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
Perched elegantly above Lake Norman's eastern shore and uniquely situated on one of The Peninsula's most desirable double lots, this trophy estate commands breathtaking expansive vistas from an unrivaled lakefront setting. Inspired by classic Mediterranean architecture and thoughtfully designed for refined living, the residence seamlessly balances grand scale with warmth and livability. From the moment of arrival, a sweeping motor court and stately façade set the tone for the home's sophisticated interiors, where soaring ceilings, custom craftsmanship, and expansive walls of glass create a seamless connection to the lake. Designed for both intimate gatherings and large-scale entertaining, the home offers beautifully curated living spaces, a chef's kitchen with premium appliances, luxurious private retreats, and multiple fireplaces that create warmth and character throughout the home's living and entertaining spaces. The spectacular lake level is an entertainer's dream, featuring a custom bar, wine storage and tasting area, billiards and recreation spaces, media and gathering areas, as well as seamless walkout access to the resort-style grounds beyond. A private guest suite with a full bath and walk-in closet provides ideal accommodations for extended family or overnight guests. Outdoors, an exceptional waterfront experience unfolds with an expansive pool and spa, covered terraces, outdoor kitchen, fireplace lounge, manicured grounds, private putting green, shoreline boardwalk, and a covered dock extending into the sparkling waters of Lake Norman. Every space has been thoughtfully positioned to capture the property's extraordinary water views and unforgettable sunsets. Recent improvements include fresh interior and exterior paint, brand-new carpeting, updated bathrooms, additional laundry room, newer HVAC systems, and the latest in Crestron smart home technology. Additional highlights include a fully finished four-car garage, substantial workshop and storage space, and negotiable furnishings for a truly turnkey opportunity. An exceptional offering where architecture, lifestyle, and location converge to create one of The Peninsula's most compelling waterfront residences.
| MLS#: | 4394741 |
| Price: | $8,499,999 |
| Square Footage: | 11148 |
| Bedrooms: | 6 |
| Bathrooms: | 7.2 |
| Acreage: | 1.01 |
| Year Built: | 1997 |
| Type: | Single Family Residence |
| Virtual Tour: | Click here |
| Listing courtesy of: | Ivester Jackson Christie's - reed@ivesterjackson.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
Perched elegantly above Lake Norman's eastern shore and uniquely situated on one of The Peninsula's most desirable double lots, this trophy estate commands breathtaking expansive vistas from an unrivaled lakefront setting. Inspired by classic Mediterranean architecture and thoughtfully designed for refined living, the residence seamlessly balances grand scale with warmth and livability. From the moment of arrival, a sweeping motor court and stately façade set the tone for the home's sophisticated interiors, where soaring ceilings, custom craftsmanship, and expansive walls of glass create a seamless connection to the lake. Designed for both intimate gatherings and large-scale entertaining, the home offers beautifully curated living spaces, a chef's kitchen with premium appliances, luxurious private retreats, and multiple fireplaces that create warmth and character throughout the home's living and entertaining spaces. The spectacular lake level is an entertainer's dream, featuring a custom bar, wine storage and tasting area, billiards and recreation spaces, media and gathering areas, as well as seamless walkout access to the resort-style grounds beyond. A private guest suite with a full bath and walk-in closet provides ideal accommodations for extended family or overnight guests. Outdoors, an exceptional waterfront experience unfolds with an expansive pool and spa, covered terraces, outdoor kitchen, fireplace lounge, manicured grounds, private putting green, shoreline boardwalk, and a covered dock extending into the sparkling waters of Lake Norman. Every space has been thoughtfully positioned to capture the property's extraordinary water views and unforgettable sunsets. Recent improvements include fresh interior and exterior paint, brand-new carpeting, updated bathrooms, additional laundry room, newer HVAC systems, and the latest in Crestron smart home technology. Additional highlights include a fully finished four-car garage, substantial workshop and storage space, and negotiable furnishings for a truly turnkey opportunity. An exceptional offering where architecture, lifestyle, and location converge to create one of The Peninsula's most compelling waterfront residences.
| MLS#: | 4394741 |
| Price: | $8,499,999 |
| Square Footage: | 11148 |
| Bedrooms: | 6 |
| Bathrooms: | 7.2 |
| Acreage: | 1.01 |
| Year Built: | 1997 |
| Type: | Single Family Residence |
| Virtual Tour: | Click here |
| Listing courtesy of: | Ivester Jackson Christie's - reed@ivesterjackson.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!
704-604-2999



















































