The federal government of the United States defines the southern states as comprising 17 states. People migrate from the north to the south to escape the cold because of the warmer climate and the abundance of beach destinations there. The southern states of America are a popular place for people to travel to and reside, with everything from the greatest beach towns in South Carolina for sunbathing to amazing weekend escapes in Texas.
In contrast, for the former, choosing to relocate and live anywhere involves determining whether a number of criteria—such as affordability, access to a variety of lifestyle amenities, and social life—are satisfied. The cost of living in each community was determined by comparing it to the average national living cost index to create this list of reasonably priced small towns in the South.
Summary:
- Flatonia, Texas is a charming little town with a lower cost of living, historic sites, and a Czech heritage.
- South Carolina’s Murrells Inlet is a popular winter vacation spot with a bustling boardwalk, festive light displays, and easy access to Myrtle Beach.
- Magnolia Springs, Alabama: A quaint town with access to natural areas and lovely trees located along the Magnolia River close to Gulf Shores.
10.Flatonia, Texas
- Cost of Living: 94.8 versus 100 (Average for the Nation).
- 1,372 people in the population.
- Home Cost Median: $385,800 versus the national average of $338,100.
- Crime Rate: Much lower than the country as a whole.
- Nearby Attractions: The E. A. Arnim Museum and Archives.
The small town of Flatonia is easily accessible from I-10 and is strategically positioned nearly equidistant from the three largest Texas cities, Houston, Austin, and San Antonio.
A popular and picturesque location for train enthusiasts, Flatonia is home to one of Texas’ oldest manually operated railroad switching towers with east-west and north-south cross rails. The tower is now located on South Main and is open for tours by appointment through the Chamber of Commerce.
Many people who live in Flatonia are of German, Slovak, Czech, or other Central European descent. Named after the Czech people and their renowned chili, the annual “Czhilispiel” festival takes place here. Antique clothing, furnishings, and historical records can be found in the E. A. Arnim Archives and Museum collection.
9.Murrells Inlet, South Carolina
- Living Expense: 94.7 versus the national average of 100.
- 9,695 people live there.
- Home Cost Median: $364,800 versus the national average of $338,100.
- Crime Rate: Greater than the country as a whole.
- Nearby Attractions: Wonderland of Lights, Myrtle Beach (13 miles).
Murrells Inlet, South Carolina’s ideal winter town for living or visiting, is only 13 miles south of Myrtle Beach. Originally mostly a fishing village, it has grown in popularity as a tourist destination in recent years. MarshWalk, a half-mile wooden boardwalk with live music, water sports, sightseeing tours, and waterfront dining, is one of Murrells Inlet’s top attractions.
November and December are the town’s winter months when MarshWalk’s Wonderland of Lights Celebration takes place. There are thousands of lights in this amazing walk-through experience that are synchronized to festive music. At the end of the pier is a 40-foot LED Christmas tree that makes the ideal background for festive pictures. One of South Carolina’s undiscovered beauties, Murrells Inlet ought to be at the top of any winter traveler’s wish list.
8.Magnolia Springs, Alabama
- Living Expense: 94.5 versus the national average of 100.
- Population: 840; Median House Cost: $227,700 as opposed to the national average of $338,100.
- Crime Rate: In line with the country as a whole.
- Nearby Attractions: Gulf State Park and the historic Magnolia Springs Bed & Breakfast.
Magnolia Springs, South Alabama, is a charming town with a rich history that dates back to 1800. It is located along the enchanting Magnolia River. This quaint town, deemed the prettiest in Alabama by some, blends Southern friendliness with a distinctive river route for mail delivery. In Magnolia Springs, Alabama, Oak Street meanders through a magnificent tree tunnel. It really is amazing and definitely must be seen.
Magnolia Springs is close to the vast natural areas of Gulf Shores. Hugh S. Branyon Backcountry Trail (15 miles) in Gulf State Park leads through freshwater marshes and coastal hardwood swamps. Naturally, those who want to live near beaches will love Magnolia Springs; both Gulf State Park and Orange Beach’s white sand beaches are just a short drive away.
7.Dundee, Florida
- Cost of Living: 91.6 versus 100 (Average for the Nation).
- Population: 6,736; Median House Cost: $275,100 as opposed to the national average of $338,100.
- Crime Rate: In line with the country as a whole.
- The Margaret Kampsen Historic Depot and the Davidson of Dundee Citrus and Candy Factory are two nearby attractions.
Situated on the undulating hills of the Lake Wales Ridge, the town of Dundee was established on the prosperity of Florida’s citrus industry. Polk County is one of the state’s primary citrus producing regions.
Featuring original architecture, homes, and historical artifacts, the Margaret Kampsen Historic Depot was the first on the Atlantic Coast Line Railroad’s Haines City to Sebring line. At the Depot, guests can explore a real 1968 caboose.
Numerous small lakes dot the Dundee region, contributing to its overall scenic appeal and abundance of water-based activities. There’s a candy factory in Dundee that’s so unusual it was highlighted on Food Network.
In addition, the town appeals to those on a tight budget because its median home price and cost of living are both less than the national average.
6.Dillard, Georgia
- Living Expense: 89.4 versus the national average of 100
- 347 people in total
- Comparing the national average of $338,100 to the median home cost of $304,400
- Ellicott Rock Wilderness Area and Becky Branch Falls are two nearby attractions.
Less than a hundred miles separate the small Georgian town of Dillard from Atlanta, Greenville, and Asheville. In addition to 148,000 acres of National Forest and state parks like Tallulah Gorge State Park and Black Rock Mountain State Park, it serves as the entrance to the Great Smoky Mountains.
Situated just south of the North Carolina border in the Little Tennessee River Valley, the town is encircled by the breathtaking Blue Ridge Mountains. Dillard’s downtown is just 3 ½ miles away from Black Rock Mountain State Park, and it only takes 15 minutes to drive to reach the Appalachian Trail. The town is a nature lover’s paradise because of its closeness to the Blue Ridge Mountains, which offers breathtaking views, hiking trails, and outdoor activities.
Beyond Dillard’s picturesque surroundings, the Blue Ridge Mountains offer a plethora of other reasonably priced towns that are worth moving to or retiring to.
5.Salado, Texas
- Living Expense: 83.7 versus the national average of 100
- Population: 2,403; National average: $338,100; Median Home Cost: $463,700
- Crime Rate: Much lower than the country as a whole
- Chalkridge Falls Park, Buttermilk Creek Complex, and Salado Creek are some of the nearby attractions.
Situated approximately 50 miles to the north of Austin, sleepy Salado is one of the many picturesque, yet reasonably priced, small towns in the South to call home. It is well-known for its quaint streets lined with shops and eateries, among them the historic Stagecoach Inn, which dates back to the middle of the 1800s. In Salado, archeological findings have also revealed evidence of a paleolithic Native American settlement that dates to approximately 15,500 years ago.
With 2,000 acres of surrounding natural beauty and plenty of opportunities for picnicking, hiking, and fishing, it’s an underappreciated but welcoming and energetic place that attracts both locals and tourists. Although the average cost of a home in this small town is slightly higher than the national average, overall living expenses are significantly lower.
4.Zwolle, Louisiana
- Living Expense: 81.3 versus the national average of 100
- Population: 1,617; Median House Cost: $160,200 as opposed to the national average of $338,100.
- Crime Rate: Not as high as the country as a whole
- Nearby Attractions: State Park North Toledo Bend
Zwolle is a tiny town in Louisiana’s Toledo Bend Lake region. The local culture is a reflection of the early influences of African-American, French, Spanish, and Native American settlers.
Zwolle, pronounced “Zwa’-lee,” is home to three annual festivals that are not to be missed: the Zwolle Tamale Fiesta, which is held on the second weekend in October and is the town’s signature event; the Choctaw-Apache Powwow, which takes place on the last weekend in April; and the Zwolle Loggers and Forestry Festival, which takes place on the second weekend in May.
Toledo Bend, which spans 186,000 acres and offers hiking, boating, birdwatching, fishing, and outdoor activities, is located nearby.
All things considered, being a resident of Zwolle is a genuinely unique experience. With a population of little over 1,600, it is a small town with lots of charm and character. Home prices and the cost of living index are also much lower than the national average.
3.Norwood, North Carolina
- Living Expense: 81.1 versus the national average of 100
- 2,498 people live there.
- Home Cost Median: $227,900 versus the national average of $338,100
- Crime Rate: Not as high as the country as a whole.
- Nearby Attractions: Lake Tillery, Fork Farm and Stables
Bounded by Lake Tillery and the forks of the Pee Dee and Rocky Rivers, Norwood, North Carolina, is another reasonably priced small Southern town to call home. It is tucked away in the peaceful rolling hills of Stanly County.
Norwood offers something for everyone, from the bustling Main Street shops to the bucolic Fork Stables and Lucky Clays Farm. In and around Norwood, there is nearly a hundred miles of picturesque Lake Tillery shoreline that is perfect for fishing, water sports, and leisure activities.
Norwood provides a special blend of rural and urban living, especially considering its close proximity to larger cities like Raleigh, Charlotte, and so on.
The town offers plenty of convenient local dining and shopping options in addition to lovely parks and trails for taking in the scenery.
The town is even more of a desirable place to live because of its lower-than-average median home cost and lower cost of living overall. Like Norwood, there are a lot of charming but underappreciated towns in North Carolina that make excellent substitutes for larger cities like Charlotte.
2.Chatham, Virginia
- Living Expense: 79.2 versus the national average of 100
- 1,164 people in the population
- $139,000 is the median home cost, while the national average is $338,100.
- Crime Rate: Exceptionally low in comparison to the US
- White Oak Mountain Trail and the Simpson Funeral Museum are two nearby attractions.
The historic town of Chatham in Virginia, which is well-known for its exquisite homes and well-kept lawns, offers a compelling blend of contemporary comforts, an active lifestyle, and a touch of the past. It is the location of the county’s oldest continuously occupied structure, an 18th-century tavern. The town was renamed Chatham in 1852 from its original name, Competition.
Since the end of World War II, Chatham has changed very little and has continued to be the hub of government for the surrounding rural area. The surrounding countryside also offers a plethora of outdoor activities, such as serene riverside views and hiking trails.
Chatham is an affordable place to live because, when compared to other parts of the state, its cost of living is comparatively low. The town’s median house price is also significantly less than the national average for the US.
1.Tiptonville, Tennessee
- Living Expense: 65.6 versus the national average of 100
- Population: 4,190; Median House Cost: $98,300 as opposed to the national average of $338,100.
- Crime Rate: Much lower than the country as a whole
- Reelfoot Lake State Park and the Battle of Island No. 10 Monument are two nearby attractions.
Tennessee’s rolling hills and picturesque landscapes are home to the small town of Tiptonville. It is situated in a picturesque area between Reelfoot Lake State Park and the Mississippi River’s bends.
Since its founding in the early 1800s, Tiptonville has had a rich and varied history. At the close of the American Civil War’s Battle of Island Number Ten in 1862, it was the site of the Confederate forces’ surrender. The town’s culture and legacy have been shaped by important historical occurrences.
There’s a flooded forest and a major attraction at Reelfoot Lake outside of Tiptonville. Submerged Cypress stumps can be found beneath the water’s surface, in contrast to majestic Cypress trees that tower over it.
This town is perhaps the most affordable small town in the South to live in because of its extremely low median home cost and low cost of living index when compared to the national average.