Cities Near Charlotte, NC, You’ll Definitely Want To Check Out
Charlotte North Carolina
Charlotte, North Carolina, is known for its affordable cost of living, beautiful weather, outdoor views, rich cultural atmosphere, and more. But while living in the city makes it easier to commute and gives you direct access to some of the best entertainment offered, the best cities near Charlotte, NC, offer a similar quality of living to the big city with even more affordability, less crime, and better schools.
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Why live in a city near Charlotte? For starters, you won’t be alone. In fact, the Charlotte region is so popular that it grows by approximately 117 new people every day. History buff? You'll love living just outside the city, as there are plenty of museums in this region dedicated to various art forms. The area also offers plenty of festivals, outdoor activities, and miles of trails ideal for people who love to go hiking and biking. And that’s just a glimpse of life outside the big city.
10 of the Best Cities Near Charlotte, NC
The Queen City is a special place to live, no doubt, but the best cities near Charlotte, NC, offer the opportunity to live a more tranquil lifestyle while still enjoying plenty of entertainment options. If you’re wanting to make a move, take a look at these places. Bonus: They’re all within an hour of Charlotte.
The beautiful town of Matthews is surrounded by lush countryside and is just 25 minutes from Uptown Charlotte.
(Source: Town of Matthews, NC - Government via Facebook)
1. Matthews, NC
- Average rent (one-bedroom): $1,600
- Average home value: $484,700
- Great for: Families, outdoor recreation, culture, local events
- Commute to Uptown Charlotte: 25-minute drive
The town of Matthews is one of the best small towns near Charlotte, NC, most ideal to raise a family. It's surrounded by beautiful countryside and has top-notch schools, along with the Four Mile Creek Greenway that provides a variety of outdoor activities for everyone. The Greenway features well-maintained paths that are great for different types of activities, such as cycling, walking, picnics, and birdwatching.
The Matthews Heritage Museum is another popular spot that explores the town's cultural significance through interactive exhibits. And Matthews Alive, the can’t-miss annual festival, draws in a lot of people to celebrate the town's tight-knit heritage and culture. The event's most popular feature is its parade, which features local organizations and schools.
2. Fort Mill, SC
- Average rent (one-bedroom): $1,650
- Average home value: $518,600
- Great for: Families, retirees, history, dining, golfing
- Commute to Uptown Charlotte: 30-minute drive
You can certainly get your fill of history in Fort Mill. The actual fort at Fort Mill was constructed during the Colonial era by the British, and it’s also located in a region that's linked to the Catawba Indians, a federally recognized tribe in South Carolina. For more info, the Fort Mill History Museum can provide you with a wealth of facts about the township, and there’s also a docent to teach you about the area’s history. Open daily from 10 am to 4 pm, the museum is free to enter.
For more fun, check out Fort Mill's Main Street, full of local businesses known for their unique offerings, including the Pucker Butt Pepper Company — a must-visit for anyone who is looking for the hottest peppers around. Other popular places include Hobo's and Emmet's Social Table.
And when you’re in the mood for some outdoor fun, retirees in particular enjoy the Fort Mill Golf Club, which includes courses that are lined with beautiful, tall trees.
3. Concord, NC
- Average rent (one-bedroom): $1,525
- Average home value: $374,600
- Great for: Families, young professionals, shopping, job opportunities, entertainment, festivals
- Commute to Uptown Charlotte: 35-minute drive
Concord is one of the best cities near Charlotte, NC, that has a diverse and robust economy, as it’s home to various industries. Some of these include manufacturing, retail, and healthcare, along with prominent employers like Great Wolf Lodge and Atrium Health. And did you know the city is also home to the state’s largest shopping mall, Concord Mills?
The city of Concord is also home to the famous Charlotte Motor Speedway — one of the country’s most prominent racing venues. Several major events are held at the speedway, including the Coca-Cola 600 and the Roval 400.
The Concord Spring Into Arts Festival is also a popular event that showcases the work of local artists. It features various activities and performances, in addition to the art exhibits.
Huntersville is home to beautiful Lake Norman — one of the region’s most popular attractions.
(Source: Visit Lake Norman via Facebook)
4. Huntersville, NC
- Average rent (one-bedroom): $1,700
- Average home value: $541,200
- Great for: Families, young professionals, museums, dining
- Commute to Uptown Charlotte: 20-minute drive
Huntersville isn’t just one of the best towns near Charlotte, NC; it’s also home to one of the region’s most popular attractions: Lake Norman. This lake features beautiful beaches, fishing, camping, and hiking trails and is a great choice for those who long to be on the water.
One of the best kid's museums in the area is the Discovery Place Kids Museum, an interactive facility that features educational sections and activities designed to keep the whole family entertained. And one of the most popular restaurants in the area? That’s Pinky's WestSide Grill, which was even featured on the Food Network's "Diners, Drive-ins, and Dives." Its chef, Greg Auten, became the first person to appear on the show multiple times at different restaurants.
5. Davidson, NC
- Average rent (one-bedroom): $1,625
- Average home value: $646,300
- Great for: Families, young professionals, job opportunities
- Commute to Uptown Charlotte: 25-minute drive
Davidson is one of the nice towns near Charlotte, NC, that’s seeing rapid growth. The area is home to Davidson College, which offers a variety of high-quality educational courses, along with convenient — and upscale — beach living. In fact, you’ll never find a dull moment on Lake Norman, one of Davidson’s main attractions.
Two of the town's major employers are MSC Industrial Direct and the U.S. headquarters of the Trane division of global manufacturing company Ingersoll Rand. But being a mere 25 minutes from Charlotte, Davidson is a great place for commuters, as well.
6. Belmont, NC
- Average rent (one-bedroom): $1,550
- Average home value: $409,300
- Great for: Families, outdoor scenery, entertainment, dining
- Commute to Uptown Charlotte: 25-minute drive
The Belmont community is located just over 12 miles west of Charlotte and is becoming a popular choice for people who want to live in a suburban area close to the city. This community features beautiful hills and forested areas around a historic downtown, along with waterfront areas along the Catawba River and Lake Wylie.
Although it's primarily known for those waterfront areas and forests, Belmont also has plenty of entertainment venues. The historic downtown district also has numerous bars and restaurants that cater to the area's residents. One of the best restaurants in the area is The Bottle Tree, which features an extensive selection of international dishes and cocktails. Its large outdoor patio provides guests with a relaxing environment.
Fun fact: To provide residents with easier access to the city, Charlotte is planning on building a new light rail system that will run between Matthews and Uptown and eventually go over to Belmont. This light rail will be known as the Silver Line and is expected to be operational by 2030.
The Tega Cay Golf Club is a full-service club that features a 27-hole championship course and various other facilities.
(Source: Tega Cay Golf and Community Center via Facebook)
7. Tega Cay, SC
- Average rent (one-bedroom): $1,600
- Average home value: $484,700
- Great for: Families, outdoor recreation, culture, local events
- Commute to Uptown Charlotte: 25-minute drive
Located in South Carolina's York County, the community of Tega Cay is situated on a peninsula that's bordered by Lake Wylie and Fort Mill. It was established in 1970 and is known for its various recreational facilities.
The Tega Cay Golf Club, for example, is a full-service club that features a 27-hole championship course and various other facilities. Some of these include a pro shop, a croquet lawn, and four tennis courts. Its event pavilion is also located near the club's practice greens.
One of the oldest parks in Tega Cay is Windjammer Park, which features a beach and an area where people can swim. There's also a picnic area and restrooms, as well as scenic views of Lake Wylie.
8. Rock Hill, SC
- Average rent (one-bedroom): $1,450
- Average home value: $324,400
- Great for: Families, young professionals, history, breweries, local events
- Commute to Uptown Charlotte: 35-minute drive
Despite its seemingly quaint appearance, the affordable town of Rock Hill is quite popular. Its convenient location, vibrant culture, and beautiful scenery make it an ideal place to live.
One of the city's most prominent landmarks is The White Home, which can be found in the heart of Downtown Rock Hill. This three-story structure was constructed in 1838 and features a single-room cabin. Another must-visit area is the Museum of York County, where you can get to know the Carolina Piedmont and its wildlife and ecosystem.
When it comes to good eats, Legal Remedy Brewing is a popular pick. In addition to great food, they offer beer made in-house with a 17-barrel brewing system. And when it comes to entertainment, the town maintains a schedule of events, such as the Blues & Jazz Festival, which is held every October and features all kinds of activities and plenty of live music.
9. Mount Holly, NC
- Average rent (one-bedroom): $1,450
- Average home value: $348,600
- Great for: Families, young professionals, schools, local events
- Commute to Uptown Charlotte: 25-minute drive
The city of Mount Holly, North Carolina, is becoming a popular choice for families and individuals looking for a combination of urban amenities and suburban tranquility — and it’s less than 30 minutes from Charlotte! It offers a warm and welcoming atmosphere that's ideal for modern families and blends the beauty of its surroundings with its proximity to all the fun of nearby cities.
The commitment to education has been a key factor in Mount Holly's steady growth, which is evidenced by its robust foundation for young residents. Schools like Metrolina Regional Scholars Academy offer innovative programs and retain staff members that promote learning in a great environment.
The city's annual Lantern Parade is a popular event that features a procession of lightweight and fragile illuminated lantern vessels that travel down Main Street. These vessels come in various shapes and sizes that luminate the sky in many ways. It’s certainly a sight to behold!
Salisbury’s historic district is full of charming old buildings and contemporary architecture, with plenty of art to admire.
(Source: Downtown Salisbury, NC via Facebook)
10. Salisbury, NC
- Average rent (one-bedroom): $1,275
- Average home value: $267,500
- Great for: Families, young professionals, retirees, history, museums, theater
- Commute to Uptown Charlotte: 45-minute drive
The town of Salisbury is known for its character and personality, and its historic district is full of charming old buildings and contemporary architecture, with plenty of art to admire. The Historic Salisbury Foundation has been dedicated to preserving the area's historic landmarks and neighborhoods over the years, and they own various properties. Some of these include the Utzman-Chambers House and the China Grove Roller Mill.
The Norvell Theater and The Meroney Theater, owned and operated by the nonprofit Piedmont Players Theatre, are great spots for entertainment in Salisbury. In fact, the organization has operated successfully for over 60 years!
Best Cities Near Charlotte — FAQs
Q: Which cities are close to Charlotte, NC?
A: Huntersville and Mount Holly are the top cities closest to Charlotte.
Q: What city is 30 minutes from Charlotte?
A: Mount Holly is right under 30 minutes away from Charlotte.
Q: What cities are within 1 hour of Charlotte, NC?
A: All cities on this list are within an hour of Charlotte.
Q: Where is the best place to live near Charlotte, NC?
A: According to Niche, Tega Cay is the best place to live near Charlotte, NC.
Let PODS Help You Move to a City Near Charlotte
Making the decision to move to the Charlotte area is not a hard one, and you have plenty of options when it comes to finding the right area to settle down in. With a variety of museums to explore, local events to attend, and fantastic dining, there’s a place for everyone near Charlotte.But figuring out the logistics of how you’re going to move all of your belongings can be tough. That’s where PODS can help! Have a portable moving and storage container delivered directly to your driveway, where you can pack and load your things on your own schedule before having the container picked up and delivered to your new home. If the heavy lifting is too much to handle, PODS can even connect you with local packing and loading help. And the best part? One month of storage is included with every PODS move!
Editor’s note: Average rent prices were obtained from RentCafe and average home values were obtained from Zillow. For ease of reading, monthly rental prices were rounded to the nearest $25 and home values were rounded to the nearest $100.
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