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
A rare offering on Lake Norman, this gated waterfront estate captures breathtaking unobstructed long range views across the lake. Perfectly positioned in the heart of Cornelius, the residence was thoughtfully designed to maximize the water from nearly every primary living space while delivering a level of luxury and privacy seldom found in today's market. Beyond the gas-lit courtyard, the lake serves as the centerpiece of the home, showcased through walls of glass that capture panoramic water views from nearly every vantage point. Soaring 10-foot ceilings, wide-plank white oak flooring, and designer finishes create an atmosphere of understated luxury. The gourmet chef's kitchen serves as the heart of the home, anchored by a grand island, Wolf 8-burner range with double oven, scullery, wine room, planning center, and bespoke Miele coffee bar. Seamless indoor-outdoor living connects the dining and great room spaces to a covered lakeside lanai with fireplace, built-in grill, dedicated pool bath, heated pool, and spa, all overlooking the expansive water beyond. The main-level primary retreat offers a private sanctuary with tranquil lake views, separate vanities, an oversized tiled shower, soaking tub, his-and-her closets, and private laundry. An executive office, planning center, built-in drop zone, and thoughtfully integrated storage further enhance the home's functionality without compromising its elegance. Upstairs, a spacious family lounge overlooking the water, flex room, built-in study station, and three ensuite bedrooms with walk-in closets provide exceptional comfort and privacy. A breezeway leads to a private second living quarters complete with a kitchenette, full bath, balcony, and flexible living space currently utilized as a fitness studio. The outdoor experience is equally remarkable. A modernized 150-foot grandfathered pier extends into the lake and leads to an upgraded floating dock featuring lighting, water service, and 240V electrical. Whether hosting guests poolside, enjoying a sunset cruise, or simply taking in the ever-changing views across the water, the setting is extraordinary. With no HOA, private gated entry, and a premier Cornelius location, this exceptional waterfront estate represents a rare opportunity to own a truly irreplaceable piece of Lake Norman, where breathtaking views, thoughtful design, and resort-inspired living come together in remarkable fashion.
| MLS#: | 4305488 |
| Price: | $5,950,000 |
| Square Footage: | 6449 |
| Bedrooms: | 5 |
| Bathrooms: | 5.3 |
| Acreage: | 0.51 |
| Year Built: | 2023 |
| Type: | Single Family Residence |
| Virtual Tour: | Click here |
| Listing courtesy of: | SERHANT - thedearingteam@serhant.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
A rare offering on Lake Norman, this gated waterfront estate captures breathtaking unobstructed long range views across the lake. Perfectly positioned in the heart of Cornelius, the residence was thoughtfully designed to maximize the water from nearly every primary living space while delivering a level of luxury and privacy seldom found in today's market. Beyond the gas-lit courtyard, the lake serves as the centerpiece of the home, showcased through walls of glass that capture panoramic water views from nearly every vantage point. Soaring 10-foot ceilings, wide-plank white oak flooring, and designer finishes create an atmosphere of understated luxury. The gourmet chef's kitchen serves as the heart of the home, anchored by a grand island, Wolf 8-burner range with double oven, scullery, wine room, planning center, and bespoke Miele coffee bar. Seamless indoor-outdoor living connects the dining and great room spaces to a covered lakeside lanai with fireplace, built-in grill, dedicated pool bath, heated pool, and spa, all overlooking the expansive water beyond. The main-level primary retreat offers a private sanctuary with tranquil lake views, separate vanities, an oversized tiled shower, soaking tub, his-and-her closets, and private laundry. An executive office, planning center, built-in drop zone, and thoughtfully integrated storage further enhance the home's functionality without compromising its elegance. Upstairs, a spacious family lounge overlooking the water, flex room, built-in study station, and three ensuite bedrooms with walk-in closets provide exceptional comfort and privacy. A breezeway leads to a private second living quarters complete with a kitchenette, full bath, balcony, and flexible living space currently utilized as a fitness studio. The outdoor experience is equally remarkable. A modernized 150-foot grandfathered pier extends into the lake and leads to an upgraded floating dock featuring lighting, water service, and 240V electrical. Whether hosting guests poolside, enjoying a sunset cruise, or simply taking in the ever-changing views across the water, the setting is extraordinary. With no HOA, private gated entry, and a premier Cornelius location, this exceptional waterfront estate represents a rare opportunity to own a truly irreplaceable piece of Lake Norman, where breathtaking views, thoughtful design, and resort-inspired living come together in remarkable fashion.
| MLS#: | 4305488 |
| Price: | $5,950,000 |
| Square Footage: | 6449 |
| Bedrooms: | 5 |
| Bathrooms: | 5.3 |
| Acreage: | 0.51 |
| Year Built: | 2023 |
| Type: | Single Family Residence |
| Virtual Tour: | Click here |
| Listing courtesy of: | SERHANT - thedearingteam@serhant.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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