Charlotte’s Rankings and Accolades

On average, A WalletHub analysis has placed Charlotte’s housing market third among 68 large cities and 12th overall. The ranking is based on 17 metrics based on the market, affordability and the economic environment. (Charlotte Business Journal, September)

UNC Charlotte has achieved its highest-ever ranking among public institutions in U.S. News & World Report’s 2026 Best College rankings.(Queen City News, September)

Six companies based in the Charlotte region are among the best in the country for tech workers, according to list from Forbes and market research firm Statista (News & Observer, September)

Charlotte ranks as the second-busiest city nationwide for new apartments planned this year, projected to add 16,995 new apartments, more than Raleigh, Durham, Wilmington and Asheville combined (WCCB, September)

On average, 157 people are moving to the Charlotte region each day, according to a Charlotte Regional Business Alliance report (WSOC, August)

Fifteen Charlotte region high schools have earned spots among the top 50 in North Carolina, according to U.S. News & World Report rankings (Charlotte Observer, August)

A study from Lawn Love ranked the top cities for tree huggers, and the Queen City made the top five (WCNC, August)

Firms based in the Charlotte region grabbed 53 spots on the Inc. 5000 list of the fastest-growing private firms in America (Charlotte Business Journal, August)

Charlotte has the #3 best large real estate market in the U.S. (Wallethub, August)

North Carolina is again named the top state for business by CNBC (WSOC, July)

Charlotte ranks as a Top 10 Best U.S. City for job opportunities and earnings potential (Checkr, July)

Charlotte is a Top 10 city in U.S. for tech job gains based on CompTIAs report with 6.7% of the areas total workforce employed in the tech sector (Charlotte Business Journal, July)

Nineteen companies based in the Charlotte region make the 2025 Fortune 1000 list (Charlote Regional Business Alliance, June)

Charlotte ranks as one of the Top 10 most liveable U.S. cities and top 50 in the world, according to the Economists Intelligence Units 2025 rankings (Newsweek, June)

Charlotte, with its strength in financial services and fintech hub and high concentration of population with bachelors degrees, ranks a top 10 best city for new college graduates (Zumper Rentals, June)

Charlotte ranks as the No. 2 fastest growing large city in the U.S. since 2020, growing by an average of more than 17,000 people annually (Charlotte Observer, May)

Charlotte is 1 of 5 North Carolina communities to receive the 2024 Tree City USA Growth Award for sound urban forestry management (N.C. Forestry Service, April)

Charlotte Douglas International Airport is now the sixth busiest airport in the world (CLT Airport, April)

Charlotte ranks among the Top 10 Best Big Cities to Live in the nation (U.S. News & World Report, May)

Charlotte is the fourth best large city in the U.S. for women in tech (CoWorkingCafe, March)

AAA ranks Charlotte among the top 10 domestic spring break destinations (Queen City News, March)

Charlotte has more than 30 A+ neighborhoods (Niche, March)

The Queen City ranks 12th among 100 large U.S. cities for Black-owned businesses (Charlotte Business Journal, February)

Charlotte is one of the Top 10 Most Diverse Cities in the U.S. (WalletHub, February)

UNC Charlotte ranks No. 3 in the nation in U.S. News & World Report’s 2025 Best Online Bachelor’s Degrees rankings. (UNC Charlotte, January)

Three Charlotte restaurants were recognized as 2025 James Beard Foundation semifinalists (Axios Charlotte, January)

More than 1,000 international businesses call the Charlotte region home, and since 2022 these companies have invested more than $2 billion in foreign capital into the city and have created over 5,000 new jobs. (Charlotte Observer, January)

Charlotte ranks 3rd among 50 cities for economic mobility progress (Opportunity Insights, January)

UNC Charlotte ranks No. 3 in the nation in U.S. News & World Reports 2025 Best Online Bachelors Degrees rankings. (UNC Charlotte, January)

Charlotte ranks as the #1 fastest-growing sports market in the North America (WRHI, December)

The Queen City attracts more than 30 million tourists annually (Charlotte Regional Visitors Authority, December)

Charlotte ranks among U.S. News & World Report's top 10 Best Places to Retire in the U.S. (Charlotte Observer, November)

Charlotte is one of the top 10 best cities for young professionals (Careertransitions.com, November)

Charlotte ranks in the top 10 for business climate and for tech talent in Business Facilities 20th annual rankings (Business Facilities, July)

U.S. News & World Report has ranked Charlotte fifth out of 150 major cities for the best place to live in the U.S. (WCNC, May)

Charlotte’s South End is ranked by MPF Research as the #1 fastest growing apartment submarket in America. (Charlotte Stories, March)

For the first time in over a decade, the Charlotte region ranks as one of the Milken Institutes Top 10 Best Performing Large Cities for sustainable growth and resilience. (Axios Charlotte, February)

Forbes has named the City of Charlotte to its 2023 list of Americas Best-in-State Employers (City of Charlotte, 2023)

The Queen City is the No. 3 best city for sports businesses in the U.S., according to the Sports Business Journal (WCNC, 2023)

Charlotte ranks as the No. 2 best metro for Black entrepreneurs, according to an analysis of prevalence, success and financial health of Black-owned businesses. Charlotte stood out for its above-average presence of Black-owned businesses and its welcoming environment for new businesses (Travel Noire, 2023)

Charlotte earned a top 10 spot on a national list of places where Black residents fare the best economically (News & Observer, 2022)

Charlotte ranks as the No. 1 major city across the world for tree coverage, according to a study from Swedish manufacturer Husqvarna. (Herald Scotland, 2021)

Chalotte ranks No. 3 among the nations 75 most populous cities in a Financial State of the Cities report that analyzes political leadership that values honesty, sustainability and financial responsibility (The Center Square, 2020)

The Charlotte Region is one of the best metros for overall outcomes for Black women, according to a study from the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health. (Bloomberg, 2020)

A report from Yelp ranks Charlotte, based on success in restaurants and the wider food industry as the No. 1 most up-and-coming city in the U.S. (Time, 2018)