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Best Southern Cities to Call Home
May 13, 2025
In:
Finding a nice place to live in the Southern U.S.
In the market for a charming town, a slower-paced lifestyle and warmer weather? Moving to the Southern United States could be a good fit! States like Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina and Texas offer excellent opportunities along with a good dose of Southern Hospitality.
As you narrow down choices for where to live, consider one of these cities to call home.
15 cities in the South worth checking out
The South is full of growing cities and inviting small towns. To help find the right fit, we’ve highlighted 15 Southern cities with interesting attractions, good economies and pleasant weather.
Check out these cities (in alphabetical order):
1. Atlanta, Georgia
Incorporated: 1847
Population: 499,000 (6.3 million in the metro)
Climate: Humid subtropical, average temperatures range from 33 to 88 degrees, 52 inches of rain annually, snow accumulation averages 1 inch
Notable attractions: Georgia Aquarium, World of Coca-Cola, Martin Luther King Jr. National Historical Park
Claims to fame: Major transportation hub (home to one of the world’s busiest airports), Host city for the 1996 Summer Olympics, vibrant film industry
Economy and job market: Strong economy with opportunities in transportation, film, tech, finance and education
2. Austin, Texas
Incorporated: 1839
Population: 974,000 (2.4 million in the metro)
Climate: Humid subtropical, average temperature range between 38 and 95 degrees, 35 inches of rain annually, snow accumulation is rare
Notable attractions: Texas State Capitol Building, Mount Bonnell, Zilker Metropolitan Park
Claims to fame: State capital, live music, great food, “Keep Austin Weird” slogan
Economy and job market: Booming economy for tech and startup companies, no state income tax, low unemployment rates
3. Biloxi, Mississippi
Incorporated: 1838
Population: 49,000 (416,000 in the Gulfport-Biloxi metro)
Climate: Humid subtropical, average temperatures range from 42 to 90 degrees, around 65 inches of rain annually, snowfall is rare
Notable attractions: Biloxi Lighthouse, Paradise Pier Fun Park, Maritime and Seafood Industry Museum
Claims to fame: White sand beaches, casino gaming, rich seafood heritage
Economy and job market: Tourism-boosted economy, employment opportunities in military, healthcare, seafood and hospitality industries
4. Charleston, South Carolina
Incorporated: 1783
Population: 155,000 (849,000 in the metro)
Climate: Humid subtropical, average temperatures range from 39 to 90 degrees, about 48 inches of rain annually, snowfall is rare
Notable attractions: Historic downtown with cobblestone streets, Fort Sumter, Waterfront Park
Claims to fame: Rich colonial history, well-preserved architecture, celebrated culinary scene
Economy and job market: Strong economy primarily consisting of trade, transportation, government, business services, education, healthcare and hospitality
5. Charlotte, North Carolina
Incorporated: 1768
Population: 875,000 (2.8 million in the metro)
Climate: Humid subtropical, average temperature range between 30 and 90 degrees, 43 inches of rain annually, snow accumulation averages 2 inches per year
Notable attractions: NASCAR Hall of Fame, Mint Museum Uptown, Carowinds Amusement Park
Claims to fame: Home of NASCAR, rapid growth, uptown skyline
Economy and job market: Financial hub, healthcare and business jobs
6. Dallas, Texas
Incorporated: 1856
Population: 1.3 million (7.6 million in the metro)
Climate: Humid subtropical, average temperature range between 36 and 95 degrees, 39 inches of rain annually, snow accumulation averages 1 inch per year
Notable attractions: The Sixth Floor Museum at Dealey Plaza, Dallas World Aquarium, Dallas Museum of Art
Claims to fame: Major business hub, “Go big, or go home” mindset, Dallas Cowboys football
Economy and job market: Strong economy with low unemployment rates; no state income tax; manufacturing, government, healthcare, technology and financial services job opportunities
7. Fayetteville, Arkansas
Incorporated: 1836
Population: 94,000 (576,000 in the metro)
Climate: Humid subtropical, average temperature range between 25 and 89 degrees, 47 inches of rain annually, snow accumulation averages 7 inches per year
Notable attractions: Botanical Garden of the Ozarks, Dickson Street, Devil’s Den State Park
Claims to fame: College town atmosphere (Arkansas Razorbacks), part of rapidly growing Northwest Arkansas, abundant outdoor activities
Economy and job market: Booming economy with opportunities in education, retail (Walmart HQ nearby), healthcare and logistics
8. Houston, Texas
Incorporated: 1837
Population: 2.3 million (7.1 million in the metro)
Climate: Humid subtropical, average temperature range between 43 and 93 degrees, 53 inches of rain annually, snow accumulation is rare
Notable attractions: Houston Zoo, Museums of Contemporary Art and Natural Science, Downtown Aquarium
Claims to fame: NASA’s Johnson Space Center, medical hub with the Texas Medical Center, global leader in energy
Economy and job market: Home to multiple Fortune 500 companies, including ConocoPhillips and Sysco; aerospace hub; healthcare; oil and gas industry
9. Miami, Florida
Incorporated: 1896
Population: 442,000 (6 million in the metro)
Climate: Humid subtropical, average temperature range between 61 and 89 degrees, 59 inches of rain annually, snow is rare
Notable attractions: Zoo Miami, South Beach, Miami Seaquarium
Claims to fame: Vibrant metro area, white sand beaches, Art Deco architecture
Economy and job market: Business hub, no state income tax, hospitality industry jobs
10. Mobile, Alabama
Incorporated: 1814 (town), 1819 (city)
Population: 187,000 (412,000 in the metro)
Climate: Humid subtropical, average temperatures range from 40 to 91 degrees, 66 inches of rain annually, snowfall is rare
Notable attractions: USS Alabama Battleship Memorial Park, Mobile Carnival Museum, Dauphin Island (nearby)
Claims to fame: Birthplace of America's first Mardi Gras in 1703, historic port city, rich French and Spanish colonial history
Economy and job market: Growing economy, opportunities in shipbuilding, aerospace, manufacturing, healthcare and port logistics
11. Nashville, Tennessee
Incorporated: 1806
Population: 700,000 (2 million in the metro)
Climate: Humid subtropical, average temperature range between 27 and 90 degrees, 50 inches of rain annually, snow accumulation averages 4 inches per year
Notable attractions: Grand Ole Opry, Country Music Hall of Fame, Nashville Zoo
Claims to fame: Country music capital, exciting nightlife, reasonable cost of living
Economy and job market: Growing economy, healthcare hub for the South, music industry jobs
12. Orlando, Florida
Incorporated: 1875
Population: 308,000 (2.7 million in the metro)
Climate: Subtropical, average temperature range between 49 and 92 degrees, 52 inches of rain annually, snowfall is rare
Notable attractions: Walt Disney World Resort, Universal Orlando Resort, SeaWorld Orlando
Claims to fame: “Theme Park Capital of the World”, abundant sunshine, nightlife
Economy and job market: Tourism-driven economy, no state income tax, hospitality industry jobs
Want to explore more “Sunshine State” cities? Check out the 10 best places to live in Florida.
13. Raleigh, North Carolina
Incorporated: 1792
Population: 468,000 (1.5 million in the metro)
Climate: Humid subtropical, average temperatures range from 30 to 90 degrees, 46 inches of rain annually, snow accumulation averages 4 inches per year
Notable attractions: North Carolina Museums of Natural Sciences, Art and History; Pullen Park, William B. Umstead State Park
Claims to fame: State capital, one of the fastest-growing cities in the U.S., part of the Research Triangle
Economy and job market: Booming economy with technology, research, healthcare, education and government opportunities
14. Savannah, Georgia
Incorporated: 1733 (founding date)
Population: 148,000 (405,000 in the metro)
Climate: Humid subtropical, average temperatures range from 39 to 91 degrees, 49 inches of rain annually, snowfall is rare
Notable attractions: Forsyth Park, Savannah Historic District, River Street, Bonaventure Cemetery
Claims to fame: Cobblestone streets and historic architecture, strong tourism appeal, coastal charm with antebellum roots
Economy and job market: Robust economy with opportunities in tourism, port operations, manufacturing, logistics and healthcare
15. Shreveport, Louisiana
Incorporated: 1839
Population: 202,000 (547,000 in the metro)
Climate: Temperate, average temperature range between 35 and 93 degrees, 52 inches of rain annually, snowfall accumulation averages 1 inch per year
Notable attractions: Shreveport Waterworks Museum, Shreveport Aquarium, American Rose Museum
Claims to fame: Riverboat casinos, Southern cuisine with Cajun and Creole influence, jazz and blues music
Economy and job market: Current economic transition with opportunities in healthcare, retail, education, manufacturing and logistics
Note: Population data was pulled from the 2020 U.S. Census.
U-Pack can help you relocate to the South
When you’re ready to pick a mover, don’t forget your free U-Pack® quote. We’re a long-distance DIY moving service with locations in all 50 states. Call 844-362-5303844-594-3077 to discuss your out-of-state move with a moving consultant or request a quote online.
Which Southern city is your favorite? Let us know in the comments!
Suggested reading: Places to avoid snow.
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