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 3030 Ashford Glen Drive, a beautifully renovated brick estate tucked away at the end of a private cul-de-sac in Highgate, a desirable luxury neighborhood in Weddington. Set on 1.14 acres, this exceptional residence offers approximately 4,500 square feet, 5 bedrooms, and 4.5 baths, beautifully updated with timeless design and today's luxury finishes. A circular driveway and tranquil front-yard fountain welcome you home, while mature trees create a private setting that feels tucked away from it all. Beyond the foyer, a modern staircase makes an immediate impression as premium engineered hardwood flooring, freshly painted interiors, custom board-and-batten millwork, elegant crown molding, and thoughtfully selected lighting create a warm, refined aesthetic. An abundance of natural light fills the open floor plan, creating bright, inviting spaces designed for everyday living and effortless entertaining. At the heart of the home, the chef's kitchen features an oversized 10-foot island, custom white cabinetry, a built-in Sub-Zero refrigerator, a six-stage reverse osmosis water system, and remote-controlled roller shades. The kitchen opens seamlessly to the main living and dining areas, offering an ideal layout for gathering, hosting, and everyday living. A private home office with a custom glass door and designer accent wall, illuminated built-ins, and a spacious bonus room provide exceptional flexibility. The expansive primary suite is a true retreat, showcasing a newly renovated spa-inspired bath with a freestanding soaking tub, oversized dual-head walk-in shower, custom vanity, and floor-to-ceiling designer tile. Extensive updates include a new roof (2024), new tankless water heater, new metal gutter guards, newer second-floor HVAC (2022), app-controlled irrigation, and a comprehensive Vivint security system with seven cameras and glass-break sensors. The finished garage is a standout feature, complete with commercial-grade epoxy floors, custom cabinetry and workstation, a vehicle lift, a 60-amp Tesla charger, upgraded doors with whisper-quiet rollers, striking LED honeycomb lighting, and a mounted 78-inch television. Designed for entertaining, the private, level backyard features an expansive paver patio, outdoor kitchen, outdoor fireplace, and plenty of room to add a custom pool, pool house, or cabana. The neighborhood's scenic walking trails and peaceful pond are accessed directly from the cul-de-sac. Just minutes from Waverly, Rea Farms, and Blakeney, this exceptional home offers the perfect balance of luxury, privacy, and convenience in the heart of Weddington.
| MLS#: | 4399713 |
| Price: | $1,970,000 |
| Square Footage: | 4470 |
| Bedrooms: | 5 |
| Bathrooms: | 4.1 |
| Acreage: | 1.14 |
| Year Built: | 2007 |
| Type: | Single Family Residence |
| Listing courtesy of: | Fathom Realty NC LLC - panchenko.realty@gmail.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 3030 Ashford Glen Drive, a beautifully renovated brick estate tucked away at the end of a private cul-de-sac in Highgate, a desirable luxury neighborhood in Weddington. Set on 1.14 acres, this exceptional residence offers approximately 4,500 square feet, 5 bedrooms, and 4.5 baths, beautifully updated with timeless design and today's luxury finishes. A circular driveway and tranquil front-yard fountain welcome you home, while mature trees create a private setting that feels tucked away from it all. Beyond the foyer, a modern staircase makes an immediate impression as premium engineered hardwood flooring, freshly painted interiors, custom board-and-batten millwork, elegant crown molding, and thoughtfully selected lighting create a warm, refined aesthetic. An abundance of natural light fills the open floor plan, creating bright, inviting spaces designed for everyday living and effortless entertaining. At the heart of the home, the chef's kitchen features an oversized 10-foot island, custom white cabinetry, a built-in Sub-Zero refrigerator, a six-stage reverse osmosis water system, and remote-controlled roller shades. The kitchen opens seamlessly to the main living and dining areas, offering an ideal layout for gathering, hosting, and everyday living. A private home office with a custom glass door and designer accent wall, illuminated built-ins, and a spacious bonus room provide exceptional flexibility. The expansive primary suite is a true retreat, showcasing a newly renovated spa-inspired bath with a freestanding soaking tub, oversized dual-head walk-in shower, custom vanity, and floor-to-ceiling designer tile. Extensive updates include a new roof (2024), new tankless water heater, new metal gutter guards, newer second-floor HVAC (2022), app-controlled irrigation, and a comprehensive Vivint security system with seven cameras and glass-break sensors. The finished garage is a standout feature, complete with commercial-grade epoxy floors, custom cabinetry and workstation, a vehicle lift, a 60-amp Tesla charger, upgraded doors with whisper-quiet rollers, striking LED honeycomb lighting, and a mounted 78-inch television. Designed for entertaining, the private, level backyard features an expansive paver patio, outdoor kitchen, outdoor fireplace, and plenty of room to add a custom pool, pool house, or cabana. The neighborhood's scenic walking trails and peaceful pond are accessed directly from the cul-de-sac. Just minutes from Waverly, Rea Farms, and Blakeney, this exceptional home offers the perfect balance of luxury, privacy, and convenience in the heart of Weddington.
| MLS#: | 4399713 |
| Price: | $1,970,000 |
| Square Footage: | 4470 |
| Bedrooms: | 5 |
| Bathrooms: | 4.1 |
| Acreage: | 1.14 |
| Year Built: | 2007 |
| Type: | Single Family Residence |
| Listing courtesy of: | Fathom Realty NC LLC - panchenko.realty@gmail.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
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