Raleigh is constantly topping all sorts of rankings. Best Family-Friendly Cities, Best Place to Retire, Best Travel Destinations, Best Breweries—the list literally goes on and on…..and on. The latest addition to the accolades? Third place in Best Quality of Life in the World for 2019.
According to a study by Numbeo (the largest database in the world for user-contributed information and statistics on cities and countries), Raleigh has the best quality of life in the entire country.
How the Rankings Break Down
Raleigh came in third on the list, right behind Canberra, Australia and Eindhoven, Netherlands. Other American cities in the top ten include Madison, Wisconsin (#6), Columbus, Ohio (#9), and Charlotte, North Carolina (#10).
The rankings were calculated based on a number of categories, then each city was given a total score. Raleigh scored 216.05, while the top city, Canberra, scored 224.30—so it was a tight race.
Why Raleigh Tops the List
Categories included in evaluating the cities were purchasing power, safety index, health care index, cost of living, property price to income ratio, traffic and commute times, pollution, and climate.
Out of the criteria for the list, we’ve broken down a few of our favorite parts of life in Raleigh.
The Top-Notch Climate
Here in Raleigh, we get to enjoy some of the best year-round weather in the world: mild winters, long and scenic springs, and perfectly crisp falls (summers can get a little humid, but they’re all right, too).
The average annual high temperature in Raleigh is 71.3 degrees, while the average low is 50.3 degrees. We never really have to worry about dealing with the bitterness of below freezing digits or the miserable heat of temperatures over 100. It’s always the best of both worlds!
Cost of Living
For a mid-size city, Raleigh has one of the most affordable costs of living around. The median home price around the area is around $270,000, but there are plenty of options on both sides of that number, whether you’re looking for a townhome in the low $100,000 range or an expansive estate that tops $1 million. In addition to the wide selection of homes in Raleigh, rent is Raleigh is also relatively affordable, with a one-bedroom apartment coming in at $975 a month.
Compare those numbers to cities similar to Raleigh, and you’ll see a big difference. In Denver, Colorado, the median home price is $426,000, while rent for a one-bedroom is around $1400. In Arlington, Virginia, those numbers look more like $689,300 and $2,000, respectively.
Commute Times & Job Market
One of the biggest plusses of life in Raleigh is the bustling job market. With areas like Durham, Cary, and the Research Triangle Park within commuting distance, there are tons of employment options.
The rate of unemployment in Raleigh is well-below the national average, and more and more major companies—like Apple, IBM, and Cisco—are moving into the area. Other major employers in the area include WakeMed, NCSU, and Duke.
Want to live in Raleigh but work elsewhere? No problem—with easy access to I-440 and I-540, Durham is 30 minutes away, Cary 15 minutes away, and RTP 23 minutes away.
Find Your Home in Raleigh
Want to find out if Raleigh lives up to the hype? Let the team at Trademark Residential show you around. From exploring the highlights of the area to helping you find your dream home, we’re here to make your Raleigh real estate experience successful and stress-free.
Ready to get started? Just give us a call!