Choosing the right Charlotte suburb
Having lived in the big cities, I moved to Charlotte in 2006. I have had the experience of being in various sections of Charlotte, and I can honestly say all are great. For those looking to move to the Charlotte area from another state, or a big city, I can assure you that you will find what you are looking for here in Charlotte. I found a recent study that covered the top 10 suburbs to live in. I wasn’t surprised that 2 of them are Charlotte suburbs. The suburb study is based on criteria including cost of living, education, and amenities. At the top of the list is Westerville, OH, a suburb of Columbus, OH. The rest of the list is comprised of cities in states including Texas, California, North Carolina, Massachusetts, and Tennessee:
1. Westerville, OH
2. Plano, TX
3. Georgetown, TX
4. Round Rock, TX
5. Cedar Park, TX
6. Cupertino, CA
7. Matthews, NC
8. Cornelius, NC
9. Newton, MA
10. Germantown, TN
The study is based off the top 75 suburbs connected to the largest 20 cities in the U.S.
- Amenities (shopping, dining, entertainment, etc.)
- Cost of living (percent above or below national average)
- Crime (percent above or below national average)
- Education (student to teacher ratio compared to national average)
- Employment (income and unemployment compared to national average)
From sources including the U.S. Census and Bureau of Labor Statistics—we were able to see how each city did in the individual criteria (on a scale of 1 to 75, with 1 being best) and also on average to give them an overall score.
DETAILS ON MATTHEWS and CORNELIUS
#7. Matthews, NC
Source: Wikipedia user Jon Platek
The first of two North Carolina suburbs (of Charlotte, NC) the top 10, Matthews, population 27,198, isn’t as safe as the cities we’ve talked about thus far. With 2,952 crimes per 100,000 residents, its crime rate is only 6.6 percent below the national average.
Thankfully for its residents, the city did better in other areas. One of them is cost of living, where it is 3.3 percent below the national average (and only .2 percent above the average for the rest of North Carolina). Median household income is also quite high at $70,742, which is 35.2 percent higher than the national average.
VIEW LISTINGS NOW IN MATTHEWS OR CREATE YOUR OWN CUSTOM SEARCH
SELLER offering a $5000 credit! Welcome to 1009 Murandy Lane, where elegance, space, and everyday comfort converge in one of Matthews’ most coveted neighborhoods. This stately home isn’t just a place to live, it’s a place to thrive. Whether you're hosting lively gatherings or enjoying peaceful evenings in, this home offers the space and flow to live fully. From the grand foyer with soaring ceilings to the sun-drenched living areas and inviting sunroom, every room is designed to support connection, rest, and joy.The gourmet kitchen is the heart of the home, perfect for morning coffee, family dinners, and everything in between. The dedicated office allows for focused work-from-home days, while the finished walk-out basement with full bath provides the ideal retreat for guests or game night. Upstairs, the expansive primary suite is your sanctuary, featuring dual walk-in closets and a private sitting area for quiet mornings or evening wind-downs. A third-floor bonus suite with its own climate control and full bath gives you even more flexibility, whether for a creative studio, private gym, or media lounge. Step outside to your resort style pool retreat! This is one of the largest homes in Callonwood with a private pool, priced well below market comps per square foot. It’s a rare opportunity for buyers looking for both value and lifestyle in a great neighborhood. The vibrant Callonwood community offers resort-style amenities, walking trails, and a true neighborhood feel just minutes from charming downtown Matthews and convenient commuter routes.
| MLS#: | 4272008 |
| Price: | $1,155,000 |
| Square Footage: | 7126 |
| Bedrooms: | 6 |
| Bathrooms: | 5.1 |
| Acreage: | 0.31 |
| Year Built: | 2007 |
| Type: | Single Family Residence |
| Listing courtesy of: | Keller Williams Ballantyne Area - AbbyWilson@kw.com |
Contact An Agent:
8. Cornelius, NC
Source: City of Cornelius, NC
With 24,866 residents, the second suburb of Charlotte to earn a spot in our top 10, Cornelius, is about on par with the national average in terms of crime; 314 crimes per 10,000 residents annually. Property crime in the city, however, is slightly higher than the national average.
Cornelius is the first city we’ve detailed where the cost of living is actually higher than the average than the rest of the country (by 2.5 percent). Its median household income of $81,532 is 55.8 percent higher than the American average and 85.3 percent more than the average for North Carolina. In terms of education, its class sizes are double the national average; it has a 32-to-1 student-teacher ratio compared to 16-to-1 for the U.S. average.
Cornelius, also has the drawn of Lake Norman. A beautiful lake, boasting million dollar lake homes, condos, and restaurants.
VIEW LISTINGS NOW IN CORNELIUS: OR CREATE YOUR OWN CUSTOM SEARCH
SELLER offering a $5000 credit! Welcome to 1009 Murandy Lane, where elegance, space, and everyday comfort converge in one of Matthews’ most coveted neighborhoods. This stately home isn’t just a place to live, it’s a place to thrive. Whether you're hosting lively gatherings or enjoying peaceful evenings in, this home offers the space and flow to live fully. From the grand foyer with soaring ceilings to the sun-drenched living areas and inviting sunroom, every room is designed to support connection, rest, and joy.The gourmet kitchen is the heart of the home, perfect for morning coffee, family dinners, and everything in between. The dedicated office allows for focused work-from-home days, while the finished walk-out basement with full bath provides the ideal retreat for guests or game night. Upstairs, the expansive primary suite is your sanctuary, featuring dual walk-in closets and a private sitting area for quiet mornings or evening wind-downs. A third-floor bonus suite with its own climate control and full bath gives you even more flexibility, whether for a creative studio, private gym, or media lounge. Step outside to your resort style pool retreat! This is one of the largest homes in Callonwood with a private pool, priced well below market comps per square foot. It’s a rare opportunity for buyers looking for both value and lifestyle in a great neighborhood. The vibrant Callonwood community offers resort-style amenities, walking trails, and a true neighborhood feel just minutes from charming downtown Matthews and convenient commuter routes.
| MLS#: | 4272008 |
| Price: | $1,155,000 |
| Square Footage: | 7126 |
| Bedrooms: | 6 |
| Bathrooms: | 5.1 |
| Acreage: | 0.31 |
| Year Built: | 2007 |
| Type: | Single Family Residence |
| Listing courtesy of: | Keller Williams Ballantyne Area - AbbyWilson@kw.com |
Contact An Agent:
Here are the details found on CORNELIUS and MATTHEWS.
CITY RANK AMENITIES EDUCATION EMPLOYMENT $LIVING CRIME RANK
If you would like to search homes in the Cornelius or Matthews area please visit www.daniellewasser.com for
my easy to use Real Estate search in the Charlotte area, and Charlotte suburbs.
Look forward to answering any of your questions!
DANIELLE WASSER
704-604-2999
