Best places to live in the Raleigh metro area

compiled a list of the best places to live in the Raleigh metro area using data from the . Niche uses 15 weighted factors for its rankings. A majority of the score is based on cost of living, higher education rate, housing, public schools, diversity, and crime. You can read more about Niche's methodology .

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1 / 25

#25. Wilson's Mills

- Niche grade: B
- Public school grade: B
- Population: 2,652

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2 / 25

#24. Youngsville

- Niche grade: B
- Public school grade: B+
- Population: 2,581

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3 / 25

#23. Benson

- Niche grade: B
- Public school grade: B
- Population: 4,144

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4 / 25

#22. Four Oaks

- Niche grade: B
- Public school grade: B
- Population: 2,372

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5 / 25

#21. Zebulon

- Niche grade: B+
- Public school grade: A
- Population: 7,961

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6 / 25

#20. Creedmoor

- Niche grade: B+
- Public school grade: B-
- Population: 4,957

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7 / 25

#19. Archer Lodge

- Niche grade: B+
- Public school grade: A-
- Population: 5,036

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8 / 25

#18. Pine Level

- Niche grade: B+
- Public school grade: B+
- Population: 2,072

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9 / 25

#17. Clayton

- Niche grade: A-
- Public school grade: A-
- Population: 28,043

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10 / 25

#16. Knightdale

- Niche grade: A
- Public school grade: B
- Population: 19,532

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11 / 25

#15. Wendell

- Niche grade: A
- Public school grade: A-
- Population: 11,585

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12 / 25

#14. Fearrington Village

- Niche grade: A
- Public school grade: A-
- Population: 2,535

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13 / 25

#13. Durham

- Niche grade: A
- Public school grade: B
- Population: 288,465

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14 / 25

#12. Garner

- Niche grade: A
- Public school grade: A-
- Population: 32,543

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15 / 25

#11. Hillsborough

- Niche grade: A
- Public school grade: A-
- Population: 9,656

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16 / 25

#10. Raleigh

- Niche grade: A
- Public school grade: A
- Population: 470,763

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17 / 25

#9. Fuquay-Varina

- Niche grade: A+
- Public school grade: A
- Population: 37,749

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18 / 25

#8. Wake Forest

- Niche grade: A+
- Public school grade: A
- Population: 51,199

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19 / 25

#7. Holly Springs

- Niche grade: A+
- Public school grade: A
- Population: 43,429

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20 / 25

#6. Carrboro

- Niche grade: A+
- Public school grade: A+
- Population: 21,170

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21 / 25

#5. Chapel Hill

- Niche grade: A+
- Public school grade: A+
- Population: 59,889

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22 / 25

#4. Rolesville

- Niche grade: A+
- Public school grade: A-
- Population: 10,200

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23 / 25

#3. Apex

- Niche grade: A+
- Public school grade: A
- Population: 67,765

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24 / 25

#2. Morrisville

- Niche grade: A+
- Public school grade: A+
- Population: 30,471

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25 / 25

#1. Cary

- Niche grade: A+
- Public school grade: A
- Population: 176,686

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