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
Nestled on a generous 0.44-acre homesite in the highly sought-after Harlow's Crossing, this exceptional five-bedroom, five-and-a-half-bath residence showcases the perfect balance of timeless craftsmanship, thoughtful design, and modern convenience. Built in 2021, every space reflects careful attention to detail, from extensive crown molding, hardwood flooring, and custom millwork to elegant coffered and tray ceilings that add warmth, character, and architectural interest throughout. Designed to bring people together while still offering spaces to retreat, the heart of the home is an expansive great room anchored by a striking stone fireplace that flows effortlessly into a beautifully appointed kitchen. An oversized island creates the perfect gathering space, complemented by 42-inch cabinetry, quartz countertops, a walk-in pantry, a dedicated office nook, and a thoughtfully designed drop zone that keeps everyday living organized. The formal dining room and private executive office feature tray ceilings, while a main-level bedroom with a full en-suite bath offers exceptional flexibility for guests, extended stays, or those seeking the convenience of a first-floor suite. Upstairs, the spacious primary suite provides a peaceful retreat with a tray ceiling, intricate crown molding, a sitting area, two walk-in closets, and French doors leading into a beautifully designed ensuite featuring dual vanities, a soaking tub, a separate walk-in shower, and a private water closet. Each secondary bedroom enjoys direct access to a full bathroom, while the generous bonus room and open loft create flexible spaces for recreation, media, fitness, hobbies, or additional workspace. Outdoor living is just as inviting. The screened sunroom extends the living space and overlooks a private, fenced backyard where an expansive paver patio and built-in fire pit create an ideal setting for entertaining or simply unwinding at the end of the day. The nearly half-acre homesite offers plenty of room to enjoy the outdoors while maintaining a sense of privacy. Additional highlights include two HVAC systems, LED lighting throughout, abundant storage, built-in features, an EV charger, and a professionally finished garage with epoxy floors that add both durability and a polished finish. Ideally located just minutes from Waverly, Rea Farms, Weddington Swim & Racquet Club, the YMCA, boutique shopping, dining, and everyday conveniences, with convenient access to I-485, Providence Road, and US-74, this home offers an exceptional combination of quality craftsmanship, functional design, and one of Union County's most desirable locations.
| MLS#: | 4399736 |
| Price: | $1,350,000 |
| Square Footage: | 4824 |
| Bedrooms: | 5 |
| Bathrooms: | 5.1 |
| Acreage: | 0.44 |
| Year Built: | 2021 |
| Type: | Single Family Residence |
| Virtual Tour: | Click here |
| Listing courtesy of: | Ivester Jackson Christie's - august@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
Nestled on a generous 0.44-acre homesite in the highly sought-after Harlow's Crossing, this exceptional five-bedroom, five-and-a-half-bath residence showcases the perfect balance of timeless craftsmanship, thoughtful design, and modern convenience. Built in 2021, every space reflects careful attention to detail, from extensive crown molding, hardwood flooring, and custom millwork to elegant coffered and tray ceilings that add warmth, character, and architectural interest throughout. Designed to bring people together while still offering spaces to retreat, the heart of the home is an expansive great room anchored by a striking stone fireplace that flows effortlessly into a beautifully appointed kitchen. An oversized island creates the perfect gathering space, complemented by 42-inch cabinetry, quartz countertops, a walk-in pantry, a dedicated office nook, and a thoughtfully designed drop zone that keeps everyday living organized. The formal dining room and private executive office feature tray ceilings, while a main-level bedroom with a full en-suite bath offers exceptional flexibility for guests, extended stays, or those seeking the convenience of a first-floor suite. Upstairs, the spacious primary suite provides a peaceful retreat with a tray ceiling, intricate crown molding, a sitting area, two walk-in closets, and French doors leading into a beautifully designed ensuite featuring dual vanities, a soaking tub, a separate walk-in shower, and a private water closet. Each secondary bedroom enjoys direct access to a full bathroom, while the generous bonus room and open loft create flexible spaces for recreation, media, fitness, hobbies, or additional workspace. Outdoor living is just as inviting. The screened sunroom extends the living space and overlooks a private, fenced backyard where an expansive paver patio and built-in fire pit create an ideal setting for entertaining or simply unwinding at the end of the day. The nearly half-acre homesite offers plenty of room to enjoy the outdoors while maintaining a sense of privacy. Additional highlights include two HVAC systems, LED lighting throughout, abundant storage, built-in features, an EV charger, and a professionally finished garage with epoxy floors that add both durability and a polished finish. Ideally located just minutes from Waverly, Rea Farms, Weddington Swim & Racquet Club, the YMCA, boutique shopping, dining, and everyday conveniences, with convenient access to I-485, Providence Road, and US-74, this home offers an exceptional combination of quality craftsmanship, functional design, and one of Union County's most desirable locations.
| MLS#: | 4399736 |
| Price: | $1,350,000 |
| Square Footage: | 4824 |
| Bedrooms: | 5 |
| Bathrooms: | 5.1 |
| Acreage: | 0.44 |
| Year Built: | 2021 |
| Type: | Single Family Residence |
| Virtual Tour: | Click here |
| Listing courtesy of: | Ivester Jackson Christie's - august@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!
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