A recent survey published on August 25, 2026, by Clever Real Estate identified Charlotte, North Carolina, as the most underrated city in America. The report, based on a survey of 1,000 US adults conducted on June 24-25, found that one in five Americans consider the North Carolina metro among the nation’s best hidden gems.
The survey explored residents’ preferences, desirable city characteristics, and analyzed Census migration data to track population movement. Charlotte, often referred to as the Queen City, also secured the fourth spot among the most desirable places to relocate within the US for 2026. Furthermore, the survey recognized Charlotte for having some of the friendliest residents in the country.
The report highlighted Charlotte’s extensive greenway trails, professional sports teams, and its emergence as a culinary hub with local eateries, breweries, and markets in walkable neighborhoods. A separate analysis by moveBuddha characterized Charlotte as one of the most stickiest metros in the US, indicating that residents are inclined to stay in the area even when considering a move.
Data from a mid-year migration analysis by U-Haul showed that most out-of-state movers to Charlotte originated from nearby states, with South Carolina, Georgia, and Florida leading the list. For moves within North Carolina, top origin metros included Wilmington, Charleston, Asheville, Myrtle Beach, and Nashville.
In the ranking of underrated cities, Austin, Texas, placed second, followed by Seattle, Washington, in third. Birmingham, Alabama, secured the fourth position, and Raleigh, North Carolina, completed the top five. Other cities in the top 10 included San Antonio, Boston, Tampa, San Diego, and Salt Lake City. Clever Real Estate is an online service that connects homebuyers and sellers with local real estate agents.
