10 Best Places To Call Home In The Southern United States In 2026
Across the Southern United States, smaller cities and towns are attracting first-time buyers, remote workers, and families seeking home values below the national average. While affordability is naturally top of mind, these ten towns also boast a range of services, amenities, and attractions that add significant value. In Natchez, Mississippi, the average home value is just over $122,000, and the Shift South program offers remote workers up to $6,000 toward relocation. Staunton, Virginia, puts you in the Shenandoah Valley between the Blue Ridge and Allegheny Mountains for outdoor recreation, with home values about $100,000 below the state average. Paducah, Kentucky, is a UNESCO Creative City of Crafts and Folk Art, where the National Quilt Museum runs workshops and the local performing arts center stages productions year-round. Read on to discover the ten best places to call home in the Southern United States in 2026.
Nacogdoches, TX
Nacogdoches sits about 100 miles west and is also the oldest town in Texas. Stephen F. Austin State University draws students who want small class sizes and ranks third in the state for graduates who secure employment or pursue higher education within a year of graduation. Unsurprisingly, Educational Services is one of the city's leading industries, followed by Health Care & Social Assistance. Proximity to the university also means access to college sports like football, baseball, and basketball. Woodland Hills Golf Club is also in town, offering a scenic 18-hole course. The community often gathers at local places like the Fredonia Brewery for live music and drinks in the beer garden, while food trucks park outside, with a rotating calendar of cuisines. The average home value here is below the state average at about $223,000.
Florence, AL
As one of the most biodiverse states in the country, Alabama offers plenty of opportunities to get lost in nature, and Florence is no exception. The Tennessee River runs right through town. Locals can walk alongside this winding river on the 1.2-mile River Heritage Trail. Shoal Creek Preserve sprawls with bluffs, creeks, waterfalls, and nearly 5 miles of trails.
Downtown Florence buzzes with a different kind of energy. Live music blares from places like the Lava Room and Swampers, which is situated in the Renaissance Shoals Resort & Spa and serves comfort food off the grill. Fun is easy to find, but Florence is also practical. The cost of living here is 20% below the national average, and the average home value is also below Alabama's state average at about $219,000.
Natchitoches, LA
Louisiana's oldest settlement has long been a cultural hub, with a mix of French, Native American, and Spanish influences. These multicultural origins show themselves in the architecture and the food, in places such as the French Market Express and Puerto Rico on the Bayou. The Historic Riverfront winds through this historic city's downtown core, where paved pathways line the water. Beau Jardin adds stone waterfalls and colorful flowerbeds, with plenty of shaded places to rest or walk. Natchitoches is also a college town, home to Northwestern State University. The university has one of the best nurse practitioner programs, with a very high job placement rate post-graduation. As for affordability, the average home value in Natchitoches is about $193,000, with a median rent of about $750 a month.
Paducah, KY
As a UNESCO Creative City of Crafts and Folk Art, Paducah is a haven for craft enthusiasts. For residents, this means unique exposure to the world of quilt-making in places like the National Quilt Museum. Along with showcasing artistic quilts, the space hosts recurring workshops that teach the basics and various styles, such as Moroccan Mosaics. The Market House Theater and Carson Center for Performing Arts are also prominent cultural venues in town that host ballets, plays, and live music.
The Remote Worker Incentive helps new residents settle into town with a $5,000 grant. Grant recipients also get discounts to local universities, entertainment venues, and the art centers that the town is best known for. Even without the grant, living here is relatively affordable. Grocery prices are about 6% lower than the national average, and the average home value is far below the national average at about $190,460.
Staunton, VA
With average home values about $100,000 below the state average, Staunton's culture and natural attributes remain obtainable compared to many towns in Virginia, where the average home value is about $418,375. Staunton is in the Shenandoah Valley, and only about 20 miles from Shenandoah National Park, giving locals easy access to the Blue Ridge Mountains. The town itself is actually set between two mountain ranges, the Blue Ridge and Allegheny Mountains. The downtown district has over 100 unique shops, eateries, and galleries, as well as multiple bed-and-breakfasts for "staycations" in a historic, restored building.
Seeing a show at the American Shakespeare Center transports audiences back to the famous playwright's era, with plays performed as they were originally meant to be. The audience shares light with the stage and encourages audience interaction in the first-ever recreation of a Shakespearean indoor stage. Since the company performs more than five shows each year, local theater fans have plenty of entertainment options. There are also costumed actors sharing the history of Shenandoah Valley at the Frontier Culture Museum. The living museum preserves the history of early settlers of this land, an interesting parallel to the surrounding neighborhoods and culture centers throughout the town now.
New Bern, NC
New Bern is right at the confluence of the Neuse and Trent Rivers. A home here has an average value of about $285,000, notably lower than the state average of about $339,000. The rivers are part of everyday life for residents who like to fish on the Riverwalk Fishing Pier, kayak, boat from Lawson Creek, or swim without ever leaving town. The Downtown Local Historic District and Riverside Local Historic District are adjacent to the river, with houses from many different styles and eras. Victorian mansions, Georgian homes, bungalows, and Greek Revival buildings line the streets. Downtown New Bern is intentionally walkable. Free two-hour parking makes the district open to drivers as well, but downtown's compact layout is very pedestrian-friendly, and the slower pace pairs well with the river views that seem to be at every turn in this town.
Aiken, SC
Only about half an hour from Augusta, Georgia, Aiken feels specifically tailored for equestrian fans. Polo matches are a defining part of weekends here, when families and sports fans gather at the Aiken Polo Club to watch the game and enjoy vendor food and beverages. One of the largest horse rescues in the southeastern United States is also in town. Aiken Equine Rescue runs interactive horse-and-human programs designed to be healing for its rescued horses (often off-the-track racehorses) and community members. Residents also get access to one of the largest urban forests in the country, Hitchcock Woods, a vast and peaceful wilderness. The average home value here is about $280,000, just below the state average.
Rome, GA
As the largest city in Northwest Georgia, Rome is a dense suburb and college town. Berry College sits on a large campus that borders the town. This proximity drives local economic activity, creating demand for restaurants and entertainment and strengthening the sense of community. Many students like Floyd Bowling and Amusement, as well as the Hot Wheels Skating Center, places that feel nostalgic and fun. There are also multiple options for golf, like the West Rome Golf Center or, if you just want to practice your drive, the Etowah Park Driving Range. Since there are many students in this town, many residents rent their homes, with a median cost of just over $1,000 a month. Prospective homeowners can still find a good deal here, as the average home value is about $100,000 below the state median of $234,000.
Russellville, AR
Russellville is between the Ozark Mountains to the north and the Ouachita Mountains to the south, making it great for nature lovers, including hikers and mountain bikers. The Bona Dea Trails and Sanctuary is a local favorite. The 186-acre expanse of wetlands and wilderness features about 6 miles of trails. There are also many trails throughout the town, between schools, parks, and neighborhoods. The Russellville Park System Master Plan connects many of the town's facilities through bike and pedestrian pathways, creating a walkable community. The program started over 20 years ago and continues to expand today. Arkansas Tech University's student population also supports Russellville's diverse and vibrant social calendar. The average home value is just under the state average at about $217,000, making this an affordable option with wide-ranging appeal.
Natchez, MS
With a temperature range of 77 high / 54 low, Natchez is comfortable year-round and has an average home value of about $122,000. This is well under the state average of about $197,000. The cost of living is also 22% below the national average and 7% below the state average. While homes and lifestyles here remain relatively affordable, there is an incentive program for prospective residents. Shift South encourages remote workers to relocate to Natchez, offering up to $6,000 to help cover relocation expenses to grow the community.
The town sits on a bluff overlooking the Mississippi River, so even simple walks have beautiful views. The Bridge of Sighs is one of the best of these river views. The pedestrian footbridge is part of the 5.6-mile Walk Natchez public trail system, still being developed, that will connect this bluff to downtown. There are community gathering spaces right by the bridge, such as Bowie's Tavern, set in a 1840's cotton warehouse.
Finding Your Place In The American South
If you're house-hunting in the South, you don't have to choose between what you can afford and where you actually want to live. From the quilt museum of Paducah to the polo fields and urban forest of Aiken, these ten cities and towns pair home values below their state averages with universities, walkable downtowns, and relocation cash. Whether you're drawn to mountain air, river views, or simply a lower cost of living, the Southern United States has a place that fits.
