6 NC spots made the annual Best Places to Live in the South list. Here’s why

Kimberly Cataudella
Travis Long/News & Observer file photo

Six North Carolina spots have been named among the top 25 places to live in the South in a recent US News & World Report ranking, with two Triangle cities near the top of the list.

Raleigh and Durham were both named as the second-best place to live in the South. Hunstville, Alabama took first place.

Last month, US News & World Report’s Best Places to Live in the US list had Raleigh and Durham at No. 3, behind Green Bay, Wisconsin at No. 1 and Hunstville, Alabama at No. 2.

Charlotte, Hickory, Asheville and Winston-Salem were also included in the Best Places to Live in the South list.

You can read the full list and all details at realestate.usnews.com/real-estate.

Here’s what US News & World Report said of all the NC spots:

No. 2: Raleigh, Durham

Both Raleigh and Durham were collectively ranked at #2 on this list of the 25 best places to live in the south.

  • 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,” US News & World Report wrote.

“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.”

No. 5: Charlotte, NC

Charlotte was ranked #5 on this list of the 25 best places to live in the south.

  • 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,” US News & World Report wrote.

“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.”

No: 12 Hickory, NC

Hickory was ranked #12 on this list of the 25 best places to live in the south.

  • 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.,” US News & World Report wrote.

“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.”

Hickory was also named the No. 1 Best Affordable Place to Live in the US this year.

No. 14: Asheville, NC

Asheville was ranked #14 on this list of the 25 best places to live in the south.

  • 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,” US News & World Report wrote.

“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.”

No. 21: Winston-Salem, NC

Winston-Salem was ranked #21 on this list of the 25 best places to live in the south.

  • 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,” US News & World Report wrote.

“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.”

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