Matthews 83 Exceptional
Matthews Livability #10 ranked city in North Carolina#922 ranked city in the USARanks better than 96% of areas
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Pros and Cons of Living in Matthews

PROS
  • Employment Employment

    This area scores extremely well in the employment category. This is primarily due to the combination of low unemployment rates, higher median home income and income per capita.

  • Housing Housing

    The housing category in this area boasts higher than average scores, likely influenced by a positive home affordability ratio, robust appreciation rates or elevated home values.

  • Health & Safety Health & Safety

    Earning a high health and safety score depends on factors such as good air quality and the availability of essential health facilities like hospitals, clinics, doctors, and fire stations.

  • Schools Schools

    A high score in the schools category could be the result of elements like top-notch test scores, high education levels and the convenient location of elementary and high schools in this area.

  • Ratings Ratings

    Local residents have positive feedback regarding the convenience of amenities, parks, public transit, the friendliness of neighbors, the strong sense of community, and the overall safety of the area.

CONS
  • Nothing Found Nothing Found

    This area did not exhibit any cons, as none of the categories were rated low enough.

What's it like Living in Matthews?

Matthews is a moderately-sized city located in the state of North Carolina. The city has a population of 33,739 inhabitants. If we look at the most recent Census, Matthews is known to have a predominantly White population. The next two most common races are Black and Asian. The average American spends about 26 minutes on their one way commute to work each day. Lower travel times can increase overall happiness and allow for more time to be spent with family and friends. While living in Matthews, your commute times will be about average, with a one way commute time of 28 minutes.

If you’re considering moving to any new city, it could be a very daunting task. However, it could also be a positive experience if you are willing to get to know the city before actually living in Matthews, North Carolina. When searching for a new neighborhood, several key items should be considered. Safety is of utmost importance, ensuring a secure environment with low crime. Proximity to your workplace or school helps reduce commuting time and offers convenience. Access to amenities such as parks, grocery stores, and healthcare facilities enhances your daily life. Public transportation options contribute to easy mobility. A sense of community fosters a supportive and engaging environment. Lastly, the overall atmosphere should align with your desired lifestyle, ensuring a fulfilling living experience. Considering these items will guide you towards finding the perfect neighborhood that fits all your needs. To help you find the best places to live in and around Matthews, AreaVibes has created a livability score using key metrics like amenities, cost of living, employment and more.

Matthews, NC receives 83/100 for its livability score; this results in a ranking of #9 in North Carolina and #723 in the USA. Pack your bags! This is a very high score in comparison to other US cities. Living in Matthews could be a great choice! Another exciting tidbit, is that Matthews ranks better than 90% of all US cities! There are nine total categories that generate the livability score. Matthews scores well for amenities (B-), crime (B-), education (B+), employment (A+) and housing (A+)

Feeling a sense of safety in the area that you live in is a must for most people. Low crime rates can have a positive impact on things like home prices, home appreciation rates and can help foster positive community dynamics and social cohesion. Matthews has a violent crime rate of 185 crimes per 100,000 residents which is far lower than the national average.

Unemployment rates can range pretty dramatically from one city to another. Knowing that Matthews has an unemployment rate of 2.1% could mean increased job opportunities with a higher demand for workers. It could also lead to higher wages, as the demand for workers exceeds the availability of jobs. Most importantly, it could be a sign of a healthy and thriving local economy.

Parents and families often rely on school test scores when making decisions about local public schools. Test score data serves as a crucial metric for comparing and assessing various educational institutions. In Matthews, the average school test scores reached an impressive 67%, significantly higher than the national average. This remarkable performance underscores the commitment of the educational system to equip students with the knowledge and resources necessary for success. It allows your children to receive the support and skills that are essential for thriving academically, making Matthews an excellent choice for families seeking a high-quality education.

Real estate represents the most substantial investment for homebuyers, constituting their most valuable asset. Renters, on the other hand, typically see their monthly rent as their most significant expense. The Matthews market earns a high score in the housing category, surpassing the national average in factors like home and rental affordability and appreciation rates. This robust real estate market not only benefits individual homeowners and renters but also spurs vigorous local economic activity and job growth, solidifying its significance in driving the region's prosperity and financial well-being.

Assuming that Matthews meets all of your requirements like low crime rates, good schools and great local amenities, the next most important item to examine is the affordability of real estate in Matthews. Everything else becomes a lot less important if it turns out that home prices in Matthews are simply unattainable. Median real estate prices in Matthews come in at $520,974, which is 80% higher than the North Carolina average. The home price to income ratio compares the median home prices to the median household income. In Matthews, the home price to income ratio is 3.8, which is 7.3% lower than the North Carolina average.

Best Places to Live in and Around Matthews

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Compare Matthews, NC Livability

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      Matthews transportation information

      Statistic Matthews North Carolina National
      Average one way commute28min24min26min
      Workers who drive to work78.4%81.1%76.4%
      Workers who carpool8.4%9.8%9.3%
      Workers who take public transit1.4%1.1%5.1%
      Workers who bicycle0.0%0.2%0.6%
      Workers who walk1.5%1.8%2.8%
      Working from home9.9%4.8%4.6%
      Source: The Matthews, 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.