Accolades

The Town of Apex and the Research Triangle Region are constantly recognized by outside sources for being great places to live and work. Recent accolades include:

Apex Accolades

  • #3 out of 1,300+ for Best Small Cities in America; WalletHub (September 2025)
  • #1 'Boomtown' in North Carolina; News and Observer (November 2024)
  • #6 out of 1,300+ for Best Small Cities in America; WalletHub (October 2024)
  • #7 Most Livable Small City in America; SmartAsset (July 2024)
  • #3 Best Suburb to Raise a Family in NC; Niche (January 2022)
  • #12 out of 1,300+ for Best Small Cities in America; WalletHub (October 2023)
  • # 3 Best Place to Live - Raleigh, Durham; US News (2023-2024)
  • #1 City for Housing Construction Permits Issued in 2018, per capita; Governing Magazine (March 2019)
  • #1 Fastest Growing Suburb in the United States; Realtor.com (June 2018)
  • #10 Suburban Hotspot in the United States; Realtor.com (February 2017)
  • #3 Best Suburb to Live in NC; Niche (January 2017) 
  • 6th Safest City in North Carolina; CreditDonkey (February 2016)
  • Best Places to Live: #1 in America; Time/Money Magazine (August 2015)
  • #2 Best City in NC to get a Job, Zippia (June 2015)
  • 4th Safest Place to Live in North Carolina; Movoto.com (January 2015)
  • Best Places to Live: #9 in America, and #1 in North Carolina; CNN/Money Magazine (August 2013)
  • #3 Best Place to Move To, Forbes.com (July 2009)
  • Top 100 Places to Live, RelocateAmerica.com (April 2009)
  • Best Places to Live: #14 in America, CNN/Money Magazine (July 2007)

North Carolina Accolades

  • #2 State for Best Business Climate; Business Facilities (August 2023)
  • #1 America's Top State for Business; CNBC (July 2022)
  • #3 State with the Highest Tech Job Growth in 2018; NC Tech Assoc. (March 2019)
  • #10 Fastest Growing State in the U.S.; Census Bureau (December 2018)
  • #1 Best State for Business in America; Forbes (November 2018)
  • #2 State with Top Business Climate; Site Selection Magazine (November 2018)
  • #3 Best State for Business; Chief Executive (May 2018)
  • #1 Best State for Business; Forbes (November 2017) 
  • #5 America’s Top States for Business, CBNC (July 2016)
  • #2 Best State Business Climate, Site Selection Magazine (November 2015)
  • #2 Best State for Business and Careers, Forbes (October 2015)
  • Top Ten Most Innovative States in the U.S., Consumer Electronics Association (April 2015)
  • #5 State for Clean Sector Job Creation, Environmental Entrepreneurs (November 2014)
  • #3 Fastest-Growing State for Tech Jobs, Dice (August 2014)

For a complete list of regional accolades, please visit Wake County Economic Development.