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
Commandingly positioned atop a coveted cul-de-sac, this spectacular brick-and-stone John Wieland Colonnade estate embodies timeless elegance and resort-style living in the prestigious Enclave of Brookhaven—an exclusive hideaway prized for its tranquility and privacy. Set on over half an acre of manicured grounds, the home spans nearly 5,000 square feet of sophisticated design, where grand architectural details blend seamlessly with everyday comfort. A soaring two-story foyer makes a stunning first impression, leading to light-filled living spaces that capture sweeping views of the lush, park-like surroundings. The main level offers a private sanctuary, anchored by a gracious primary suite with coffered ceilings, a spa-inspired bath, dual walk-in closets, and an adjoining study—perfect for a quiet retreat or luxe home office. A separate guest suite with a full ensuite bath ensures privacy for visitors. At the heart of the home, the impeccably designed kitchen opens to the fireside family room and breakfast nook, creating a warm and inviting hub for daily life and effortless entertaining. A sleek drop zone keeps everything organized. Upstairs, three spacious bedrooms, a dedicated home theater, and a sprawling bonus loft provide unmatched versatility—offering space for study sessions, a home gym, or simply unwinding in style. Outside, paradise awaits. The resort-worthy backyard steals the show with its glistening pool framed by natural stone grotto accents, a soothing spa, outdoor kitchen, and an expansive paver patio designed for gatherings under the stars. A fully fenced, level yard offers beauty, privacy, and room to play. Additional highlights include a rare four-car garage, hardwood flooring throughout the main level, 10-foot ceilings, and over 600+ square feet of dedicated storage space, providing capacity for seasonal décor and long-term organization needs. A private trail connects directly to the neighborhood’s world-class amenities—clubhouse, pool with lazy river, tennis courts, fitness center, and walking trails. Perfectly positioned minutes from downtown Matthews, The Shops at Waverly, Rea Farms, and Blakeney—and zoned for the award-winning Weddington school district—this estate is more than a home. It’s a lifestyle masterpiece and the kind of place you never want to leave.
| MLS#: | 4367901 |
| Price: | $1,425,000 |
| Square Footage: | 4823 |
| Bedrooms: | 5 |
| Bathrooms: | 4.1 |
| Acreage: | 0.58 |
| Year Built: | 2005 |
| Type: | Single Family Residence |
| Virtual Tour: | Click here |
| Listing courtesy of: | ERA Live Moore - 704-609-0100 |
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
Commandingly positioned atop a coveted cul-de-sac, this spectacular brick-and-stone John Wieland Colonnade estate embodies timeless elegance and resort-style living in the prestigious Enclave of Brookhaven—an exclusive hideaway prized for its tranquility and privacy. Set on over half an acre of manicured grounds, the home spans nearly 5,000 square feet of sophisticated design, where grand architectural details blend seamlessly with everyday comfort. A soaring two-story foyer makes a stunning first impression, leading to light-filled living spaces that capture sweeping views of the lush, park-like surroundings. The main level offers a private sanctuary, anchored by a gracious primary suite with coffered ceilings, a spa-inspired bath, dual walk-in closets, and an adjoining study—perfect for a quiet retreat or luxe home office. A separate guest suite with a full ensuite bath ensures privacy for visitors. At the heart of the home, the impeccably designed kitchen opens to the fireside family room and breakfast nook, creating a warm and inviting hub for daily life and effortless entertaining. A sleek drop zone keeps everything organized. Upstairs, three spacious bedrooms, a dedicated home theater, and a sprawling bonus loft provide unmatched versatility—offering space for study sessions, a home gym, or simply unwinding in style. Outside, paradise awaits. The resort-worthy backyard steals the show with its glistening pool framed by natural stone grotto accents, a soothing spa, outdoor kitchen, and an expansive paver patio designed for gatherings under the stars. A fully fenced, level yard offers beauty, privacy, and room to play. Additional highlights include a rare four-car garage, hardwood flooring throughout the main level, 10-foot ceilings, and over 600+ square feet of dedicated storage space, providing capacity for seasonal décor and long-term organization needs. A private trail connects directly to the neighborhood’s world-class amenities—clubhouse, pool with lazy river, tennis courts, fitness center, and walking trails. Perfectly positioned minutes from downtown Matthews, The Shops at Waverly, Rea Farms, and Blakeney—and zoned for the award-winning Weddington school district—this estate is more than a home. It’s a lifestyle masterpiece and the kind of place you never want to leave.
| MLS#: | 4367901 |
| Price: | $1,425,000 |
| Square Footage: | 4823 |
| Bedrooms: | 5 |
| Bathrooms: | 4.1 |
| Acreage: | 0.58 |
| Year Built: | 2005 |
| Type: | Single Family Residence |
| Virtual Tour: | Click here |
| Listing courtesy of: | ERA Live Moore - 704-609-0100 |
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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