Smart Movers Club

    Moving to Kannapolis, NC

    Is Kannapolis a good place to live?

    Watch Kannapolis

    Kannapolis ranks #12 of 43 North Carolina cities with 25,000+ people on the Smart Movers livability score (62/100), which weighs home affordability, unemployment, education and population growth. Population grew 5.9% in the latest Census year.

    Median home value
    $245,500
    +15.1% vs prior year
    Median rent
    $1,168
    per month
    Household income
    $70,691
    median
    Unemployment
    4.7%
    lower is better

    Cost of living in Kannapolis

    The median home value in Kannapolis is $245,500 and median rent is $1,168 a month, against a median household income of $70,691. Homes cost about 3.5× a year of income (under 3× is considered affordable).

    Kannapolis 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 Kannapolis, NC

    Kannapolis has about 56,470 residents, 4.7% unemployment and 18% of adults with a bachelor's degree or higher.

    Compare Kannapolis with

    Kannapolis vs CharlotteKannapolis vs RaleighKannapolis vs GreensboroKannapolis vs DurhamKannapolis vs Winston-SalemKannapolis vs FayettevilleKannapolis vs CaryKannapolis 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.

    See the full Smart Movers Club report