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
This exceptional home delivers architectural excellence, fine craftsmanship, and refined luxury living that discerning homeowners expect from an Arthur Rutenberg Masterpiece. Every room, every detail, and every finish in this 4-bedroom, 4.5-bath home has been thoughtfully crafted with premium touches for both beauty and function. From the moment you enter, you’ll experience the difference that full custom workmanship makes. A covered front porch opens into a striking two-story foyer featuring a graceful curved wraparound staircase, creating an inviting and undeniably grand entrance. The open-concept floor plan flows effortlessly from the formal dining room through the great room to the chef’s kitchen and home office, providing an elegant backdrop for both everyday living and special gatherings. The gourmet chef’s kitchen features premium appliances, a gas cooktop, crisp white cabinetry with a dramatic black stone island, abundant counter space, and a walk-in pantry. This is where culinary dreams meet everyday functionality. A dedicated wet bar with a wine refrigerator and ice maker stands ready for entertaining. Coffered ceilings, custom millwork, premium finishes, a convenient main-level powder bath, and laundry room complete the thoughtful design. The owner’s suite is privately situated on the main level for ultimate convenience and features spa-like luxury with dual vanities, a soaking tub, a walk-in shower, and a custom master closet appointed with well-organized furnishings that rival a luxury boutique. Upstairs, three generously appointed bedrooms each offer en-suite bathrooms and walk-in closets, providing both versatility and privacy. A spacious upstairs club room offers flexibility as a recreation space, secondary office, or guest suite. This is a modern entertainer’s dream, with expansive, naturally light-filled living spaces soaring to tall tray and vaulted ceilings accented by architectural millwork details throughout. A gas fireplace in the great room creates a warm focal point for gatherings, while the sliding glass wall system seamlessly extends the main living area to the generous covered back porch. A built-in outdoor fireplace and the exceptionally private, fully fenced grounds are perfect for open-air entertaining. In-ground irrigation keeps the professional landscaping pristine year-round. Built in 2020 on a coveted 0.89-acre cul-de-sac lot in the prestigious Stevens Grove community, this home combines quiet suburban charm with proximity to excellent schools, dining, and shopping. For more information or to arrange a private showing of this exceptional home, contact the listing agent today.
| MLS#: | 4383187 |
| Price: | $2,495,000 |
| Square Footage: | 4640 |
| Bedrooms: | 4 |
| Bathrooms: | 4.2 |
| Acreage: | 0.89 |
| Year Built: | 2020 |
| Type: | Single Family Residence |
| Virtual Tour: | Click here |
| Listing courtesy of: | Fisher Herman Realty LLC - Daniel@FisherHerman.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
This exceptional home delivers architectural excellence, fine craftsmanship, and refined luxury living that discerning homeowners expect from an Arthur Rutenberg Masterpiece. Every room, every detail, and every finish in this 4-bedroom, 4.5-bath home has been thoughtfully crafted with premium touches for both beauty and function. From the moment you enter, you’ll experience the difference that full custom workmanship makes. A covered front porch opens into a striking two-story foyer featuring a graceful curved wraparound staircase, creating an inviting and undeniably grand entrance. The open-concept floor plan flows effortlessly from the formal dining room through the great room to the chef’s kitchen and home office, providing an elegant backdrop for both everyday living and special gatherings. The gourmet chef’s kitchen features premium appliances, a gas cooktop, crisp white cabinetry with a dramatic black stone island, abundant counter space, and a walk-in pantry. This is where culinary dreams meet everyday functionality. A dedicated wet bar with a wine refrigerator and ice maker stands ready for entertaining. Coffered ceilings, custom millwork, premium finishes, a convenient main-level powder bath, and laundry room complete the thoughtful design. The owner’s suite is privately situated on the main level for ultimate convenience and features spa-like luxury with dual vanities, a soaking tub, a walk-in shower, and a custom master closet appointed with well-organized furnishings that rival a luxury boutique. Upstairs, three generously appointed bedrooms each offer en-suite bathrooms and walk-in closets, providing both versatility and privacy. A spacious upstairs club room offers flexibility as a recreation space, secondary office, or guest suite. This is a modern entertainer’s dream, with expansive, naturally light-filled living spaces soaring to tall tray and vaulted ceilings accented by architectural millwork details throughout. A gas fireplace in the great room creates a warm focal point for gatherings, while the sliding glass wall system seamlessly extends the main living area to the generous covered back porch. A built-in outdoor fireplace and the exceptionally private, fully fenced grounds are perfect for open-air entertaining. In-ground irrigation keeps the professional landscaping pristine year-round. Built in 2020 on a coveted 0.89-acre cul-de-sac lot in the prestigious Stevens Grove community, this home combines quiet suburban charm with proximity to excellent schools, dining, and shopping. For more information or to arrange a private showing of this exceptional home, contact the listing agent today.
| MLS#: | 4383187 |
| Price: | $2,495,000 |
| Square Footage: | 4640 |
| Bedrooms: | 4 |
| Bathrooms: | 4.2 |
| Acreage: | 0.89 |
| Year Built: | 2020 |
| Type: | Single Family Residence |
| Virtual Tour: | Click here |
| Listing courtesy of: | Fisher Herman Realty LLC - Daniel@FisherHerman.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!
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