These three cities in the southern USA were chosen for two very important reasons: the cost of living is low, but the quality of life is high. What more can a person ask for when choosing a place to live?

These cities would be excellent choices for both families starting out with young children and people looking for a place to retire. The truth is, these are excellent cities to call home, period. Unless of course, you hate heat or humidity. These cities are in the south, after all. The cities are listed in alphabetical order.

First on the list of best cities to live in the southern USA is Asheville, North Carolina. Asheville has been chosen as a best city to live by many magazines, books, and websites. There is a reason for Asheville's popularity. The population of Asheville isn't large, only about 70,000 people. Yet Asheville, NC offers an abundance of recreation and educational opportunities.

The price of homes in Asheville, NC is much lower than the national average- below $200,000. The median household income is also lower, but so is the cost of living. The unemployment rate for the city of Asheville is about average for the nation.

There are so many reasons Asheville is a popular city to live. It is nestled in the heart of the beautiful Blue Ridge Mountains, which is some of the prettiest scenery in the United States. Just stepping out onto your front porch is an experience in itself.

The culture in Asheville is in line with much larger cities. There is an active community of artists. Lots of events such as concerts, sports and exhibits occur frequently at the local University of North Carolina at Asheville, a 4 year institution. Plenty of hiking trails, parks, and campgrounds surround the city for recreational opportunities.

Austin, Texas is next on the list of best places to live in the southern USA. Austin has a population of about 700,000 people. The median household income is about average. The financial factors that make Austin enticing are many. The price of homes in Austin is lower than the national average, as well as the cost of living in general. Unemployment rates in Austin are lower than the national average. As a matter of fact, estimates of future job growth for the city of Austin are very bright, way above the national norms.

There are several other reasons to live in Austin, Texas. Austin has a greater number of people with higher education degrees than in many regions. The largest college in the United States is located in Austin. This provides many opportunities for taking college level classes, as well as attending college sports events and other college-related activities.

The nightlife in Austin is fantastic. The music can be compared to cities like Memphis or Nashville. There are five star restaurants, fun local pubs, and an eclectic mix of cultures.

Fayetteville, Arkansas is another southern city worth considering as your hometown. The population is less than 100,000 people so it retains a small town feel. The price of homes and median household incomes in Fayetteville are lower than across most of the United States. But the cost of living in Fayetteville is also considerably lower, more than 10% lower than national levels. Unemployment rates in Fayetteville are also much lower than in the rest of the nation. On top of that, estimated job growth for Fayetteville is much higher than expected for other US cities.