Charlotte added 20,731 people between July 2024 and July 2025. That’s more than any other city in America, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. But many of the towns near Charlotte are growing even faster.
Since 2020, Charlotte grew about 10%. Fort Mill grew about 58%.
So where are people going? And is it actually cheaper out there?
I pulled the latest Census population estimates and Redfin sales data for six towns near Charlotte. Some of the answers surprised me.
The Quick Comparison
| Town | State | Growth since 2020* | Median sale price** | Change vs. last year | Median days on market |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Charlotte | NC | About 10% | $429,995 | Flat | 53 |
| Fort Mill | SC | About 58% | $526,651 | Down 8.4% | 63 |
| Indian Land (ZIP 29707) | SC | About 19% (Lancaster County) | $497,235 | Down 7.1% | 62 |
| Kannapolis | NC | About 16% | $316,510 | Down 1.1% | 58 |
| Mooresville | NC | About 11% | $417,500 | Down 4.8% | 56 |
| Indian Trail | NC | About 10% | $446,704 | Down 5.1% | 49 |
| Concord | NC | About 9% | $374,752 | Down 6.3% | 52 |
*U.S. Census Bureau, April 2020 Census to July 2025 estimate. Indian Land is unincorporated, so the number shown is for all of Lancaster County.
**Redfin Data Center, three months ending August 2026, all home types.
Two things jump out right away.
First, “suburb” doesn’t automatically mean “cheaper.” Fort Mill and Indian Land cost more than Charlotte right now. Kannapolis, Concord and Mooresville cost less.
Second, prices in every one of these towns are down from a year ago. Charlotte is flat. That means buyers in these towns have more room to negotiate than they did in 2025.
Fort Mill, SC: The Fastest-Growing Town in the Charlotte Metro
Fort Mill went from 24,529 people in the 2020 Census to 38,673 in July 2025. It grew 6.8% in a single year, which ranked 20th in the whole country.
It’s also the most expensive town on this list. The median sale price was about $527,000, roughly $97,000 more than Charlotte.
The good news for buyers: prices are down 8.4% from last year, and homes are taking 63 days to sell, up from 53. That’s more leverage than Fort Mill buyers have had in a while.
Know before you buy: you’re crossing a state line. Property taxes, closing customs and the contract are different in South Carolina. I’m licensed in both states, and I explain the differences in what it means if you’re buying near the state line. If you’re torn between the two sides of the border, read Ballantyne vs. Fort Mill.
Indian Land, SC: Retail and a Hospital Are Catching Up
Indian Land sits in the top corner of Lancaster County, right below Ballantyne. It isn’t a town, so the Census doesn’t count it on its own. But Lancaster County grew from about 96,000 people in 2020 to about 114,000 in 2025, and local officials say most of that growth is in Indian Land.
The stores followed the rooftops. Target and Costco both opened there in 2025. And MUSC broke ground on a $300 million hospital, the Indian Land Medical Center, that’s expected to open in 2027.
Prices: The median sale price in the 29707 ZIP code was about $497,000, down 7.1% from last year. Homes took about 62 days to sell.
My take: If you want to be close to Ballantyne without Ballantyne prices, compare the two side by side. Some streets in Indian Land are minutes from the state line.
Kannapolis, NC: The Biggest Price Gap on This List
Kannapolis grew about 16% since 2020, faster than Charlotte. And it’s the most affordable town here by a wide margin.
The median sale price was about $317,000. That’s roughly $113,000 less than Charlotte’s median.
Downtown Kannapolis has been rebuilt over the last several years, and the city is now home to more than 61,000 people. Homes are selling in about 58 days, the same pace as last year.
I’ve written more about this market in my Kannapolis market overview and what $350K to $450K buys you in Kannapolis.
Mooresville, NC: Lake Norman, Priced Close to Charlotte
Mooresville grew about 11% since 2020, to almost 56,000 people. It’s on the north end of Lake Norman in Iredell County.
The median sale price was about $418,000, just under Charlotte’s. But that number is down 4.8% from last year, and fewer homes sold this August than last August (233 vs. 288).
What that means: Mooresville is a little slower right now. If you’re a buyer, that’s room to ask for closing costs or repairs. If you’re a seller there, pricing right from day one matters more than it did a year ago.
Know before you buy: “Lake home” can mean waterfront, water view, or access through a community dock. Those can be hundreds of thousands of dollars apart, so ask which one you’re looking at. More on the area on my Iredell County page.
Indian Trail, NC: The Fastest-Selling Market Here
Indian Trail is in Union County, east of Matthews. It grew about 10% since 2020, right in line with Charlotte.
What stands out is speed. Homes sold in a median of 49 days, the fastest on this list, and down from 55 days last year. Sales jumped too: 254 homes sold this August vs. 178 last August.
The median sale price was about $447,000, a little above Charlotte and down 5.1% from last year.
My take: Busy market, lots of newer homes, and prices that came down a bit. Good homes here still move. Explore the rest of the county on my Union County page.
Concord, NC: Big City Amenities, Lower Price
Concord is the biggest town on this list, with about 115,000 people. It grew about 9% since 2020, a little slower than Charlotte in percentage terms.
But price is the story. The median sale price was about $375,000. That’s about $55,000 under Charlotte, and down 6.3% from last year.
Concord Mills, Charlotte Motor Speedway and easy I-85 access are all right there. See more on my Cabarrus County page.
Which Town Fits You?
- You want the most house for your money: Start with Kannapolis, then Concord.
- You want to stay near Ballantyne and don’t mind South Carolina: Compare Fort Mill and Indian Land.
- You want Lake Norman at close to Charlotte prices: Look at Mooresville.
- You want a busy market with lots of newer homes: Look at Indian Trail.
Whatever you pick, drive the commute at rush hour before you buy. The map doesn’t tell you what I-77, I-85 or Highway 74 feel like at 7:45 in the morning.
Looking at a different side of town? I also compared Mount Holly, Stanley and Denver, and I wrote about the biggest mistake people make when moving to Charlotte.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the fastest-growing town near Charlotte?
Fort Mill, SC. The Census Bureau ranked it the fastest-growing city in the Charlotte metro. It grew 6.8% from July 2024 to July 2025, to 38,673 people.
Is it cheaper to live outside Charlotte?
Not always. As of August 2026, Kannapolis, Concord and Mooresville had lower median sale prices than Charlotte. Fort Mill, Indian Land and Indian Trail were higher.
What is the cheapest town near Charlotte?
Of the six towns here, Kannapolis. Its median sale price was about $317,000, roughly $113,000 less than Charlotte’s median of about $430,000 (Redfin, three months ending August 2026).
Are home prices going down around Charlotte?
In these six towns, yes. Median sale prices were down 1% to 8% from a year earlier, while Charlotte was flat. That gives buyers more room to negotiate.
Is Indian Land, SC a town?
No. Indian Land is an unincorporated community in Lancaster County, SC. That’s why Census growth numbers are reported for the county, not for Indian Land itself.
Thinking About a Move?
Grab my free Charlotte Relocation Guide. It walks through each area, what homes cost, and what to expect.
Ready to look? My Ultimate Buyer Guide covers every step from pre-approval to closing.
Already own in one of these towns and wondering what it’s worth? Get your home’s value here.
Frequently Asked Questions
Of the six towns in this post, Fort Mill, SC grew the most. It grew about 58% from the 2020 Census to the July 2025 Census estimate. Charlotte grew about 10% over the same time.
Not always. Fort Mill (about $527,000) and Indian Land (about $497,000) had higher median sale prices than Charlotte (about $430,000). Kannapolis, Concord and Mooresville were lower. These are Redfin numbers for the three months ending August 2026.
Kannapolis. Its median sale price was about $317,000, roughly $113,000 less than Charlotte’s, based on Redfin data for the three months ending August 2026.
In all six towns, median sale prices were down from a year earlier, from 1.1% in Kannapolis to 8.4% in Fort Mill. Charlotte was flat. That can give buyers more room to negotiate.
Median days on market ran from about 49 days in Indian Trail to about 63 days in Fort Mill. Charlotte was about 53 days.
No. Indian Land is an unincorporated community in Lancaster County, South Carolina, just south of Ballantyne. Because it isn’t a town, the Census reports growth for all of Lancaster County instead.
Maureen Mahood | Broker/Owner
Sell Your Home Charlotte
704-621-3066
SellYourHomeCharlotte.com
Licensed in NC and SC
Sources: U.S. Census Bureau Vintage 2025 population estimates (released May 14, 2026); Municipal Association of South Carolina; Post and Courier (Lancaster County growth, Indian Land retail and hospital); Redfin housing market data, three months ending August 2026. Market data changes monthly. Ask me for current numbers on any home you’re considering.