North Carolina City Makes List of Most Affordable Places to Live in 2024
Every year there are always rankings on the best cities in the country or the most dangerous cities to live in. Sometimes they even put out a list of the cities with the best restaurants in the country. Well, recently there was a list put out of the most affordable places to live in 2024 according to US News.
The list is comprised of the top 25 cheapest places to live and a city in North Carolina made the top ten. It may not be a city that you would think or if you’re from North Carolina you may know this city being on the list may not shock you. Hickory, North Carolina was listed as the sixth-ranked cheapest city to live in in 2024.
The Hickory Lenoir Morgantown area, often known as Catawba Valley, is home to a lot of retirees and families and is rapidly becoming a place for young professionals to reside because of its moderate climate and amazing mountain views. The reason this region is growing is because of its close proximity to Charlotte which is only an hour away from North and Asheville which is an hour away to the west. The region also has strong artistic roots. Sculptures from local and regional artists abound, and art galleries are scattered throughout the area.
Here is the list of the top 10 cheapest cities to live in the US
- Ft. Wayne, IN
- Huntsville, AL
- Wichita, KS
- Springfield, MO
- Davenport, IA
- Hickory, NC
- Montgomery, AL
- Green Bay, WI
- Little Rock, AR
- Oklahoma City, OK
This North Carolina City Is The 4th Most Educated In The Country
8. Hickory
Ranking 8th amongst North Carolina cities and 144th overall is Hickory. Despite flying under the radar on this study many consider Hickory a beautiful and affordable place to live!
Total Score: 26.91
Educational Rank: 141
Quality of Education & Attainment Rank: 140
7. Winston Salem
Ranking 113th overall is Winston-Salem. Which is home to Wake Forest University a prestigious private institution. So this ranking is a little surprising to me. I guess many graduates are not staying in the area post-grad!
Total Score: 45.56
Educational Rank: 119
Quality of Education & Attainment Rank: 39
6. Fayetteville
Yay Fayetteville! The city beat out two other NC cities and ranked 6th in the state and 106th overall. And that quality of education and attainment rank is in the top 10!
Total Score: 47.95
Educational Rank: 118
Quality of Education & Attainment Rank: 9
5. Greensboro
Greensboro marks the 4th NC city to rank in the 100s of this study. They came in at 101. Don’t worry it goes up from here (way up!)
Total Score: 48.90
Educational Rank: 108
Quality of Education & Attainment Rank: 35
4. Charlotte
Are you shocked the largest city in the state is only 4th in this study? Perhaps it’s due to the expansive population. Or more likely the plethora of nearby universities surrounding the top 2 cities. But ranking 45th overall and 4th in the state feels like Charlotte may be underachieving.
Total Score: 60.42
Educational Rank: 56
Quality of Education & Attainment Rank: 23
3. Asheville
In some ways, this shocks me. But then I remember how expensive it is to live in Asheville and it makes more sense!
Total Score: 63.31
Educational Rank: 35
Quality of Education & Attainment Rank: 46
2. Raleigh
And second in the state 9th overall is a city near and dear to my heart. And one home to my alma mater- Raleigh. So that does give me a sense of pride!
Total Score: 79.56
Educational Rank: 5
Quality of Education & Attainment Rank: 30
1. Durham
And the highest-ranking NC city and 4th in the country? Durham home to Duke University.
Total Score: 81.32
Educational Rank: 8
Quality of Education & Attainment Rank: 1
