As the global epicenter of innovation, California—especially Silicon Valley—has long been the playground for tech visionaries. But a new narrative is taking shape. More and more, California tech professionals are looking east—toward North Carolina—for growth, diversification, and long-term opportunity.
Here’s why savvy West Coast investors are planting stakes in the Tar Heel State—and why now might be the ideal time to follow suit:
1. Stretch Your Dollar Further
In San Francisco, the median home price tops $1.2 million. In contrast, homes in Raleigh or Charlotte average closer to $400,000—often for larger, newer properties on more land. For investors accustomed to California’s sky-high real estate prices, North Carolina offers a chance to do more with less—and enjoy greater long-term upside.
Factor in the state’s lower taxes, labor costs, and regulatory burdens, and you have a pro-business environment built for smart investing.
2. A Booming Tech and Innovation Ecosystem
Affordability is just the beginning. The Research Triangle—Raleigh, Durham, and Chapel Hill—is now one of the nation’s premier tech hubs. It’s home to giants like Red Hat, Epic Games, and Pendo, plus a surge of startups in biotech, fintech, and cleantech. Many are university spinouts from Duke, UNC, and NC State.
Major investments from Apple, Google, and others are supercharging the region’s growth, fueling job creation, population influx, and increased demand for housing and services. It’s no wonder North Carolina ranks consistently among the top five states for business.
3. Diverse Investment Pathways
From residential flips and multifamily developments to commercial assets and land plays, North Carolina offers a broad investment landscape. Private equity firms like NC Capital Group are helping out-of-state investors access high-potential local opportunities—with strategy, insight, and trusted on-the-ground execution.
4. Lifestyle and Migration Trends
The well-documented migration out of California isn’t just about taxes—it’s about lifestyle. North Carolina offers thriving cities, world-class universities, Blue Ridge mountain views, and quick escapes to the Atlantic coast—without the traffic and costs of LA or the Bay Area.
Remote and hybrid work models have decoupled jobs from geography. Charlotte and Raleigh now rank among the top destinations for tech transplants, powering the state’s rapid population growth (now 10th largest and 3rd fastest-growing in the U.S.).
5. Investing in the Future
North Carolina isn’t just growing—it’s evolving. With major investments in renewable energy, infrastructure, and smart city initiatives, the state is laying the foundation for tomorrow’s economy. For forward-thinking investors, it’s an opportunity to ride the next wave before it crests.
In Summary
To California tech professionals, North Carolina is no longer a flyover state—it’s a future-forward investment destination. With economic momentum, high quality of life, and experienced partners like NC Capital Group, building a smart, diversified portfolio may begin where the Blue Ridge meets the boardroom
Eddie Coleman, CCIM, is the Principal Investment Officer at NC Capital Group. With over 40 years of experience in Commercial Real Estate in North Carolina and South Carolina, his experience spans multifamily, retail, office, historic adaptation, etc. In addition to advising clients and brokering transactions, he has extensive knowledge of North Carolina through experience in corporate site acquisition, development, capitalization, HUD financing, etc. He holds the prestigious Certified Commercial Investment Member (CCIM) designation.