15 Safe and Affordable Cities in North Carolina for Retirees

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The cost of living in the U.S. just keeps going up and is expected to continue to rise in 2025. It’s becoming increasingly important — particularly for retirees living fixed incomes — to reside somewhere that won’t break the bank. 

Welcome to North Carolina, where the cost of living is lower than the national average. In this state, the average home value is $329,341, according to Zillow. That’s surely less than you’d pay in more known retirement hotspots like Florida or, financial heavens forbid, California. 

But affordability isn’t the only thing that matters to retirees, or anyone, really. Safety matters, too. In an exclusive new study, GOBankingRates analyzed cities in North Carolina to find the 15 safest and most affordable places for retirees. 

15. Shelby

• Total population: 21,712  
• Population ages 65 and older: 4,919 
• Total annual cost of living: $35,332   
• Livability: 75 
• Property crime rate score per 1,000: 26.28 
• Violent crime rate score per 1,000: 9.63 

14. Southern Pines

• Total population: 15,701 
• Population ages 65 and older: 4,026 
• Total annual cost of living: $54,897   
• Livability: 66 
• Property crime rate score per 1,000: 17.98 
• Violent crime rate score per 1,000: 2.99 

13. Wendell 

• Total population: 10,575  
• Population ages 65 and older: 1,702   
• Total annual cost of living: $48,284  
• Livability: 80  
• Property crime rate score per 1,000: 11.02  
• Violent crime rate score per 1,000: 1.01

12. Smithfield 

• Total population: 11,527  
• Population ages 65 and older: 2,113   
• Total annual cost of living: $41,634  
• Livability: 65  
• Property crime rate score per 1,000: 39.29  
• Violent crime rate score per 1,000: 4.07

11. Albemarle 

• Total population: 16,444  
• Population ages 65 and older: 3,585   
• Total annual cost of living: $39,213  
• Livability: 67  
• Property crime rate score per 1,000: 34.50  
• Violent crime rate score per 1,000: 5.73

10. Kernersville 

• Total population: 27,177  
• Population ages 65 and older: 4,807   
• Total annual cost of living: $43,331  
• Livability: 69  
• Property crime rate score per 1,000: 37.13  
• Violent crime rate score per 1,000: 3.20

9. Graham 

• Total population: 17,136  
• Population ages 65 and older: 2,961   
• Total annual cost of living: $41,673  
• Livability: 69  
• Property crime rate score per 1,000: 19.56 
• Violent crime rate score per 1,000: 4.01

8. Kannapolis 

• Total population: 53,314  
• Population ages 65 and older: 7,620   
• Total annual cost of living: $40,452  
• Livability: 64  
• Property crime rate score per 1,000: 19.88  
• Violent crime rate score per 1,000: 2.27

7. High Point 

• Total population: 114,120  
• Population ages 65 and older: 17,860   
• Total annual cost of living: $38,176  
• Livability: 76  
• Property crime rate score per 1,000: 25.44  
• Violent crime rate score per 1,000: 4.46

6. Reidsville 

• Total population: 14,526  
• Population ages 65 and older: 3,286   
• Total annual cost of living: $34,687  
• Livability: 56  
• Property crime rate score per 1,000: 34.84  
• Violent crime rate score per 1,000: 7.15

5. Asheboro 

• Total population: 27,117  
• Population ages 65 and older: 4,823   
• Total annual cost of living: $37,651  
• Livability: 72  
• Property crime rate score per 1,000: 28.10  
• Violent crime rate score per 1,000: 4.24

4. Mount Airy 

• Total population: 10,621  
• Population ages 65 and older: 2,893   
• Total annual cost of living: $35,939  
• Livability: 60 
• Property crime rate score per 1,000: 29.83 
• Violent crime rate score per 1,000: 2.27

3. Eden 

• Total population: 15,349  
• Population ages 65 and older: 2,649   
• Total annual cost of living: $30,523  
• Livability: 67  
• Property crime rate score per 1,000: 28.00  
• Violent crime rate score per 1,000: 4.71

2. Pinehurst 

• Total population: 17,653  
• Population ages 65 and older: 7,090   
• Total annual cost of living: $60,420  
• Livability: 73  
• Property crime rate score per 1,000: 3.40  
• Violent crime rate score per 1,000: 0.43

1. Archdale 

• Total population: 11,873  
• Population ages 65 and older: 2,478   
• Total annual cost of living: $38,207  
• Livability: 69  
• Property crime rate score per 1,000: 15.43  
• Violent crime rate score per 1,000: 0.83

Photo is for representational purposes only and may not reflect the locations listed.

Methodology: For this study, GOBankingRates analyzed cities in North Carolina to find the safest and most affordable places for retirees. First, GOBankingRates found cities in North Carolina using the U.S. Census American Community Survey. For each place, a number of factors were found including; total population, population ages 65 and over, total households, and household median income all sourced from the U.S. Census American Community Survey. Using this data the percentage of the population ages 65 and over can be calculated. The cost of living indexes were sourced from Sperling’s BestPlaces and include the grocery, healthcare, housing, utilities, transportation and miscellaneous cost of living indexes. Using the cost of living indexes and the national average expenditure costs, as sourced from the Bureau of Labor Statistics Consumer Expenditure Survey, the expenditure cost for each location can be calculated. The average single-family home value was sourced from Zillow Home Value Index for August 2024. Using the average single-family home value, assuming a 10% down payment, and using the national average 30-year fixed mortgage rate, as sourced from the Federal Reserve Economic Data, the average mortgage can be calculated. Using the average mortgage and expenditures, the monthly and annual cost of living can be calculated. In order to qualify for this study the city had to have all data available and have at least 10,000 population. The percent population was scored and weighted at 1.00, the expenditure cost was scored and weighted at 1.00, the mortgage cost was scored and weighted at 1.00, the property crime rate was scored and weighted at 1.00, and the violent crime rate was scored and weighted at 1.00. All the scores were summed and sorted to show the safest and most affordable places for retirees in North Carolina. All data was collected on and is up to date as of Sept. 30, 2024.

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