Best places to live in the Raleigh metro area

Stacker compiled a list of the best places to live in the Raleigh metro area using data from the Niche. Niche uses 15 weighted factors for its rankings. A majority of the score is based on cost of living, higher education rate, housing, public schools, diversity, and crime. You can read more about Niche's methodology here.

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#25. Wilson's Mills

- Niche grade: B
- Public school grade: B
- Population: 2,652

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#24. Youngsville

- Niche grade: B
- Public school grade: B+
- Population: 2,581

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#23. Benson

- Niche grade: B
- Public school grade: B
- Population: 4,144

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#22. Four Oaks

- Niche grade: B
- Public school grade: B
- Population: 2,372

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#21. Zebulon

- Niche grade: B+
- Public school grade: A
- Population: 7,961

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#20. Creedmoor

- Niche grade: B+
- Public school grade: B-
- Population: 4,957

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#19. Archer Lodge

- Niche grade: B+
- Public school grade: A-
- Population: 5,036

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#18. Pine Level

- Niche grade: B+
- Public school grade: B+
- Population: 2,072

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#17. Clayton

- Niche grade: A-
- Public school grade: A-
- Population: 28,043

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#16. Knightdale

- Niche grade: A
- Public school grade: B
- Population: 19,532

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#15. Wendell

- Niche grade: A
- Public school grade: A-
- Population: 11,585

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#14. Fearrington Village

- Niche grade: A
- Public school grade: A-
- Population: 2,535

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#13. Durham

- Niche grade: A
- Public school grade: B
- Population: 288,465

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#12. Garner

- Niche grade: A
- Public school grade: A-
- Population: 32,543

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#11. Hillsborough

- Niche grade: A
- Public school grade: A-
- Population: 9,656

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#10. Raleigh

- Niche grade: A
- Public school grade: A
- Population: 470,763

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#9. Fuquay-Varina

- Niche grade: A+
- Public school grade: A
- Population: 37,749

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#8. Wake Forest

- Niche grade: A+
- Public school grade: A
- Population: 51,199

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#7. Holly Springs

- Niche grade: A+
- Public school grade: A
- Population: 43,429

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#6. Carrboro

- Niche grade: A+
- Public school grade: A+
- Population: 21,170

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#5. Chapel Hill

- Niche grade: A+
- Public school grade: A+
- Population: 59,889

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#4. Rolesville

- Niche grade: A+
- Public school grade: A-
- Population: 10,200

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#3. Apex

- Niche grade: A+
- Public school grade: A
- Population: 67,765

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#2. Morrisville

- Niche grade: A+
- Public school grade: A+
- Population: 30,471

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#1. Cary

- Niche grade: A+
- Public school grade: A
- Population: 176,686