The Best Suburbs of Raleigh, North Carolina - NewHomeSource (2024)

Raleigh is an excellent blend of Southern charm and modern development. Drawing in IT companies and talent, Raleigh has been growing rapidly as part of the region’s Research Triangle, but it still retains its easygoing, friendly style, as well as its affordability. For those wanting to relocate to an area near Raleigh without committing to the big city life, we’ve compiled a list of the 10 best suburbs.

10. Pittsboro

• Population:4,287
• Median Home Value:$284,858
• Mean Travel Time to Work:25.9 minutes
• School Ranking:A-
• Most Recent Annual Number of Property Crimes:114
• Most Recent Annual Number of Violent Crimes:15

Don’t underestimate Pittsboro’s small size; this suburb is proof that great things can come in small packages. With only a little over 4,000 residents calling Pittsboro home, there’s plenty of small-town charm to be found. There’s also plenty to do, from visiting the Small Museum of Folk Art to enjoying a glass of wine at the Starrlight Mead winery.Your new homeis waiting for you in Pittsboro!

9. Hillsborough

• Population:7,239
• Median Home Value:$242,100
• Mean Travel Time to Work:25.1 minutes
• School Ranking:A
• Most Recent Annual Number of Property Crimes:318
• Most Recent Annual Number of Violent Crimes:31

Hillsborough is another small suburb, located northwest of Raleigh. This town has a wealth of art galleries, annual festivals and mountain views. History fans will love the architecture throughout the town, with several houses and historic sites from the 18th and 19th centuries available for touring. Two homebuilders are developing new homes in Hillsborough, socheck out what they have to offer!

8. Wake Forest

• Population:44,046
• Median Home Value:$285,000
• Mean Travel Time to Work:29.2 minutes
• School Ranking:A
• Most Recent Annual Number of Property Crimes:660
• Most Recent Annual Number of Violent Crimes:53

As its name implies, Wake Forest is full of greenery and nature. Several hiking trails will take you through the woods, with even more natural beauty waiting just beyond the borders. Wake Forest also has a thriving downtown known as “The Renaissance Area” for its boutiques and art galleries. Check out thehomes available in Wake Forest!

7. Zebulon

• Population:5,646
• Median Home Value:$125,900
• Mean Travel Time to Work:27.7 minutes
• School Ranking:A
• Most Recent Annual Number of Property Crimes:99
• Most Recent Annual Number of Violent Crimes:18

Located approximately 24 miles east of Raleigh, Zebulon is a small town with a big heart. It has a growing downtown scene, as well as six community parks and a championship disc golf course. Known as “The Town of Friendly People”, Zebulon is always welcoming of new folks. Withsix homebuilders building across seven communities, your new home is just around the corner.

6. Holly Springs

• Population:36,749
• Median Home Value:$283,700
• Mean Travel Time to Work:27.6 minutes
• School Ranking:A
• Most Recent Annual Number of Property Crimes:272
• Most Recent Annual Number of Violent Crimes:21

Holly Springs is one of the fastest-growing Raleigh suburbs, and it’s easy to see why. Only 19 miles southwest of Raleigh, Holly Springs has low property and violent crime rates. It also has plenty of parks, shopping centers and dining options to explore and enjoy. With several town expansion initiatives in the works, now is a great time to check out the housing market. Look for yournew home in Holly Springs!

5. Apex

• Population:53,852
• Median Home Value:$307,800
• Mean Travel Time to Work:24.2 minutes
• School Ranking:A
• Most Recent Annual Number of Property Crimes:672
• Most Recent Annual Number of Violent Crimes:54

Apex is a thriving city with many community festivals and parks, as well as a cultural arts center. A former railroad town, Apex has established its downtown area as a historic district. True to its heritage, the city still has a train depot that dates to the late 1800s. Take a look at thehomes available in Apex.

4. Cary

• Population:168,160
• Median Home Value:$337,700
• Mean Travel Time to Work:22.8 minutes
• School Ranking:A
• Most Recent Annual Number of Property Crimes:1,692
• Most Recent Annual Number of Violent Crimes:113

With over 168,000 residents, Cary is the largest suburb on our list. There’s a lot to love here, from the natural beauty of the Hemlock Bluffs Nature Preserve to the city’s wide variety of arts and cultural events and centers. With a notably low violent crime rate, residents can have peace of mind while strolling the lakeside park of Fred G. Bond Metro Park or catching a show at the local amphitheater. Findyour dream homein Cary today!

3. Carrboro

• Population:21,314
• Median Home Value:$350,800
• Mean Travel Time to Work:23.6 minutes
• School Ranking:A+
• Most Recent Annual Number of Property Crimes:429
• Most Recent Annual Number of Violent Crimes:32

Carrboro is located approximately 31 miles northwest of Raleigh and directly west of Chapel Hill. Residents love the variety of activities, including the farmer’s market, 2nd Friday Art Walk, and the Cat’s Cradle music venue. For outdoor fun, check out Bolin Creek and the Carolina North Forest, which offer ample hiking and picnicking opportunities. Thecommunities of Carrboroare waiting for you!

2. Morrisville

• Population:27,453
• Median Home Value:$317,700
• Mean Travel Time to Work:21.9 minutes
• School Ranking:A+
• Most Recent Annual Number of Property Crimes:337
• Most Recent Annual Number of Violent Crimes:32

Morrisville is well known for its cultural diversity, seen in its population, restaurants and festivals. Lake Crabtree County Park offers boat rentals, playground facilities and more along the shore of the 520-acre lake. With one of the shortest commute times and an excellent education system, Morrisville is a great place for families to call home. Don’t miss your chance tocall Morrisville your new home!

1. Chapel Hill

• Population:64,051
• Median Home Value:$409,200
• Mean Travel Time to Work:19.6 minutes
• School Ranking:A+
• Most Recent Annual Number of Property Crimes:853
• Most Recent Annual Number of Violent Crimes:107

At the top of our list is Chapel Hill, a suburb located approximately 30 miles northwest of Raleigh. Sports fanatics may know this city as the home of the University of North Carolina Tar Heels basketball program, but Chapel Hill is also famous for its wonderful points of interest. Days can be spent at the Ackland Art Museum, Morehead Planetarium and Science Center, and North Carolina Botanical Garden. As far as entertainment, Franklin Street is packed with restaurants, stores and bars. With21 builders developing the area, the sky’s the limit in Chapel Hill — find your new home today!

Additional Suburbs

Raleigh’s for You!

With so many fun activities, job opportunities and beautiful natural sights, it’s no wonder so many are choosing torelocate to Raleigh. The cities and towns surrounding Raleigh are also rich in culture and community, and they all make a great choice of home for those wanting to live nearby. Find your new home today!

NewHomeSource pulled data from the FBI Uniform Crime Reporting Services and the U.S. Census Bureau. In the event exact crime data was unavailable, estimates were used. These factors were entered into an algorithm to calculate a score for each suburb.