Question 1

Is Raleigh, NC or Swannanoa, NC safer?

Accepted Answer

Swannanoa, NC scores higher on safety. Raleigh, NC has violent crime rated Moderate and property crime rated Moderate. Swannanoa, NC has violent crime rated Low and property crime rated Low.

Question 2

Is Raleigh, NC or Swannanoa, NC more walkable?

Accepted Answer

Raleigh, NC is more walkable. Raleigh, NC has a Walk Score of 48/100 and Swannanoa, NC has a Walk Score of N/A/100.

Question 3

Which has better schools, Raleigh, NC or Swannanoa, NC?

Accepted Answer

Raleigh, NC has higher-rated schools. Raleigh, NC has a school rating of 7.2/10 and Swannanoa, NC has a rating of 5.7/10.

Question 4

Should I live in Raleigh, NC or Swannanoa, NC?

Accepted Answer

Both neighborhoods have distinct trade-offs — review the data above to find your best fit.

Category	Raleigh, NC	Swannanoa, NC
Housing
Verdict	Think twice	Good for now
Median Price	$425K	N/A
Median Rent	$2K	N/A
Median Income	$62K	N/A
Price Volatility	Moderate	Moderate
Getting Around
Walk Score	48/100 ✓ More walkable	Car-dependent
Transit Score	47/100 ✓ Better transit	Minimal transit
Bike Score	36/100 ✓ More bikeable	N/A
Commute	6 min ✓ Shorter commute	154 min
Safety & Environment
Safety Grade	D+	A ✓ Safer
Violent Crime	Moderate	Low ✓ Lower risk
Property Crime	Moderate	Low ✓ Lower risk
Flood Risk	Low	Low
Air Quality	Moderate	Good ✓ Cleaner air
Community
Schools	7.2/10 ✓ Better schools	5.7/10
Best for	Families with school‑age kidsProfessionals working downtown who can driveStudents in nearby universities	Families with young childrenOutdoor enthusiasts seeking scenic viewsThose willing to accept a longer commute for a quieter lifestyle

Raleigh, NC vs Swannanoa, NC

Bottom line