Best suburbs in Raleigh
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- Population: 19,127
- Median home value: $305,500
- Median rental price: $1,409
- Top schools nearby: Raleigh Charter High School (grade A+), Wake Early College of Health & Sciences (grade A+), Quest Academy (grade A+)
- Top private schools nearby: Ravenscroft School (grade A+), Saint Mary's School (grade A+), Cardinal Gibbons High School (grade A+)
- Overall Niche grade: A−
--- Weather grade: B
--- Cost of living grade: B−
--- Outdoor activities grade: B+
- Median home value: $305,500
- Median rental price: $1,409
- Top schools nearby: Raleigh Charter High School (grade A+), Wake Early College of Health & Sciences (grade A+), Quest Academy (grade A+)
- Top private schools nearby: Ravenscroft School (grade A+), Saint Mary's School (grade A+), Cardinal Gibbons High School (grade A+)
- Overall Niche grade: A−
--- Weather grade: B
--- Cost of living grade: B−
--- Outdoor activities grade: B+
#9. Knightdale, North Carolina
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- Population: 31,684
- Median home value: $288,900
- Median rental price: $1,371
- Top schools nearby: Raleigh Charter High School (grade A+), Wake Early College of Health & Sciences (grade A+), Wake STEM Early College High School (grade A+)
- Top private schools nearby: Cary Academy (grade A+), Ravenscroft School (grade A+), Saint Mary's School (grade A+)
- Overall Niche grade: A
--- Weather grade: B
--- Cost of living grade: B−
--- Outdoor activities grade: B+
- Median home value: $288,900
- Median rental price: $1,371
- Top schools nearby: Raleigh Charter High School (grade A+), Wake Early College of Health & Sciences (grade A+), Wake STEM Early College High School (grade A+)
- Top private schools nearby: Cary Academy (grade A+), Ravenscroft School (grade A+), Saint Mary's School (grade A+)
- Overall Niche grade: A
--- Weather grade: B
--- Cost of living grade: B−
--- Outdoor activities grade: B+
#8. Garner, North Carolina
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- Population: 35,428
- Median home value: $364,200
- Median rental price: $1,560
- Top schools nearby: Raleigh Charter High School (grade A+), Green Level High School (grade A+), Wake Early College of Health & Sciences (grade A+)
- Top private schools nearby: Saint Mary's School (grade A+), GRACE Christian School (grade A−), Thales Academy Apex JH/HS (grade A−)
- Overall Niche grade: A
--- Weather grade: B
--- Cost of living grade: B−
--- Outdoor activities grade: A−
- Median home value: $364,200
- Median rental price: $1,560
- Top schools nearby: Raleigh Charter High School (grade A+), Green Level High School (grade A+), Wake Early College of Health & Sciences (grade A+)
- Top private schools nearby: Saint Mary's School (grade A+), GRACE Christian School (grade A−), Thales Academy Apex JH/HS (grade A−)
- Overall Niche grade: A
--- Weather grade: B
--- Cost of living grade: B−
--- Outdoor activities grade: A−
#7. Fuquay-Varina, North Carolina
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- Population: 48,047
- Median home value: $397,300
- Median rental price: $1,354
- Top schools nearby: Raleigh Charter High School (grade A+), Wake Early College of Health & Sciences (grade A+), Quest Academy (grade A+)
- Top private schools nearby: Ravenscroft School (grade A+), St. David's School (grade A+), Trinity Academy (grade A+)
- Overall Niche grade: A+
--- Weather grade: B
--- Cost of living grade: B−
--- Outdoor activities grade: B+
- Median home value: $397,300
- Median rental price: $1,354
- Top schools nearby: Raleigh Charter High School (grade A+), Wake Early College of Health & Sciences (grade A+), Quest Academy (grade A+)
- Top private schools nearby: Ravenscroft School (grade A+), St. David's School (grade A+), Trinity Academy (grade A+)
- Overall Niche grade: A+
--- Weather grade: B
--- Cost of living grade: B−
--- Outdoor activities grade: B+
#6. Wake Forest, North Carolina
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- Population: 42,023
- Median home value: $449,600
- Median rental price: $1,745
- Top schools nearby: Green Level High School (grade A+), Wake Early College of Health & Sciences (grade A+), Wake STEM Early College High School (grade A+)
- Top private schools nearby: Cary Academy (grade A+), Saint Mary's School (grade A+), Cardinal Gibbons High School (grade A+)
- Overall Niche grade: A+
--- Weather grade: B
--- Cost of living grade: B−
--- Outdoor activities grade: B+
- Median home value: $449,600
- Median rental price: $1,745
- Top schools nearby: Green Level High School (grade A+), Wake Early College of Health & Sciences (grade A+), Wake STEM Early College High School (grade A+)
- Top private schools nearby: Cary Academy (grade A+), Saint Mary's School (grade A+), Cardinal Gibbons High School (grade A+)
- Overall Niche grade: A+
--- Weather grade: B
--- Cost of living grade: B−
--- Outdoor activities grade: B+
#5. Holly Springs, North Carolina
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- Population: 9,696
- Median home value: $422,000
- Median rental price: $890
- Top schools nearby: Wake Early College of Health & Sciences (grade A+), Quest Academy (grade A+), Wake STEM Early College High School (grade A+)
- Top private schools nearby: Ravenscroft School (grade A+), St. David's School (grade A+), Trinity Academy (grade A+)
- Overall Niche grade: A+
--- Weather grade: B
--- Cost of living grade: B+
--- Outdoor activities grade: B+
- Median home value: $422,000
- Median rental price: $890
- Top schools nearby: Wake Early College of Health & Sciences (grade A+), Quest Academy (grade A+), Wake STEM Early College High School (grade A+)
- Top private schools nearby: Ravenscroft School (grade A+), St. David's School (grade A+), Trinity Academy (grade A+)
- Overall Niche grade: A+
--- Weather grade: B
--- Cost of living grade: B+
--- Outdoor activities grade: B+
#4. Rolesville, North Carolina
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- Population: 65,541
- Median home value: $458,200
- Median rental price: $1,668
- Top schools nearby: Raleigh Charter High School (grade A+), Green Level High School (grade A+), Wake Early College of Health & Sciences (grade A+)
- Top private schools nearby: Cary Academy (grade A+), Camelot Academy (grade A+), Saint Mary's School (grade A+)
- Overall Niche grade: A+
--- Weather grade: B
--- Cost of living grade: B−
--- Outdoor activities grade: A−
- Median home value: $458,200
- Median rental price: $1,668
- Top schools nearby: Raleigh Charter High School (grade A+), Green Level High School (grade A+), Wake Early College of Health & Sciences (grade A+)
- Top private schools nearby: Cary Academy (grade A+), Camelot Academy (grade A+), Saint Mary's School (grade A+)
- Overall Niche grade: A+
--- Weather grade: B
--- Cost of living grade: B−
--- Outdoor activities grade: A−
#3. Apex, North Carolina
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- Population: 29,756
- Median home value: $429,600
- Median rental price: $1,687
- Top schools nearby: North Carolina School of Science and Mathematics (grade A+), Raleigh Charter High School (grade A+), Green Level High School (grade A+)
- Top private schools nearby: Cary Academy (grade A+), Durham Academy (grade A+), Ravenscroft School (grade A+)
- Overall Niche grade: A+
--- Weather grade: B
--- Cost of living grade: B−
--- Outdoor activities grade: A−
- Median home value: $429,600
- Median rental price: $1,687
- Top schools nearby: North Carolina School of Science and Mathematics (grade A+), Raleigh Charter High School (grade A+), Green Level High School (grade A+)
- Top private schools nearby: Cary Academy (grade A+), Durham Academy (grade A+), Ravenscroft School (grade A+)
- Overall Niche grade: A+
--- Weather grade: B
--- Cost of living grade: B−
--- Outdoor activities grade: A−
#2. Morrisville, North Carolina
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- Population: 174,880
- Median home value: $477,400
- Median rental price: $1,538
- Top schools nearby: North Carolina School of Science and Mathematics (grade A+), Raleigh Charter High School (grade A+), Green Level High School (grade A+)
- Top private schools nearby: Cary Academy (grade A+), Durham Academy (grade A+), Ravenscroft School (grade A+)
- Overall Niche grade: A+
--- Weather grade: B
--- Cost of living grade: B−
--- Outdoor activities grade: A−
- Median home value: $477,400
- Median rental price: $1,538
- Top schools nearby: North Carolina School of Science and Mathematics (grade A+), Raleigh Charter High School (grade A+), Green Level High School (grade A+)
- Top private schools nearby: Cary Academy (grade A+), Durham Academy (grade A+), Ravenscroft School (grade A+)
- Overall Niche grade: A+
--- Weather grade: B
--- Cost of living grade: B−
--- Outdoor activities grade: A−
This story features data reporting and writing by Emma Rubin and is part of a series utilizing data automation across 67 metros.
#1. Cary, North Carolina
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