North Carolina is an attractive state for retirees. Low taxes let your savings go further. Undiscovered beaches let you enjoy a coastal retirement without a massive Florida or California price tag. Plus, vibrant cities give you an exciting place to spend your time.
NewHomeSource found the top five cities to retire in North Carolina. Finding the perfect place for this amazing chapter in your life means investing in your quality of life and your future.
Top 10 Cities to Retire in North Carolina
1. Eden
Percentage of the Population Over 65: 20.8%
Median Home Value: $83,800
Most Recent Annual Number of Violent Crimes: 2
Most Recent Annual Number of Property Crimes: 530
Number of Hospitals Within One Mile of the City: 1
Eden, North Carolina is a charming small town outside Greensboro. If you’re looking to enjoy peace and quiet during your retirement, Eden will be the perfect paradise for you! Retirees love Eden’s low cost of living, affordable median home prices and its low crime rate.
2. Spring Lake
Percentage of the Population Over 65: 5.4%
Median Home Value: $96,000
Most Recent Annual Number of Violent Crimes: 51
Most Recent Annual Number of Property Crimes: 288
Number of Hospitals Within One Mile of the City: 2
Spring Lake is a delightful town on the outskirts of Fayetteville and Fort Bragg. This delightful community lets retirees looking to live a life they love on a fixed income make the most of their newfound freedom, without blowing out their budget. Start your search for the perfect retirement home in Spring Lake today!
3. Reidsville
Percentage of the Population Over 65: 20.5%
Median Home Value: $100,000
Most Recent Annual Number of Violent Crimes: 111
Most Recent Annual Number of Property Crimes: 693
Number of Hospitals Within One Mile of the City: 1
Active adults love life in Reidsville, NC! This historic town on the bank of the Haw River has miles of walking trails winding through beautiful scenery, perfect for retirees that want to maintain a high level of activity during their golden years. Lake Reidsville and the Haw River State Park let you enjoy riparian entertainment and Mother Nature at her finest.
4. Laurinburg
Percentage of the Population Over 65: 18%
Median Home Value: $102,400
Most Recent Annual Number of Violent Crimes: 46
Most Recent Annual Number of Property Crimes: 285
Number of Hospitals Within One Mile of the City: 2
Laurinburg, North Carolina, truly has something for every type of retiree, and a low cost of living to boot! Laurinburg’s charming history and architecture will appeal to art and history buffs that want to connect with their community. Retirees looking for high octane fun can head over to the ATV park. No matter how you spend your retirement, you’ll love life in Laurinburg.
5. Kinston
Percentage of the Population Over 65: 22%
Median Home Value: $102,700
Most Recent Annual Number of Violent Crimes: 244
Most Recent Annual Number of Property Crimes: 1,305
Number of Hospitals Within One Mile of the City: 1
Retirees looking for a laid back retirement will love life in Kinston, NC. This beautiful riverside community gives active adults the chance to kick back and relax in an unbelievably affordable city. If you’re ready to live life on your terms, start your search for your new home in Kinston today.
6. Lexington
Percentage of the Population Over 65: 16.6%
Median Home Value: $106,000
Most Recent Annual Number of Violent Crimes: 130
Most Recent Annual Number of Property Crimes: 489
Number of Hospitals Within One Mile of the City: 8
If you like the idea of living in a historic and peaceful community, while still having easy access to metropolitan hubs, you will love life in Lexington, NC. This charming suburb of Greensboro offers retirees a comfortable community and a low cost of living, without forcing them to sacrifice their lifestyle.
7. Newton
Percentage of the Population Over 65: 1.3%
Median Home Value: $107,700
Most Recent Annual Number of Violent Crimes: 72
Most Recent Annual Number of Property Crimes: 453
Number of Hospitals Within One Mile of the City: 3
Newton is a beautiful suburb of Charlotte, that gives active adults the chance to relax, recharge, and reconnect with nature during their golden years. If you’re looking to invest in a comfortable life that still provides you with easy access to urban areas, you’ll love Newton.
8. Lenoir
Percentage of the Population Over 65: 20.6%
Median Home Value: $109,400
Most Recent Annual Number of Violent Crimes: 56
Most Recent Annual Number of Property Crimes: 845
Number of Hospitals Within One Mile of the City: 3
Not everyone wants to battle alligators during their retirement. Lenoir is a great community in the heart of North Carolina’s beautiful forests, that is perfect for retirees looking for peace and privacy. Embrace stunning scenery and an unbeatable lifestyle in Lenoir.
9. Rocky Mount
Percentage of the Population Over 65: 16.6%
Median Home Value: $109,500
Most Recent Annual Number of Violent Crimes: 447
Most Recent Annual Number of Property Crimes: 1,577
Number of Hospitals Within One Mile of the City: 3
Rocky Mount is an exciting North Carolina town. This funky community has something for everyone, ranging from nature lovers, to folks who want to live in museums. No matter how you want to spend your retirement, you can live comfortably on a fixed income and enjoy the activities you love when you make your home in Rocky Mount.
10. Lumberton
Percentage of the Population Over 65: 15.2%
Median Home Value: $111,500
Most Recent Annual Number of Violent Crimes: 77
Most Recent Annual Number of Property Crimes: 434
Number of Hospitals Within One Mile of the City: 1
Lumberton is a beautiful community, nestled in the heart of North Carolina’s beautiful natural setting. Retirees looking to stay active and reconnect with nature during their golden years can live a life they love in Lumberton. Rounding out this wonderful neighborhood is a safe environment and a low cost of living.
Here is the complete list…
| City Name | People Over 65 | Violent Crimes | Property Crimes | Access to Doctors | Median Home Price |
| Eden | 20.8% | 2 | 530 | 1 | $83,800 |
| Spring Lake | 5.4% | 51 | 288 | 2 | $96,000 |
| Reidsville | 20.5% | 111 | 693 | 1 | $100,000 |
| Laurinurg | 18% | 46 | 285 | 2 | $102,400 |
| Kinston | 22% | 244 | 1,305 | 1 | $102,700 |
| Lexington | 16.6% | 130 | 489 | 8 | $106,000 |
| Newton | 18.3% | 72 | 453 | 3 | $107,700 |
| Lenoir | 20.6% | 56 | 845 | 3 | $109,400 |
| Rocky Mount | 16.6% | 447 | 1,577 | 3 | $109,500 |
| Lumberton | 15.2% | 77 | 434 | 1 | $111,500 |
| Roanoke Rapids | 17.2% | 21 | 156 | 2 | $112,900 |
| Tarboro | 23.9% | 20 | 160 | 2 | $113,800 |
| Asheboro | 16.7% | 126 | 1,168 | 2 | $115,200 |
| Shelby | 18.9% | 55 | 434 | 3 | $116,100 |
| Thomasville | 16.5% | 89 | 1,009 | 7 | $117,100 |
| Kings Mountain | 17.1% | 41 | 400 | 5 | 118,100 |
| Sailsbury | 17.5% | 251 | 1,579 | 4 | $124,300 |
| Burlington | 17.9% | 442 | 1,877 | 2 | $126,300 |
| Elizabeth City | 15.10 | 101 | 939 | 1 | $127,200 |
| Hope Mills | 8.8% | 113 | 683 | 2 | $128,600 |
| Graham | 15.9% | 18 | 108 | 1 | $129,400 |
| Goldsboro | 16.3% | 214 | 985 | 1 | $129,100 |
| Lincolnton | 17.7% | 31 | 272 | 6 | $133,100 |
| Fayetteville | 11.4% | 1,179 | 6,918 | 1 | $129,700 |
| Archdale | 16.3% | 29 | 235 | 5 | $136,700 |
| Mount Airy | 26.3% | 14 | 139 | 1 | $136,800 |
| Sanford | 11.3% | 64 | 782 | 1 | $136,800 |
| Havelock | 4.7% | 28 | 530 | 2 | $137,000 |
| Kannapolis | 13.4% | 117 | 968 | 6 | $137,100 |
| Wake Forest | 10.5% | 53 | 660 | 3 | $139,000 |
| Wilson | 18.3% | 264 | 1,719 | 2 | 139,000 |
| Smithfield | 22% | 53 | 454 | 1 | $140,700 |
| Gastonia | 15.6% | 566 | 3,839 | 4 | $144,00 |
| Statesville | 14.8% | 108 | 703 | 4 | $146,200 |
| Morganton | 21.4% | 73 | 403 | 4 | $147,100 |
| Winston-Salem | 13.9% | 1,443 | 8,097 | 5 | $144,400 |
| High Point | 13.9% | 695 | 3,681 | 8 | $147,500 |
| Monroe | 12.9% | 95 | 816 | 4 | $152,200 |
| Jacksonville | 6% | 229 | 1,763 | 1 | $152,300 |
| New Bern | 19.% | 118 | 940 | 1 | $154,300 |
| Greenille | 10% | 473 | 2,835 | 2 | $155,100 |
| Greensboro | 13.5% | 1,890 | 9,922 | 3 | $152,900 |
| Mount Holly | 13% | 26 | 302 | 9 | $163,900 |
| Hickory | 16.8% | 170 | 1,883 | 5 | $167,900 |
| Kernersville | 17.7% | 72 | 970 | 6 | $172,000 |
| Clayton | 9.7% | 29 | 417 | 4 | $174,900 |
| Hendersonville | 33% | 34 | 296 | 3 | $175,000 |
| Henderson | 16.9% | 280 | 804 | 3 | $175,000 |
| Garner | 14.3% | 104 | 678 | 4 | $175,400 |
| Knightdale | 9.3% | 67 | 442 | 4 | $183,000 |
NewHomeSource pulled data from the FBI Uniform Crime Reporting Services, Medicare’s Hospital Compare 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 city.
Access to Doctors is calculated by finding the number of hospitals, discounting children’s hospitals and VA hospitals within one mile of the city.
Other North Carolina Resources
After graduating in 2016 from The University of Texas with a degree in English, Sanda Brown became a content writer for the BDX with a focus on website copy and content marketing.
At the BDX, Sanda helps write and edit articles on NewHomeSource.com, writes website copy for builders, and manages a team of freelancers that work on additional content needs.
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