As the cost of living increases, many people may be considering packing up and moving somewhere that is less expensive.
Some people may not want to sacrifice certain comforts of living for the sake of lower costs.
In order to figure out which places in the South offer opportunities for economic prosperity, while providing favorable conditions and comforts, Travel + Leisure has compiled a list of the 10 best cities to live in.
Lafayette, Louisiana named one of the best places to live in the South by Travel + Leisure
The city of Lafayette was listed as one of the 10 best places to live in the South by Travel + Leisure, as the area is said to have favorable living conditions, recreational activities and housing opportunities.
Often considered the hub of Acadiana, Lafayette is full of life and culture, with excellent food, substantial nightlife and an exciting music scene.
In Lafayette, the average home value is around $219,000 and the average rent is approximately $1,084, according to Travel + Leisure.
More than affordable housing opportunities, Lafayette offers a lower value of living than similarly sized cities when comparing housing costs to median household income, with the median household income being $59,469, says U.S. News & World Report.
Additionally, Lafayette’s job market is better than the national average, with the unemployment rate lower than the national average of 4.5%, according to U.S. News & World Report.
As for Lafayette’s demographics, there are approximately 125,854 residents and, of that population, 24% are under the age of 20, 15% are between 25 and 34 years old, 13% are between 35 and 44, 23% are between 45 and 65, with about 18% being over the age of 65, says U.S. News & World Report.
The 10 best places to live in the South according to Travel + Leisure
- Charleston, South Carolina
- Virginia’s Shenandoah Valley
- Charlotte, North Carolina
- Lafayette, Louisiana
- Dallas, Texas
- Myrtle Beach, South Carolina
- Franklin, Tennessee
- Richmond, Virginia
- Chattanooga, Tennessee
- Huntsville, Alabama
Presley Bo Tyler is a reporter for the Louisiana Deep South Connect Team for Gannett/USA Today. Find her on X @PresleyTyler02 and email at PTyler@Gannett.com
