Invest better with The Motley Fool. Get stock recommendations, portfolio guidance, and more from The Motley Fool's premium services.
If you've been contemplating moving for your retirement, you have lots of options, including the best places to retire in North Carolina. The state has great medical systems, incredible weather, and many kinds of towns and cities to choose from if you decide that's where you want to spend your retirement years.
Let's look at the top 10 cities in North Carolina and what they have to offer a potential retiree.
Retirement is full of choices. Not only must you decide the right time to retire, but you must also figure out the right location. After all, you don't want to end up in a place that really doesn't fit your lifestyle or budget.
North Carolina can be a great choice for budget-conscious retirees and for those who love the outdoors. Every one of its cities has opportunities for outdoor adventure, and every major city has colleges and a vibrant culture.
The Research Triangle is a reasonable drive from anywhere in the state, providing opportunities for innovative medical treatments, clinical trials, and even cutting-edge consulting jobs.
Here are our top 10 picks for the best places to retire in North Carolina, in alphabetical order.
Cary has a population of about 180,000 and boasts a remarkably low crime rate. It's located just 11 miles from the Research Triangle and includes 20 of the best hospitals in the state within 25 miles of its downtown. The only downside to Cary is that the median home sales price in November 2025 was nearly $615,000, according to Zillow data.
Still, if you're relocating from an area with a higher cost of living to make the most of your retirement plans, choosing a smaller home in Cary may still keep you well within budget.
As a college town, Chapel Hill offers a small-town feel without sacrificing amenities. With just shy of 60,000 residents, the city is a solid size without being too overwhelming. The crime rate is low, the cost of living is just barely above the national average, and it's only 13 miles from the Research Triangle, with 16 of the best hospitals in the state within 25 miles.
However, the cost of living is slightly higher than the national average, primarily due to housing. The median sales price in October 2025 was over $630,000 -- but since late 2024, sale prices have been cooling off a bit.
If you're looking for a bigger city in North Carolina to call home, Charlotte is a great option. It has a population of about 943,000, but its cost of living is barely above the national average, and the crime rate is still below both the national and state average.
Charlotte has 27 of the best hospitals in the state within 25 miles (but you'll have to drive 151 miles if you need to visit the Research Triangle). It's also a good choice for those who want to travel during their senior years, thanks to Charlotte Douglas International Airport.
Housing prices are slightly higher than the national average, too, with the median sales price in November 2025 at $420,000.
With a population of about 115,000, the city of Concord, North Carolina, is big enough to be interesting but still has small-town vibes. The cost of living is just below the national average, and crime is very low.
The median home sales price in Concord as of November 2025 was $387,500 – significantly below the national average. Fifteen of the best hospitals in North Carolina are within 25 miles of Concord.
Greenville is another one of those not-too-small-but-not-too-big towns in the state, with a population of just over 90,000.
The cost of living is slightly lower than the national average. The median home sale price was significantly lower than the national average as of October 2025, at roughly $230,000. However, healthcare and grocery costs are higher than the national averages.
The crime rate in Greenville is low, and there are seven of the state's best hospitals within a 25-mile drive.
If the Atlantic coastline calls to you, Jacksonville is the place to be. The medium-sized community of about 70,000 people is not directly on the beach, but it's very close to it. The city also boasts a low crime rate and super-attractive real estate prices.
Although the cost of living is above the national average, the average home price in October 2025 was over $250,000. Healthcare access is a bit more limited compared to other cities on this list, with only three of the best hospitals in North Carolina within a 25-mile drive of Jacksonville.
Kannapolis is one of the smallest towns on this list, with a population of just 60,500. Located about 25 miles outside of Charlotte, Kannapolis is a quiet retreat from the city's hustle and bustle.
The cost of living and crime rate are both well below the national averages. The cost of real estate makes it a great place to retire. The median home price in Kannapolis in October 2025 was less than $315,000, which is substantially below the U.S. average.
Thirteen of the top North Carolina hospitals are within 25 miles of Kannapolis.
Although Raleigh isn't the cheapest place to live in North Carolina, you get a lively metro area full of innovation and some of the brightest medical minds in the country, since it's only 16 miles from the famous Research Triangle.
The city boasts a population of over 500,000 and a low crime rate, but the cost of living is above average. In October 2025, the average home sales price was just under $450,000. Raleigh also has 25 of the best hospitals in the state within 25 miles of the city.
Wilson is the only real town in Wilson County and boasts a population of less than 50,000. If you're looking for the quiet countryside, this could be the place for you. The cost of living is above average, but the crime rate in Wilson is low, as is the cost of real estate.
In October 2025, the average home sale price was less than $215,000. It's just 65 miles from the Research Triangle, but it only has six of the best hospitals in the state within 25 miles.
A city that's small enough to still feel intimate but large enough to pack in cultural offerings like museums and historic sites, Winston-Salem is home to just around 250,000 people. The cost of living there is low compared to the national average, and the crime rate is very low.
Home sale prices are also low -- the average home sales price in October 2025 was just under $250,000. Eleven of the best hospitals in North Carolina are within a 25-mile drive. If you want a bigger town in North Carolina but don't mind being inland, this is where you'll get your best value for your retirement dollar.
North Carolina should definitely be on your radar if you're planning on moving to make your retirement dollars stretch even further. Not only is it home to science and technology that can help make your later years more successful, but it's also inexpensive, safe, and incredibly tax-friendly to retirees.
In North Carolina, all Social Security benefits are exempted from income taxes, and other forms of retirement income are taxed at a flat rate of just 3.99% in 2026 (down from 4.25% in 2025).
