Last updated 2026-06-12 ยท MovePlan Editorial Team
Four real seasons and low rents in the cities the growth headlines skip.
1. Fayetteville: Cheapest overall
2. Greensboro: Best mid-size value
3. Winston-Salem: Best arts value
4. Hickory: Best foothills value
5. Gastonia: Best Charlotte-area value
6. Burlington: Best central value
7. Greenville: Best eastern value
8. Concord: Best growing suburb value
North Carolina gets pricier every year in Charlotte and the Triangle, but the rest of the state is still a bargain. These are mid-size cities with low rent, four genuine seasons, and steady jobs in manufacturing, healthcare, and education. Here are the 8 cheapest places to live in North Carolina, ranked by value.