a landable guide
The Southeast is the most active domestic-migration destination in the country. These are the cities making that case most convincingly.
By Karol Gajda
The Southeast has absorbed more domestic migrants than any other region over the past decade. Low taxes, warm weather, and relative affordability are the drivers, and the cities on this list are the ones where all three hold up at once.
Covering Georgia to the Carolinas down through Florida, ranked by a balanced Landable composite with no rent cap, this is the honest ranking of where Southeast life works best for the money.
01
Photo by Alex Borelli on Pexels
SC · 975k metro
Greenville tops the Southeast: $1,551 median rent, 202 pleasant days, and a metro of 975k with the scene to match.
$1,551
median rent / month
202
pleasant days a year
975k
metro residents
02
AL · 412k metro
Mobile lands second with 225 pleasant days and $1,302 rent. The migration numbers point here for good reason.
$1,302
median rent / month
225
pleasant days a year
412k
metro residents
03
Photo by Rolando Yera on Unsplash
FL · 6.2M metro
Miami takes third: $2,665 a month, 272 pleasant days, and a Walk Score of 97.
$2,665
median rent / month
272
pleasant days a year
6.2M
metro residents
04
Photo by Jenny Gregg on Pexels
SC · 383k metro
Spartanburg pairs $1,434 rent with 191 pleasant days and a metro of 383k. Warm, affordable, and growing.
$1,434
median rent / month
191
pleasant days a year
383k
metro residents
05
Photo by Trent Palmer on Unsplash
SC · 849k metro
Charleston earns its spot on balance: $1,987 median rent, 212 pleasant days, metro of 849k.
$1,987
median rent / month
212
pleasant days a year
849k
metro residents
06
Photo by Barry Love on Unsplash
NC · 417k metro
Asheville is the mid-list Southeast pick that holds up: $1,738 rent, 201 pleasant days, Walk Score 63.
$1,738
median rent / month
201
pleasant days a year
417k
metro residents
07
Photo by Jeffrey Eisen on Pexels
FL · 262k metro
Sarasota clears the bar with 249 pleasant days, $2,121 median rent, and a metro of 262k.
$2,121
median rent / month
249
pleasant days a year
262k
metro residents
08
Photo by Kevin Dunlap on Unsplash
FL · 530k metro
Pensacola keeps the Southeast case strong: $1,752 a month for 226 pleasant days.
$1,752
median rent / month
226
pleasant days a year
530k
metro residents
09
Photo by Mark Stebnicki on Pexels
NC · 370k metro
Hickory lands near the bottom of the ten and still earns it: $1,434 rent, 189 pleasant days, Walk Score 70.
$1,434
median rent / month
189
pleasant days a year
370k
metro residents
10
Photo by High Tide Content on Unsplash
SC · 397k metro
Myrtle Beach rounds out the Southeast: $1,727 median rent, 249 pleasant days, metro of 397k.
$1,727
median rent / month
249
pleasant days a year
397k
metro residents
We rank by 30% affordability, 25% weather, 20% things to do, 15% parks, and 10% walkability across Southeast states (GA, AL, MS, TN, KY, SC, NC, FL). The weather score penalizes extreme heat.
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