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
Welcome to 1617 Home Place, a beautifully renovated 4-bedroom, 4.5 bathroom basement home situated on an oversized cul-de-sac lot in a welcoming community with no HOA. This home has been thoughtfully renovated throughout, featuring brand-new kitchen with 42" solid plywood cabinets, soft-close maple doors, premium quartz countertops, and a stylish backsplash, along with all new Z-Line appliances. Additional upgrades include all new door knobs and hinges, and modern ceiling fans in all bedrooms. All bathrooms have been fully renovated! and every closet includes custom built-ins for exceptional organization. Upstairs, carpet has been removed and replaced with new LVP flooring creating a clean, modern feel. The exterior was been freshly painted enhancing the home's curb appeal, and the roof was replaced in 2025 offering added value and peace of mind. The main level offers an inviting and spacious layout with formal living and dining rooms, a large great room with a cozy wood-burning fireplace, a private office off the kitchen, a utility room with sink, and a bright breakfast nook. Step outside to the 10' X 14' covered balcony/deck, perfect for relaxing or entertaining. UPstairs, the primary bedroom suite serves as a true retreat, complete with a walk-in shower, soaking tub, double vanities, and a generous walk-in closet. There are two secondary bedrooms and an en-suite guest bedroom on this level as well. The finished basement adds even more value with a new custom-built bar, creating the ideal spot for entertaining guests or hosting gatherings. There is a work-out room and high-end cabinets for additional storage. There is also a full bath on this level as well. Outside, enjoy a fully fenced yard offering privacy and a spacious patio ideal for outdoor dining and events. The high-end plunge pool and sauna are available for purchase if desired. This move-in ready home combines modern upgrades, functionality, and comfort - a rare opportunity in a desirable location. Hurry by, you won't be disappointed.
| MLS#: | 4384540 |
| Price: | $1,300,000 |
| Square Footage: | 4330 |
| Bedrooms: | 4 |
| Bathrooms: | 4.1 |
| Acreage: | 0.61 |
| Year Built: | 1996 |
| Type: | Single Family Residence |
| Listing courtesy of: | Coldwell Banker Realty - sbueche@cbcarolinas.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
Welcome to 1617 Home Place, a beautifully renovated 4-bedroom, 4.5 bathroom basement home situated on an oversized cul-de-sac lot in a welcoming community with no HOA. This home has been thoughtfully renovated throughout, featuring brand-new kitchen with 42" solid plywood cabinets, soft-close maple doors, premium quartz countertops, and a stylish backsplash, along with all new Z-Line appliances. Additional upgrades include all new door knobs and hinges, and modern ceiling fans in all bedrooms. All bathrooms have been fully renovated! and every closet includes custom built-ins for exceptional organization. Upstairs, carpet has been removed and replaced with new LVP flooring creating a clean, modern feel. The exterior was been freshly painted enhancing the home's curb appeal, and the roof was replaced in 2025 offering added value and peace of mind. The main level offers an inviting and spacious layout with formal living and dining rooms, a large great room with a cozy wood-burning fireplace, a private office off the kitchen, a utility room with sink, and a bright breakfast nook. Step outside to the 10' X 14' covered balcony/deck, perfect for relaxing or entertaining. UPstairs, the primary bedroom suite serves as a true retreat, complete with a walk-in shower, soaking tub, double vanities, and a generous walk-in closet. There are two secondary bedrooms and an en-suite guest bedroom on this level as well. The finished basement adds even more value with a new custom-built bar, creating the ideal spot for entertaining guests or hosting gatherings. There is a work-out room and high-end cabinets for additional storage. There is also a full bath on this level as well. Outside, enjoy a fully fenced yard offering privacy and a spacious patio ideal for outdoor dining and events. The high-end plunge pool and sauna are available for purchase if desired. This move-in ready home combines modern upgrades, functionality, and comfort - a rare opportunity in a desirable location. Hurry by, you won't be disappointed.
| MLS#: | 4384540 |
| Price: | $1,300,000 |
| Square Footage: | 4330 |
| Bedrooms: | 4 |
| Bathrooms: | 4.1 |
| Acreage: | 0.61 |
| Year Built: | 1996 |
| Type: | Single Family Residence |
| Listing courtesy of: | Coldwell Banker Realty - sbueche@cbcarolinas.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
