Greenville ranks No. 4 on the list of America’s top 150 places to live.
The decision is based on U.S. News & World Report’s 2025-2026 overview, which evaluates 150 major cities in terms of attractiveness, job market, and quality of life.
For No. 4, Greenville surpassed Charlotte, North Carolina, and followed just behind Colorado Springs.
Here’s why Greenville is one of the best places to live in the country.
Quick stats for Greenville, according to U.S. News & World Report
∎ Urban population: 77,387 people
∎ Median home price: $393,809
∎ Median monthly rent: $1,193
∎ Median age: 37 years old
∎ Median household income: $76,193
∎ Unemployment rate: 3.84%
∎ Average commuting time: 24 minutes
∎ Average maximum temperature: 76 degrees
∎ Average minimum temperature: 53 degrees
Why is Greenville one of the top five places to live?
Once the textile capital of the world, Greenville has become a household name in recent years for a variety of reasons. The city’s idyllic location in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains is one of the factors often discussed when considering where to live from an aesthetic standpoint. More than meets the eye, U.S. News & World Report attributes the city’s rise in popularity to “big-city amenities without the nasties associated with populous metropolitan areas.” This is a downtown experience where locals and tourists alike flock to Main Street’s many boutiques, restaurants, businesses, and bars, not to mention the city’s “crowning jewel,” Reedy’s Falls Park. can. Finally, those seeking a high quality of life with a low cost of living can find it in Greenville, which enjoys mild temperatures year-round.
Where is the best place to live in South Carolina in our report?
∎ 1st place: Greenville
∎ 2nd place: Charleston
∎ 3rd place: Myrtle Beach
∎ 4th place: Spartanburg
∎ 5th place: Colombia
Top 10 Best Places to Live in the United States in 2025-2026, according to US News & World Report
∎ 1st Place: Naples, Florida
∎ 2nd place: Boise, Idaho
∎ 3rd Place: Colorado Springs, Colorado
∎ 4th place: Greenville
∎ 5th place: Charlotte, North Carolina
∎ 6th place: Raleigh, North Carolina
∎ 7th place: Hunstville, Alabama
∎ No. 8: Virginia Beach, Virginia
∎ No. 9: Austin, Texas
∎ No. 10: Boulder, Colorado
Nina Tran covers trending topics for The Greenville News. Email ntran@gannett.com.
