It could be the comfort food, warm weather or lush foliage that appeals to you most — in any case, the South is calling and you’re ready to make it your home. But where should you put down roots? The U.S. Census Bureau defines the South as the following states: Alabama, Arkansas, Delaware, the District of Columbia, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Mississippi, North Carolina, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia and West Virginia. This large region of the country offers plenty of options, but we looked at the Southern metro areas that rate the highest on the U.S. News Best Places to Live in the U.S. in 2023-2024 ranking, which examines affordability, job market, desirability, quality of education and overall well-being, among other details. Read on for the 25 Best Places to Live in the South.
The Best Places to Live in the South are:
25. Daytona Beach, Florida
24. Chattanooga, Tennessee
23. Spartanburg, South Carolina
22. Richmond, Virginia
21. Winston-Salem, North Carolina
20. Austin, Texas
19. Washington, D.C.
18. Savannah, Georgia
17. Lexington-Fayette, Kentucky
16. Greenville, South Carolina
15. Virginia Beach, Virginia
14. Asheville, North Carolina
13. Pensacola, Florida
12. Hickory, North Carolina
11. Tampa, Florida
10. Knoxville, Tennessee
9. Myrtle Beach, South Carolina
8. Jacksonville, Florida
7. Melbourne, Florida
6. Fayetteville, Arkansas
5. Charlotte, North Carolina
4. Naples, Florida
3. Sarasota, Florida
2. Raleigh and Durham, North Carolina
1. Huntsville, Alabama
[READ: How to Move Cross-Country]
25. Daytona Beach, Florida
Best Places 2023-2024 Rank: 49
Metro Population: 662,671
Median Home Price: $339,137
Average Annual Salary: $44,620
One of the biggest attractions to this Florida metro area is in the name — the beach, of course. But Daytona Beach may be even more famous for the Daytona International Speedway, where NASCAR fans can take in a race day. Daytona Beach scores highest in the Best Places to Live rankings for desirability, for which it ranks No. 11. It’s also the 8th-fastest growing metro area out of the 150 most populous metro areas in the U.S. due to net migration, according to the U.S. Census Bureau.
24. Chattanooga, Tennessee
Best Places 2023-2024 Rank: 48
Metro Population: 559,860
Median Home Price: $277,245
Average Annual Salary: $49,080
Chattanooga receives its highest score for affordability. Chattanooga area residents spend just 21.68% of the area’s median household income on housing expenses, including mortgage payments, rent, property taxes and utilities. In addition, the median home price in Chattanooga, at $277,245, remains well below the national median home price of $365,616, according to data from real estate information company Zillow. This Tennessee metro area is growing modestly, with a population increase of nearly 1% between 2020 and 2021 due to net migration.
23. Spartanburg, South Carolina
Best Places 2023-2024 Rank: 43
Metro Population: 322,864
Median Home Price: $236,858
Average Annual Salary: $47,400
Ranking No. 43 on the overall Best Places to Live list, Spartanburg offers inexpensive living that’s attracting plenty of new residents. People living in the Spartanburg area spend 21.67% of the median household income on housing costs. Additionally, the cost of typical goods and services are the 12th lowest out of the 150 most populous metro areas in the U.S. From 2020 to 2021, the Spartanburg metro area grew by 2.01% due to net migration, according to the U.S. Census Bureau.
22. Richmond, Virginia
Best Places 2023-2024 Rank: 42
Metro Population: 1,303,212
Median Home Price: $395,164
Average Annual Salary: $56,370
Virginia’s capital takes the No. 42 spot on the overall Best Places to Live list, in part due to its happiness among residents. The Richmond metro area ranks 36th out of the 150 most populous metro areas in the U.S. in the Sharecare Community Well-Being Index, which surveys people throughout the country, asking about their community pride, sense of security and overall satisfaction with where they live.
21. Winston-Salem, North Carolina
Best Places 2023-2024 Rank: 41
Metro Population: 672,914
Median Home Price: $305,115
Average Annual Salary: $51,070
Winston-Salem residents benefit from a relatively low cost of living, which requires just 21.73% of the area’s median household income to cover mortgage payments or rent, property taxes and utilities. Winston-Salem also ranks 28th out of the 150 most populous metro areas in the U.S. for its low rates of property crime, violent crime and murder, based on data from the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
20. Austin, Texas
Best Places 2023-2024 Rank: 40
Metro Population: 2,234,300
Median Home Price: $504,273
Average Annual Salary: $60,260
Austin is the 20th best place to live in the South, and it holds the No. 40 spot on the overall Best Places to Live ranking. Austin is an established tech hub, drawing startups and major corporations looking to tap existing talent and attract future employees who like the Hill Country lifestyle. Austin is more affordable than pricey tech hubs like San Jose, California, and Seattle, and that’s a major factor in its ranking in the top five Best Places to Live from 2016-2021, though traffic and a rising cost of living contributed to its drop in the rankings since 2022.
19. Washington, D.C.
Best Places 2023-2024 Rank: 39
Metro Population: 6,332,069
Median Home Price: $535,038
Average Annual Salary: $80,480
Washington may not feel Southern, particularly because so many residents are transplants from different parts of the country, but it offers plenty of appeal. The nation’s capital offers the third-strongest job market out of the 150 metro areas in the Best Places to Live ranking, and the average annual salary, at $80,480, is more than $22,000 above the national average.
18. Savannah, Georgia
Best Places 2023-2024 Rank: 37
Metro Population: 401,541
Median Home Price: $291,778
Average Annual Salary: $49,170
If you want Southern heat, a short drive to the beach and plenty of friends and family who will find an excuse to visit you, Savannah may be the right next hometown for you. Savannah ranks No. 20 out of the 150 metro areas on the list for desirability, factoring in weather temperateness, the number of entertainment and attraction establishments relative to the population, population growth due to net migration and a survey of U.S. residents asking where they would prefer to live, given the choice.
17. Lexington-Fayette, Kentucky
Best Places 2023-2024 Rank: 34
Metro Population: 514,392
Median Home Value: 263,651*
Average Annual Salary: $50,030
In Kentucky, the Lexington-Fayette metro area offers small city settings surrounded by more rural areas. The metro area best known for its many horse farms benefits from a relatively low cost of living for residents — housing costs require just 22.27% of the area’s median household income. The average annual salary, at $50,030, is roughly $8,000 below the national average of $58,260, but costs remain low compared to more populated metros in the South.
(*Median home price was unavailable, median home value is listed.)
16. Greenville, South Carolina
Best Places 2023-2024 Rank: 31
Metro Population: 918,166
Median Home Price: $320,388
Average Annual Salary: $48,350
Greenville boasts a mountain setting, but many residents are drawn to this South Carolina metro area for the job opportunities. Manufacturers like GE, Michelin and Proterra have locations in the area. Greenville’s average annual salary is $48,350. Even with a salary nearly $10,000 below the national average, residents enjoy a lower cost of living which requires just 21.31% of the area’s median household income.
15. Virginia Beach, Virginia
Best Places 2023-2024 Rank: 30
Metro Population: 1,791,198
Median Home Price: $310,810
Average Annual Salary: $53,920
With “beach” in the name, it shouldn’t be surprising that plenty of people are attracted to the idea of living in Virginia Beach. The Virginia metro area ranks No. 21 for desirability out of the 150 most populous metro areas in the U.S., and ranks No. 17 on the survey of more than 3,100 people asking where they would prefer to live. Virginia Beach also ranks fifth for its air quality, based on the Environmental Protection Agency’s Air Quality Index, which measures pollutants in the air and whether they pose a danger to sensitive individuals or the general public.
14. Asheville, North Carolina
Best Places 2023-2024 Rank: 29
Metro Population: 465,558
Median Home Price: $388,700
Average Annual Salary: $47,470
Asheville is located between the Great Smoky Mountains and Blue Ridge Mountains, which makes for scenic views while strolling through the town and surrounding area, viewing public art installations and enjoying local eats. Asheville ranks 18th out of the 150 most populous metro areas in the U.S. for its short average commute time of 21.6 minutes, leaving Asheville residents with more free time to enjoy without being stuck in traffic.
13. Pensacola, Florida
Best Places 2023-2024 Rank: 28
Metro Population: 503,173
Median Home Price: $278,792
Average Annual Salary: $47,420
Located in the Florida Panhandle along the Gulf of Mexico, Pensacola is a popular destination for fishing enthusiasts and beachgoers. It also draws long-term residents with multiple military bases located in the area, which provide significant employment for active-duty military and civilians, and is home to aerospace engineering firms and manufacturing companies. Plenty of people would like to call this Florida metro area home — Pensacola ranks 28th out of the 150 most populous metro areas in the U.S. for desirability.
[See: The Best Places to Live By the Beach in the U.S. in 2023-2024]
12. Hickory, North Carolina
Best Places 2023-2024 Rank: 25
Metro Population: 364,877
Median Home Price: $228,462
Average Annual Salary: $44,470
If affordability is your No. 1 concern, consider Hickory as your next hometown. With a cost of living that requires just 18.95% of the area’s median household income, Hickory is the most affordable place to live out of the 150 most populous metro areas in the U.S. In addition, Hickory ranks No. 29 for its relatively low risk of extreme weather events or natural disasters, and relatively high resilience to those that could occur, based on data from the Federal Emergency Management Agency.
11. Tampa, Florida
Best Places 2023-2024 Rank: 24
Metro Population: 3,146,074
Median Home Price: $369,299
Average Annual Salary: $53,270
It’s no wonder that Tampa is a fast-growing area — its ocean access and popular beaches make the metro area a paradise for many. It ranks as the 14th most desirable place to live out of the 150 metro areas in the Best Places to Live ranking for 2023-2024. The Tampa metro area grew by more than 1.43% between 2020 and 2021 due to net migration, according to the U.S. Census Bureau.
10. Knoxville, Tennessee
Best Places 2023-2024 Rank: 21
Metro Population: 873,816
Median Home Price: $335,283
Average Annual Salary: $49,290
Many people are attracted to Knoxville for its Civil War history, regional art and access to hiking and river sports activities. Residents benefit from a low cost of living, which requires just 21.13% of the area’s median household income. Knoxville isn’t seeing the booming population that some other Southern cities are experiencing, but its population grew by 1.63% due to net migration between 2020 and 2021, according to the U.S. Census Bureau.
9. Myrtle Beach, South Carolina
Best Places 2023-2024 Rank: 18
Metro Population: 478,654
Median Home Price: $351,681
Average Annual Salary: $40,470
A popular vacation destination, Myrtle Beach is attracting plenty of people who are looking to move to the area on a more permanent basis. The area’s population increased by 4.46% between 2020 and 2021, making it the fastest-growing metro area out of the 150 most populous metro areas in the U.S. Many people are dreaming of moving to Myrtle Beach as well, as the spot places No. 1 in the Best Places to Live ranking for desirability.
8. Jacksonville, Florida
Best Places 2023-2024 Rank: 16
Metro Population: 1,581,680
Median Home Price: $348,852
Average Annual Salary: $51,910
Many parts of Florida can feel different than the rest of the South in terms of climate, food and culture, but you may find that Jacksonville has more in common with Georgia or South Carolina than other parts of the Sunshine State. Between 2020 and 2021, Jacksonville’s population grew by 1.6% due to net migration. Major employers in the area include companies in the health and financial industries, and Jacksonville has a healthy tourism industry, though the city attracts fewer visitors than Florida hot spots like Tampa and Miami.
7. Melbourne, Florida
Best Places 2023-2024 Rank: 15
Metro Population: 601,573
Median Home Price: $217,400
Average Annual Salary: $54,360
Located along the “Space Coast,” Melbourne is home to the John F. Kennedy Space Center in Cape Canaveral, but it’s attracting new residents at a rapid pace primarily due to its reputation as an ideal retirement spot. The median age in the metro area is 47 years, and is the No. 12 Best Place to Retire for 2022-2023. Between 2020 and 2021, Melbourne’s population increased by 2.05% due to net migration, according to the U.S. Census Bureau.
6. Fayetteville, Arkansas
Best Places 2023-2024 Rank: 10
Metro Population: 538,063
Median Home Price: $300,740
Average Annual Salary: $51,590
Fayetteville is home of the University of Arkansas, and many graduates remain or return years later for work. Even without the university affiliation, Fayetteville attracts plenty of people to the northwestern Arkansas area with job opportunities at Walmart, Tyson Foods and other corporations. Fayetteville’s affordability is a selling point as well, as the cost of living requires just 20.44% of the area’s median household income.
5. Charlotte, North Carolina
Best Places 2023-2024 Rank: 8
Metro Population: 2,625,282
Median Home Price: $406,169
Average Annual Salary: $57,270
Holding the No. 8 spot in the overall Best Places to Live ranking, Charlotte is steadily growing, desirable and fairly inexpensive. The most populous metro area in North Carolina, Charlotte offers plenty of Southern charm, but it also has enough residents who grew up elsewhere in the U.S. that you won’t feel like an outsider for too long. Charlotte’s population increased by 1% between 2020 and 2021 due to net migration. Charlotte residents spend 22.95% of the area’s median household income on housing costs.
4. Naples, Florida
Best Places 2023-2024 Rank: 6
Metro Population: 372,797
Median Home Price: $649,679
Average Annual Salary: $50,820
Naples offers the ideal Florida lifestyle in areas like Marco Island and Immokalee, in addition to the city of Naples itself. The metro area has the lowest crime rates out of the 150 metro areas on the list, and ranks No. 12 for air quality. If you like the idea of living in this small metro area along the Gulf Coast near where Everglades National Park begins, prepare to pay more for housing, as residents spend 27.45% of the median household income on the cost of living. Many people don’t seem to mind, though, as Naples is the fifth most desirable place to live on the list.
3. Sarasota, Florida
Best Places 2023-2024 Rank: 5
Metro Population: 824,16
Median Home Price: $387,630
Average Annual Salary: $49,760
Sarasota ranked the No. 11 Best Place to Retire in 2023-2024, and with a median age of more than 53 years, it’s clear that many retirees are already calling it home. Sarasota’s population increased by 3.55% between 2020 and 2021 due to net migration. Sarasota’s cost of living requires 24.89% of the median household income, which isn’t as low as many other parts of the South. Still, people appear willing to exchange the higher cost of living for the warm weather, photogenic beaches and active population.
2. Raleigh and Durham, North Carolina
Best Places 2023-2024 Rank: 3
Metro Population: 2,034,246
Median Home Price: $436,616
Average Annual Salary: $61,759
With steady growth due to net migration, a solid reputation as a desirable place to live and a relatively low cost of living, Raleigh and Durham attracts many people with job opportunities and is the second-best place to live in the South in 2023-2024. The three cities that make up the Raleigh and Durham metro area — Raleigh, Durham and Chapel Hill — are known as the Research Triangle for the high volume and caliber of medical and science research conducted in the area by universities and corporations.
[READ: When Will the Housing Market Crash?]
1. Huntsville, Alabama
Best Places 2023-2024 Rank: 2
Metro Population: 483,366
Median Home Price: $304,290
Average Annual Salary: $61,140
When you live in Alabama there’s no question that you live in the South, but many people describe life in Huntsville as a combination of Southern living with Northern influence because its major employers bring many transplants to the area. With NASA’s Marshall Space Flight Center located in the city, aerospace engineering is a major industry for the metro area, which contributes to Huntsville’s high average annual salary of $61,140. This, combined with its location, makes Huntsville the fourth most affordable place to live out of the 150 most populous metro areas in the U.S., requiring just 19.62% of the median household income to cover housing costs.
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The 25 Best Places to Live in the South originally appeared on usnews.com
Update 06/06/23: This story was published at an earlier date and has been updated with new information.
