
      Workers who walk0.0%1.8%2.8%
      Working from home21.3%4.8%4.6%
      Source: The Carolina Shores, NC data and statistics displayed above are derived from the United States Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS) and include 2026 modeled data developed using proprietary methodologies.