Smart Movers Club

    Moving to Cornelius, NC

    Is Cornelius a good place to live?

    Watch Cornelius

    Cornelius ranks #10 of 43 North Carolina cities with 25,000+ people on the Smart Movers livability score (64/100), which weighs home affordability, unemployment, education and population growth. Population grew 2.0% in the latest Census year.

    Median home value
    $512,400
    +13.3% vs prior year
    Median rent
    $1,571
    per month
    Household income
    $114,688
    median
    Unemployment
    3.6%
    lower is better

    Cost of living in Cornelius

    The median home value in Cornelius is $512,400 and median rent is $1,571 a month, against a median household income of $114,688. Homes cost about 4.5× a year of income (under 3× is considered affordable).

    Cornelius crime rate

    City-level FBI figures vary by agency; across North Carolina the 2025 rate was 331 violent and 1,811 property crimes per 100,000 people — #15 highest of 50 states. The full report breaks down local trends.

    Moving to Cornelius, NC

    Cornelius has about 32,009 residents, 3.6% unemployment and 39% of adults with a bachelor's degree or higher.

    Compare Cornelius with

    Cornelius vs CharlotteCornelius vs RaleighCornelius vs GreensboroCornelius vs DurhamCornelius vs Winston-SalemCornelius vs FayettevilleCornelius vs CaryCornelius vs Wilmington

    More: Where to move in North Carolina · Best counties in North Carolina

    Sources: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year estimates (2023, compared with 2022); FBI Crime Data Explorer.

    Home listings, local news, migration, schools, resources and the Smart Movers Grade & Verdict.

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