The Best Southern Cities and States to Call Home

Finding a place to call home in the South

Whether you’re looking for warmer weather, homestyle cooking or good old-fashioned southern hospitality, there’s a lot to look forward to when thinking about life in the Southern United States. 

Every state has something different to offer, so finding the right place to live starts with figuring out what feels like home to you.

What do we mean by “the South”?

For this guide, we're looking at Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia and West Virginia.

What’s the best Southern state to live in?

The right Southern state for you depends on what you find important. For example, someone who wants to avoid snow might choose differently than a person wanting job growth above all else. 

Quick Southern state comparison

Check out the chart below to see which states have what you’re looking for. The states are listed alphabetically.

Best cities in the Southern United States

The South is full of growing cities and inviting small towns. To help find the right fit, we’ve highlighted 30 Southern cities with plenty to see and do, strong job opportunities and great weather.

Check out these 30 cities to consider for your next move (listed alphabetically by state):

1. Birmingham, Alabama

• Population: 201,000 (1.2 million metro)
• Climate: Humid subtropical; average temperatures range from 32 to 90 degrees, 56 inches of rain and 1 inch or less of occasional snow
• Notable attractions: Birmingham Civil Rights Institute, Barber Vintage Motorsports Museum, Birmingham Museum of Art
• Claims to fame: Civil rights history, Southern food, professional sports and outdoor recreation
• Popular careers: Healthcare, finance, education, manufacturing and technology

2. Mobile, Alabama

• Population: 187,000 (about 412,000 metro)
• Climate: Humid subtropical; average temperatures range from 40 to 91 degrees, 66 inches of rain and little snow
• Notable attractions: USS Alabama, Mobile Carnival Museum, GulfQuest National Maritime Museum, historic downtown
• Claims to fame: Historic Gulf Coast city, Mardi Gras traditions, Southern food and maritime culture
• Popular careers: Shipping, aerospace, manufacturing, healthcare, tourism and government

3. Fayetteville, Arkansas

• Population: 107,000 estimated as of 2025 (622,000 metro)
• Climate: Humid subtropical; average temperatures range from 25 to 90 degrees, 47 inches of rain and around 7 inches of snow annually
• Notable attractions: Botanical Garden of the Ozarks, downtown Fayetteville, Lake Fayetteville and nearby Ozark trails
• Claims to fame: University of Arkansas, Ozark Mountains, outdoor recreation and growing cultural scene
• Popular careers: Education, healthcare, retail, technology and professional services

4. Little Rock, Arkansas

• Population: 203,000 (about 748,000 metro)
• Climate: Humid subtropical; average temperatures range from 31 to 92 degrees, 51 inches of rain and 4 inches of snow
• Notable attractions: Arkansas State Capitol, Little Rock Central High School National Historic Site, River Market District, Museum of Discovery
• Claims to fame: State capital, Arkansas River, civil rights history and access to nearby lakes and mountains
• Popular careers: Government, healthcare, education, finance, retail and professional services

5. Miami, Florida

• Population: 442,000 (6.4 million metro)
• Climate: Tropical; average temperatures range from 61 to 89 degrees, 59 inches of rain and no snow
• Notable attractions: South Beach, Vizcaya Museum and Gardens, Little Havana and Everglades National Park nearby
• Claims to fame: Beaches, nightlife, Latin American and Caribbean culture, art and international business
• Popular careers: Tourism, finance, international trade, healthcare, technology, real estate and professional services

6. Tampa, Florida

• Population: 413,000 estimated as of 2025 (3.2 million metro)
• Climate: Humid subtropical; average temperatures range from 52 to 90 degrees, 51 inches of rain and no snow
• Notable attractions: Busch Gardens Tampa Bay, Tampa Riverwalk, Ybor City, The Florida Aquarium
• Claims to fame: Gulf Coast beaches, waterfront lifestyle, professional sports and historic neighborhoods
• Popular careers: Healthcare, finance, tourism, technology, defense, education and professional services 

7. Atlanta, Georgia

• Population: 499,000 (6.4 million in the metro) 
• Climate: Humid subtropical, average temperatures range from 33 to 88 degrees, 52 inches of rain annually, snow accumulation of 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 
• Popular careers: Transportation, film, tech, finance and education

8. Savannah, Georgia

• Population: 150,000 estimated as of 2025 (438,000 metro)
• Climate: Humid subtropical; average temperatures range from 39 to 91 degrees, 49 inches of rain and little snow
• Notable attractions: Historic District, Forsyth Park, River Street, Bonaventure Cemetery
• Claims to fame: Historic architecture, Spanish moss, Southern food and coastal charm
• Popular careers: Tourism, healthcare, education, manufacturing, logistics

9. Lexington, Kentucky

• Population: 330,000 estimated as of 2025 (about 517,000 metro)
• Climate: Humid subtropical; average temperatures range from 24 to 86 degrees, 46 inches of rain and 10 inches of snow
• Notable attractions: Keeneland, Kentucky Horse Park, Lexington Distillery District, Ashland: The Henry Clay Estate
• Claims to fame: Horse country, bourbon, Bluegrass culture and the University of Kentucky
• Popular careers: Education, healthcare, manufacturing, technology, agriculture and professional services 

10. Louisville, Kentucky

• Population: 642,000 estimated as of 2025 (1.4 million metro)
• Climate: Humid subtropical; average temperatures range from 26 to 88 degrees, 46 inches of rain and 9 inches of snow
• Notable attractions: Churchill Downs, Louisville Slugger Museum & Factory, Kentucky Derby Museum, Waterfront Park
• Claims to fame: Kentucky Derby, bourbon, Louisville Slugger and distinctive culinary traditions
• Popular careers: Healthcare, manufacturing, logistics, finance, tourism and distribution

11. Baton Rouge, Louisiana

• Population: 227,000 (889,000 metro)
• Climate: Humid subtropical; average temperatures range from 40 to 92 degrees, 63 inches of rain and little to no snow
• Notable attractions: Louisiana State Capitol, USS Kidd, Louisiana’s Old State Capitol, Bluebonnet Swamp Nature Center
• Claims to fame: State capital, LSU, Mississippi River setting, Cajun and Creole culture and Southern food
• Popular careers: Government, education, healthcare, petrochemicals, manufacturing and professional services

12. Shreveport, Louisiana

• Population: 188,000 (547,000 metro)
• Climate: Humid subtropical; average temperatures range from 35 to 93 degrees, 52 inches of rain and 1 inch of snow
• Notable attractions: Louisiana Boardwalk, Shreveport Aquarium, Sci to Port Discovery Center, R.W. Norton Art Gallery
• Claims to fame: Red River setting, Southern food, casinos, festivals and proximity to Texas and Arkansas
• Popular careers: Healthcare, education, manufacturing, energy, government and retail

13. Biloxi, Mississippi

• Population: 49,000 (416,000 metro)
• Climate: Humid subtropical; average temperatures range from 42 to 90 degrees, 65 inches of rain and virtually no snow
• Notable attractions: Biloxi Lighthouse, Maritime & Seafood Industry Museum, Beau Rivage, Biloxi Beach
• Claims to fame: Gulf Coast beaches, seafood, casinos, fishing and Mississippi’s coastal culture
• Popular careers: Tourism, hospitality, healthcare, military, manufacturing and maritime industries 

14. Hattiesburg, Mississippi

• Population: 49,000 (173,000 metro)
• Climate: Humid subtropical; average temperatures range from 37 to 91 degrees, 60 inches of rain and little snow
• Notable attractions: Hattiesburg Pocket Museum, Longleaf Trace, African American Military History Museum, Paul B. Johnson State Park
• Claims to fame: Small to city atmosphere, Southern culture, outdoor recreation and proximity to Gulf Coast communities
• Popular careers: Healthcare, education, manufacturing, retail and professional services

15. Asheville, North Carolina

• Population: 95,000 (417,000 metro)
• Climate: Humid subtropical, average temperatures range from 25 to 84 degrees, 44 inches of rain, 10 inches of snow
• Notable attractions: Biltmore Estate, Blue Ridge Parkway, River Arts District, North Carolina Arboretum
• Claims to fame: Mountain scenery, arts and crafts, breweries, food scene and outdoor recreation
• Popular careers: Tourism, healthcare, education, manufacturing, hospitality and professional services

16. Charlotte, North Carolina

• Population: 875,000 (2.9 million metro)
• Climate: Humid subtropical; average temperatures range from 30 to 90 degrees, 43 inches of rain, 2 inches of snow annually
• Notable attractions: NASCAR Hall of Fame, U.S. National Whitewater Center, Discovery Place Science, Bank of America Stadium
• Claims to fame: Major banking center, professional sports, growing food scene and nearby outdoor recreation
• Popular careers: Finance, technology, healthcare, manufacturing, logistics and professional services

17. Raleigh, North Carolina

• Population: 468,000 (1.5 million metro)
• Climate: Humid subtropical; average temperatures range from 30 to 90 degrees, 46 inches of rain and 4 inches of snow
• Notable attractions: North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences, North Carolina Museum of Art, Pullen Park, William B. Umstead State Park
• Claims to fame: State capital, Research Triangle, universities, technology and green spaces
• Popular careers: Technology, research, healthcare, education, government and professional services

18. Oklahoma City, Oklahoma

• Population: 720,000 estimated as of 2025 (1.5 million metro)
• Climate: Humid subtropical; average temperatures range from 27 to 93 degrees, 36 inches of rain and 6 inches of snow
• Notable attractions: National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum, Myriad Botanical Gardens, Oklahoma City National Memorial & Museum
• Claims to fame: State capital, Western culture, professional sports and a revitalized downtown
• Popular careers: Energy, aerospace, healthcare, government, logistics and technology

19. Tulsa, Oklahoma

• Population: 413,000 (about 1.0 million metro)
• Climate: Humid subtropical; average temperatures range from 26 to 93 degrees, 42 inches of rain and 6 inches of snow
• Notable attractions: Gathering Place, Philbrook Museum of Art, Woody Guthrie Center, Tulsa Arts District
• Claims to fame: Art Deco architecture, arts and culture, music history and nearby outdoor recreation
• Popular careers: Energy, aerospace, healthcare, manufacturing, technology, education and professional services 

20. Charleston, South Carolina

• Population: 150,000 (849,000 metro)
• Climate: Humid subtropical; average temperatures range from 39 to 90 degrees, 48 inches of rain and little snow
• Notable attractions: Historic downtown, Fort Sumter, Waterfront Park, Charleston City Market
• Claims to fame: Historic architecture, Lowcountry cuisine, beaches and Southern charm
• Popular careers: Tourism, healthcare, aerospace, technology, manufacturing and professional services

21. Greenville, South Carolina

• Population: 71,000 (1 million metro)
• Climate: Humid subtropical; average temperatures range from 31 to 90 degrees, 51 inches of rain and 3 inches of snow
• Notable attractions: Falls Park on the Reedy, Swamp Rabbit Trail, Greenville County Museum of Art, downtown Greenville
• Claims to fame: Revitalized downtown, Blue Ridge Mountain access, food scene and outdoor recreation
• Popular careers: Manufacturing, healthcare, technology, education and professional services

22. Memphis, Tennessee

• Population: 633,000 (1.3 million metro)
• Climate: Humid subtropical; average temperatures range from 30 to 91 degrees, 54 inches of rain and 3 inches of snow
• Notable attractions: National Civil Rights Museum, Graceland, Beale Street, Memphis Zoo
• Claims to fame: Blues, soul and rock 'n' roll music, barbecue and Mississippi River culture
• Popular careers: Logistics, healthcare, manufacturing, transportation, education and tourism

23. Nashville, Tennessee

• Population: 721,000 estimated as of 2025 (2.2 million metro)
• Climate: Humid subtropical; average temperatures range from 27 to 89 degrees, 49 inches of rain and 4 inches of snow
• Notable attractions: Country Music Hall of Fame, Grand Ole Opry, Broadway, Centennial Park
• Claims to fame: Country music, live entertainment, Southern food and rapid population growth
• Popular careers: Healthcare, music and entertainment, tourism, technology, education and professional services

24. Austin, Texas

• Population: 974,000 (2.4 million 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 
• Popular careers: Technology, government, healthcare, education, entertainment and professional services

25. Fort Worth, Texas

• Population: 1 million estimated as of 2025 (8.5 million Dallas/Fort Worth metro)
• Climate: Humid subtropical; average temperatures range from 35 to 96 degrees, 37 inches of rain and 1 inch of snow
• Notable attractions: Fort Worth Stockyards, Kimbell Art Museum, Fort Worth Zoo, Sundance Square
• Claims to fame: Western heritage, stockyards, museums, professional sports and big to city amenities
• Popular careers: Aviation and aerospace, manufacturing, healthcare, logistics, finance and professional services

26. Houston, Texas

• Population: 2.3 million (7.1 million metro)
• Climate: Humid subtropical; average temperatures range from 43 to 93 degrees, 53 inches of rain and virtually no snow
• Notable attractions: Space Center Houston, Houston Museum of Natural Science, Museum of Fine Arts, Houston Zoo
• Claims to fame: Space exploration, diverse food scene, major sports teams and one of the country’s largest cities
• Popular careers: Energy, healthcare, aerospace, manufacturing, shipping, technology and international trade

27. Richmond, Virginia

• Population: 237,000 estimated as of 2025 (1.3 million metro)
• Climate: Humid subtropical; average temperatures range from 28 to 90 degrees, 44 inches of rain and 11 inches of snow
• Notable attractions: Virginia State Capitol, Virginia Museum of Fine Arts, Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden, James River
• Claims to fame: State capital, American history, James River, arts and food scene
• Popular careers: Government, healthcare, finance, education, technology and professional services

28. Virginia Beach, Virginia

• Population: 459,000 (1.8 million metro)
• Climate: Humid subtropical; average temperatures range from 32 to 88 degrees, 47 inches of rain and 6 inches of snow
• Notable attractions: Virginia Beach Oceanfront, First Landing State Park, Virginia Aquarium & Marine Science Center, Cape Henry Lighthouse
• Claims to fame: Beaches, coastal living, military presence and outdoor recreation
• Popular careers: Tourism, military and defense, healthcare, education, retail and professional services 

29. Charleston, West Virginia

• Population: 49,000 (203,000 metro)
• Climate: Humid subtropical; average temperatures range from 24 to 86 degrees, 46 inches of rain and around 28 inches of snow
• Notable attractions: West Virginia State Capitol, Clay Center, Capitol Market
• Claims to fame: State capital, Appalachian culture, mountain setting and outdoor recreation
• Popular careers: Government, healthcare, education, retail, manufacturing and professional services

30. Morgantown, West Virginia

• Population: 30,000 (140,000 metro)
• Climate: Humid continental; average temperatures range from 22 to 84 degrees, 47 inches of rain and 28 inches of snow
• Notable attractions: West Virginia University, Coopers Rock State Forest, Morgantown History Museum, Mon River Rail to Trail
• Claims to fame: College to town atmosphere, Appalachian scenery, outdoor recreation and proximity to Pittsburgh
• Popular careers: Education, healthcare, government, retail, technology and professional services 

Population data was pulled from the 2020 U.S. Census unless otherwise noted. Climate data was retrieved from bestplaces.net.

U-Pack can help you relocate to the South

When you’re ready to move to the South (or any other region), U-Pack® can help. We’re a long-distance DIY moving service available in all 50 states. Get your free quote online or call 844-362-5303844-594-3077 to speak to a moving consultant.

Which Southern city is your favorite? Let us know in the comments!