Quality of Life

Mountains, Beaches, and Cities All Within Your Reach

10.8M

Population

Affordable

Cost of Living 5% Below National Average

#3

Fastest-Growing State

A group of hikers in the mountains
Quality of Life
groups of women being social at brewery in mebane

8 Best Places to Live in North Carolina

North Carolina is one of the fastest-growing states in the country. From the sandy dunes and stunning ocean views of the Outer Banks to the majestic Blue Ridge Mountains, North Carolina's natural beauty is awe-inspiring.

Learn More
downtown raleigh skyline in the afternoon

Top 25 Best Places to Live in the US in 2023-2024

The Raleigh, Durham, and Charlotte metro areas continues to be attractive places for people to relocate, thanks to its affordability and job market. The Raleigh and Durham metro area climbs to No.3 spot in 2023 on the overall Best Places to Live list in large part due to its high quality of life.

Learn More

Why NC

Whether your business has roots in North Carolina, or you want to relocate your business here, North Carolina is primed for you to succeed.

NC At a Glance

Two farmers walking in soybean field in early summer with sunflowers beside

#1 State for Workforce

More About Workforce & Talent
#5
Most Visited State for Domestic Travel
More About Tourism
#1
State for Business
More About Business Climate
WHY NC

Discover Your Place in North Carolina

Groundbreakers, world-beaters, fast trackers, firestarters, life balancers. You’ll find them all in North Carolina. Living and working in some of the most vibrant, growing and all-around inviting places in the country. All while making the most of an extremely friendly cost of living. Here’s just a taste of what it’s like here.

family visiting biltmore

See Every Site, Enjoy Every Season

North Carolina is one of few states where you can enjoy scenic mountains, bustling city skylines, and 300 miles of beautiful beaches. Our moderate climate is characterized by mild winters, long pleasant periods of spring and fall, and warm summers.

beach pier at sunset

Spectate, Celebrate, and Recreate

Play our iconic golf courses, watch our pro sports (Carolina Panthers, Charlotte Hornets, Carolina Hurricanes, Charlotte FC and NASCAR), and take in our storied college rivalries. Or enjoy our nature by boating, kayaking, fishing, hiking, or skiing.

race at charlotte motor speedway

A Vibrant Culinary Scene

North Carolina’s emerging food scene is punctuated by James Beard -nominated chefs and award-winning breweries. Asheville is consistently rated as a top destination for food, while every region boasts renowned barbecue and down-home southern cooking.

men sitting at an upscale bar

The Low Cost of Living Well

There’s no reason to pay a premium for living well. In North Carolina, you’ll discover a cost of living that’s below the national average and high in personal satisfaction.

charlotte ballet nutcracker

Your Dollar Goes Further

North Carolina offers a low tax burden – and it’s getting lower. A flat personal income tax rate of 4.5% will be lowered to 3.99% by 2026. Many of our cities offer property tax rates lower than the national average. Your money stretches further here.

Downtown Greensboro Skyline

Contact Us

The EDPNC helps businesses large and small succeed in North Carolina. For assistance, fill out the form and a member of our team will be in touch.

Get in Touch

Bryn Covington

Bryn Covington

Business Development Associate