Are you trying to find affordable suburbs of Charlotte NC? While the cost of living in Charlotte is close to the national average, housing is more expensive. While Charlotte can be an expensive place to live, there are plenty of affordable Charlotte suburbs and cheap places to live near Charlotte NC that can help you cut down on overall living expenses. Your children will gain access to high quality schools, and a larger amount of space to play.
The median home price in Charlotte is $410,000, and the average rent in Charlotte is $1,630, so the suburbs that we’re sharing are more affordable. And regardless if you’re looking to buy a property or rent an apartment, there are plenty of affordable towns in North Carolina!
Here’s a list of the best and most affordable towns near Charlotte, NC you’ll love!
Table of Contents
Enochville, NC | One of the Most Affordable Rural Areas of Charlotte NC with Low Crime
- Population: 3,563
- Square miles: 4.5
- Median household income: $53,125
- Home for sale in Enochville, NC
- Median home price: $266,000
- Median rent: $1,318
- Crime rate: The total crime rate is 1,328 per 100k people, which is 43% lower than the national average.
Enochville, NC, is one of the safest Charlotte North Carolina suburbs due to the low total crime rate. While Enochville might be a small Census-Designated Place, that doesn’t take away from the benefits of living in Enochville and calling it home.
Enochville used to be incorporated and even had a charter school, but in the 70s, the community voted against remaining incorporated, and since then, they’ve remained a CDP.
While there’s not a lot to do in this CDP, there are plenty of fun places nearby to go as a family, like Village Park, The Club At Irish Creek, a golf course near a lake, and Mooresville Dragway, a course where you can watch drag races.
Lowell, NC | One of the Best Affordable Areas Near Charlotte NC for Home Buyers
- Population: 3,650
- Square miles: 2.7
- Median household income: $44,375
- Home for sale in Lowell, NC
- Median home price: $268,000
- Median rent: $2,050
- Crime rate: The total crime rate is 1,685 per 100k people, which is 28.2% lower than the national average.
Named after Lowell, MA, Lowell is a city in North Carolina and a suburb of Charlotte NC. Incorporated back in 1879, Lowell is home to the Lowell Teacherage, which was actually the home for teachers back in the early 20s and is now a historic place.
With the low crime rate and the median home sale price being lower than the Charlotte average, Lowell is a popular spot to settle down with kids or if you’re starting your career in Charlotte because of the close proximity to the city while enjoying the slower pace of a suburban lifestyle.
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Stanley, NC | Safe, Affordable Charlotte Suburb for Retirees & Families
- Population: 3,911
- Square miles: 2.7
- Median household income: $56,847
- Home for sale in Stanley, NC
- Median home price: $280,000
- Median rent: $2,218
- Crime rate: The total crime rate is 1,430 per 100k people, which is 39% lower than the national average.
Stanley is a town in North Carolina, and with the low cost of living, it’s popular for those looking to retire. The official motto of Stanley is “A Friendly Place,” and there are plenty of beautiful homes to choose from, ranging from farmhouse style to ranch. While the population of this Charlotte suburb might be small, when you mix in that it’s an affordable and safe place to live, it becomes the perfect place to call home.
Harper Park is a popular attraction in Stanley for all ages. The walking track is great for those wanting to get their steps in for the day, but the playground is ideal for kids to get their energy out before dinner.
Cramerton, NC | One of the Cheapest Places to Live Near Charlotte NC
- Population: 5,190
- Square miles: 4.6
- Median household income: $82,974
- Home for sale in Cramerton, NC
- Median home price: $365,450
- Median rent: $1,185
- Crime rate: The total crime rate is 1,365 per 100k people, which is 42% lower than the national average.
Cramerton, NC, is known for being one of the best suburbs in Charlotte NC due to its family-friendly community and is a great place to plant your roots.
With it being home to houses on the Cramer Mountain Country Club, Cramerton is an affordable place to live, especially compared to other more expensive Charlotte Suburbs. While the median home sale price is higher than the rest of the examples, the median household income is higher than the city and the state average – so it helps to balance out and make Cramerton an affordable place to live in Charlotte, NC.
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Bessemer City, NC | Affordable Place to Live Near Charlotte for Buyers & Renters
- Population: 5,452
- Square miles: 5.2
- Median household income: $41,558
- Home for sale in Bessemer City, NC
- Median home price: $245,500
- Median rent: $1,220
- Crime rate: The total crime rate is 2,212 per 100k people, which is 5.7% lower than the national average
Bessemer City, NC, is known for being a small Charlotte suburb and being a safe yet affordable city. In Bessemer City, the largest company and industry is FMC Lithium Inc, which makes this Charlotte suburb famous within the lithium industry.
When it comes to notable people from Bessemer City, the most famous are Phil Crosby and Kevin Millwood. While the median household income might be on the lower side, with the low cost of rent and home prices, the two sides of the affordability scale balance out, keeping Bessemer City affordable.
One of the most popular attractions near Bessemer City is Crowders Mountain State Park, which is known for being a popular rock climbing area, camping, and hiking spot.
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Mount Holly, NC | Affordable Charlotte Suburb For Outdoor Lovers
- Population: 17,315
- Square miles: 11.1
- Median household income: $
- Home for sale in Mount Holly, NC
- Median home price: $357,500
- Median rent: $1,540
- Crime rate: The total crime rate is 1,657 per 100k people, which is 29% lower than the national average.
Mount Holly, NC, is known for a variety of things, like its historic downtown and beautiful riverfront views, and is one of the best places for outdoor living and outdoor lovers. As an affordable Charlotte suburb, Mount Holly is great for young professionals, with it being a short drive to Charlotte. And if you have young kids, Tuckaseege Park is a perfect place to take them and enjoy the sun.
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Gastonia, NC | One of the Most Affordable Cities Near Charlotte NC with Great Schools
- Population: 81,159
- Square miles: 51.7
- Median household income: $53,424
- Home for sale in Gastonia, NC
- Median home price: $275,000
- Median rent: $1,294
- Crime rate: The total crime rate is 4,995 per 100k people, which is 112.9% higher than the national average.
As the largest city in the county, Gastonia is best known for being a textile manufacturer. While the total crime rate might be higher than the other suburb examples we’re talking about, Gastonia is still a safe and secure city that’s great for both young adults and families. With highly-rated schools and breathtaking views, living in Gastonia is an ideal choice!
If you’re looking for family-friendly activities and attractions to do this weekend, we recommend one of the following: Adventure Landing Gastonia, which has an arcade and miniature golf, George Poston Park, and Altitude Trampoline Park.
Gastonia is also home to a wide variety of historic places, like the Loray Mill Historic District, Robinson-Gardner Building, and the William J Wilson House.
Kannapolis, NC | Affordable Charlotte Suburb With Lively Downtown
- Population: 52,173
- Square miles: 33.5
- Median household income: $58,084
- Home for sale in Kannapolis, NC
- Median home price: $290,000
- Median rent: $1,439
- Crime rate: The total crime rate is 3,052 per 100k people, which is 30.1% higher than the national average.
Kannapolis, NC, is one of the cheapest places to live near Charlotte, NC. With the median home sale price and rent below the city average, Kannapolis is a friendly city for buyers and renters.
One of the most popular areas in Kannapolis is the downtown area. Downtown Kannapolis offers the residents places like the North Carolina Music Hall of Fame and the Gem Theatre. And if you have kids, then Veterans Park and Village Park are the perfect places to enjoy a picnic and spend the day as a family.
In addition to families, Kannapolis is a great place for young professionals. With a commute to the city by car, Kannapolis allows you to enjoy the beauty of suburban life without having a long drive to work– on average, the drive time takes around 30 minutes, depending on when you leave for work in the morning.
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Map of Affordable Suburbs of Charlotte NC
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