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Here is a table from a retirement-related web site, but it also applies to other families seeking a small town to live in. I think people need to apply some criteria other than just cost of living to make a decision. For example I would not recommend Roanoke Rapids, Henderson, Hamlet or Clinton for various crime or environmental factors. OTOH, I like the sound of Lexington and Mount Airy. The list is just a place to start. Please note that the first part of the list contains negative percentages, meaning that the COL is less than the state average. Towns at the end of the list like Davidson have a much higher percentage that the state average COL.
That's somewhat deceptive, as I would not consider Morrisville, for example, a "small town". It's right in the middle of the Triangle area and its lifestyle is more like Raleigh or Cary than a "small town", even if Morrisville's population qualifies.
Horrible list to me. I would consider only the top 20. Here are some of my favorite small towns to visit in NC, many of which were not listed.....
This has limits, like all such lists. The compilers selected towns with populations between 6,000 and 20,000 without regard to whether they were suburbs of larger areas or stand-alone towns.
Since we have had a bunch of people requesting "the best small towns" for whatever, I though they should have some place to start.
I think the list can be very informational. Especially on the HIGH end. People throw out places like Weddington, Pinehurst, and Kill Devil Hills as possible places to retire...well look at the cost of living at those places.
I have always been a proponent of the Washington area. And while you have to take into account the crime index, amenities, health care, etc...consider that you also have to consider the positive aspects that may not be shown. For example, Washington has a large Historic District, is on the waterfront, and has suburbs like Washington Park, Cypress Landing, and other waterfront properties that are not part of the data for the City. It's actually a much nicer place than the numbers in City Data would give it credit for.
Finally, what lines are being drawn for places like Myrtle Grove and Ogden that are unincorporated. Technically these don't have defined boundaries, and you have to wonder if they considered more of the higher end parts of those areas and not the lower end. I don't think they should be using unincorporated areas with no defined boundaries and trying to define them.
way cheaper taxes easy laid back living,gorgeous homes,newly-procured,bought by my parents in N.C.
Rocky Mt. years ago since 05. amazing,how much cheaper NC is,so beautiful where they are in Rocky Mt.
I owe multiples NJ homes such a huge difference.
They are happier down there,way cheap,beautiful ranch with lots of land add'l.
Aunt in Edenton i think it is called
Another uncle/aunt retire in Plymouth..
All are so happy down there.
I SURE WILL BE LOOKING DOWN THERE TO RETIRE
( but born in seventies,so i have time still)
a very long time still prior to retiring at mid sixties to seventy.
Or i would go sooner if i was able way cheaper. i love NC
LOL. You don't want to retire in Marion either. Some of those at the top are there for a reason.
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