WalletHub’s 2025 analysis places several major North Carolina cities near the bottom of its national rankings for family livability. Out of 182 U.S. cities, Fayetteville ranked 166th, Winston-Salem 150th, Greensboro 140th, and Charlotte 70th. The evaluation measured performance across five key categories: Family Fun, Health & Safety, Education & Child Care, Affordability, and Socio-economics.
Despite being more affordable than many large metropolitan areas, these North Carolina cities struggle significantly in areas such as crime, school quality, and economic stability—factors critical for families seeking long-term growth and security.
Fayetteville
Fayetteville ranks dead last at 166th, driven by high family poverty rates and scarce top-tier schools. Safety concerns dominate, with poor health and safety scores compounded by limited educational resources. Military presence offers some stability, but it fails to boost overall family appeal.
Greensboro
Greensboro lands at 140th, hampered by low health, safety, and socio-economic scores. Crime rates and instability overshadow moderate affordability. The city lags in providing secure environments and economic opportunities essential for child-rearing.
Winston-Salem
At 150th, Winston-Salem benefits from affordability but falters in safety and high-quality education access. Fewer top schools and child care options per capita drag down its position. These gaps limit family development despite lower housing costs.
Charlotte
Charlotte ranks 70th, middling among peers but hindered by education, child care shortages, and elevated crime. Job hubs and recreation help, yet traffic, affordability pressures, and safety metrics weigh heavily. High poverty in some areas exacerbates family hurdles.
North Carolina’s cities show affordability strengths—better than New York or Los Angeles—but falter in safety and schools, unlike top performers like Fremont, CA. Crime data reinforces this, with places like nearby Lumberton at 40% poverty and high robbery rates.
Why Family Poverty Rates Are High in These Cities
Economic Factors Driving Family Poverty…