Best Zip: 27617

Location: Raleigh (Brier Creek), N.C.
Metro: Raleigh-Cary
Annual listing price change: +9%
Average listing price: $366,892
Days on the market: 142 days

Raleigh, the state capital, is home to North Carolina State University. The local economy has remained relatively strong because of its base of university, health-care, and government jobs, though consumer
spending is slowing.