North Carolina has become a popular destination for Generation Z.

As more and more members of the “zoomer” generation, born between 1997 and 2012, finish school and begin their adult lives, many are taking advantage of the ability to work from almost anywhere. That includes North Carolina, which is the fourth most popular state for non-Gen Zers moving in 2022, according to the most recent figures available. These figures come from a source Zillow analysis From the US Census American Community Survey.

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The Tar Heel State has some of the best learning institutions and technology centers in the country, as well as a strong economy and living expenses is below the national average. North Carolina is also home to natural wonders like the Outer Banks, the Blue Ridge Parkway, and the Great Smoky Mountain National Park. There are also potential disadvantages to living in North Carolina, including vulnerability to extreme weather.

Zoomers may also appreciate reasonable rental costs. For members of Generation Z considering a move to the Tar Heel State, it’s worth doing your homework on how much you can expect to pay.

To help, GOBankingRates analyzed data from six popular North Carolina cities, including rent costs, total population, livability score, and average annual cost of living.

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Charlotte

• Total population: 875,045

• Livability score: 80

• Total annual cost of living: $40,970

• Overall average monthly rent: $1,448

• Average 1-bedroom monthly rent: $1,317

• Average 2-bedroom monthly rent: $1,436

Charlotte is the largest city in North Carolina and one of the fastest growing cities in the United States. It has numerous professional sports teams, the NASCAR Hall of Fame, Carowinds Amusement Park, and numerous other attractions.

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Durham

• Total population: 284,094

• Livability score: 82

• Total annual cost of living: $39,277

• Overall average monthly rent: $1,366

• Average 1-bedroom monthly rent: $1,200

• Average 2-bedroom monthly rent: $1,397

Part of the Research Triangle, historic Durham is home to Duke University and North Carolina Central University. It’s also home to a strong music scene, the Nasher Museum of Art, and numerous festivals throughout the year.

fayetteville

• Total population: 208,697

• Livability score: 73

• Total annual cost of living: $36,610

• Overall average monthly rent: $1,140

• Average 1-bedroom monthly rent: $903

• Average 2-bedroom monthly rent: $1,049

You’ll find Fayetteville in the southeastern region of the state, approximately 130 miles east of Charlotte. The U.S. Army’s Fort Liberty facility is located here and is Fayetteville’s largest employer.

greensboro

• Total population: 297,202

• Livability score: 83

• Total annual cost of living: $35,175

• Overall average monthly rent: $1,131

• Average 1-bedroom monthly rent: $999

• Average 2-bedroom monthly rent: $1,113

About an hour and 45 minutes drive northeast of Charlotte, Greensboro is North Carolina’s third largest city. It combines a strong livability score with affordability, including one-bedroom apartments available for less than $1,000 per month.

raleigh

• Total population: 465,517

• Livability score: 84

• Total annual cost of living: $40,207

• Overall average monthly rent: $1,429

• Average 1-bedroom monthly rent: $1,259

• Average 2-bedroom monthly rent: $1,436

Raleigh’s livability score of 84 tops this list. It is the state capital, the largest city in the Research Triangle region, and the home of North Carolina State University. It is also home to more than a dozen museums and the National Hockey League’s Carolina Hurricanes.

Winston-Salem

• Total population: 249,571

• Livability score: 63

• Total annual cost of living: $35,118

• Overall average monthly rent: $1,109

• Average 1-bedroom monthly rent: 906 dollars

• Average 2-bedroom monthly rent: $1,075

Winston-Salem, where Wake Forest University is located, is sometimes called the “Twin City.” It is located about 90 minutes northeast of Charlotte and about a half hour west of Greensboro.

Methodology: For this study, GOBankingRates analyzed average rental costs for major U.S. cities and the cost of living in those cities. GOBankingRates first obtained the 100 most populous cities from the U.S. Census American Community Survey. Additional information collected for each city included total population, total households, population aged 65 and over, and median household income. Cost of living indices are from Sperling’s BestPlaces. Average overall rental cost, 1-bedroom rental cost, and 2-bedroom rental cost were taken from ApartmentList. The average cost of a condo or co-op is taken from the Zillow Home Value Index. Livability index taken from AreaVibes. GOBankingRates used cost of living indices and national average spending costs for all residents, obtained from the Bureau of Labor Statistics Consumer Expenditure Survey. Average mortgage was calculated using the average condo/co-op value, assuming a 10% down payment, and using the national average 30-year fixed mortgage rate. The total cost of living was calculated for each city using the general rental cost and spending costs. All data is current as of September 13, 2024.

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This article was first published on: GOBankingRates.com: Generation Z Renters – How Much Will Rent Cost You in These 6 North Carolina Cities?