Best places to live: See where Greenville, Spartanburg rank on U.S. News most desirable list (2024)

Greenville and Spartanburg were among five South Carolina cities mentioned in U.S. News & World Report's 2023-24 list of the 150"Best Places to Live in the U.S.," released Tuesday.

The report analyzed 150 metro areas in the United States to find the best places to live based on quality of life and the job market in each metro area, as well as the value of living there and people's desire to live there.

Among the 150 US metros, Greenville ranked 31st on the list while Spartanburg was 43rd.

Other highlights:

• Greenville is the second-best place to live in SC. In the US stats, Greenville ranks 12th in cheapest places to live, 23rd in fastest-growing places, 23rd in most dangerous places and 67nd in best places to retire.
• Spartanburg is the third-best place to live in SC. In the US stats, Spartanburg ranks 11th in cheapest places to live, 12th in fastest-growing places and 68th in best places to retire.
• Myrtle Beach ranks as the top place to live in SC and the 18th best place to live in the US.
• Charleston ranks as the 53rd best place to live in the US (No. 4 in SC) and Columbia ranks 92nd (No. 5 in SC).
• Charlotte, NC is the No. 8 best place to live in the US.
• Asheville, NC is the 29th best place to live in the US.

18. Myrtle Beach: Golfer's paradise, retirement destination

Year after year, Myrtle Beach brings in tourists from all around the world, the magazine said. Outsiders know the city for its sprawling boardwalk and beaches, but its No. 28 ranking in best places to retire prove that it is also a great place to live. Young professionals, growing families and empty nesters will relish the city's warm weather and relatively low cost of living. Nature lovers will find that there is always somewhere new for their hiking boots to explore, like hiking at Huntington State Park or strolling the 60 miles of shoreline that run along the Grand Strand. Myrtle Beach is also home to 90 golf courses, making it the perfect vacation getaway for those looking to score a hole in one after a long week at the office.

31. Greenville: Vibrant downtown, arts and athletics

Nestled in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains, the city, once the "textile capital of the world", has transformed into the Upstate's cultural and entertainment center, the magazine said. Its award-winning downtown is expanding with projects like the $1 billion County Square redevelopment and luxury McDaniel townhomes development. The city has many sports fans who proudly display their athletic spirit for Clemson University's Clemson Tigers and Greenville's Minor League baseball team, the Greenville Drive, who can be found swinging away at Fluor Field. Events like the three-day Artisphere, which has gained national attention, embrace talented artists and musicians, both local and from around the world, who keep the downtown scene bursting with color and sound.

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43. Spartanburg: The Hub City of international business

Spartanburg was once a major railroad intersection in the 19th century known as the "Hub City," its rich history predating the Revolutionary War, the magazine said. The city is now known for having a diverse collection of international companies like its full-time North American BMW plant. Downtown, it is hard to miss the Denny's restaurant chain headquarters, a tall building that sticks out off of East Main Street. It is also not uncommon to find locals dining with their pets at restaurant patios in the pet-friendly downtown. Institutions of higher learning and a burgeoning food scene keep locals busy with things to do.

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53. Charleston: Charming architecture, fine cuisine

The magazine said, no one does southern hospitality like the Holy City. Its culinary scene lures food lovers from all around with its seafood and lowcountry cooking. Southern style clothing is featured through the fronts of boutique shops lining King Street, America's most distinctive downtown. History is preserved through cobblestone walkways, Spanish moss hanging from oak trees and spooky ghost legends that raise goosebumps on the arms. The city's summers are hot and humid, but locals use days like these to soak in the sun on the beach.

92. Columbia: Capital city features Gameco*cks' sports, family fun

Residents of South Carolina's capital will find that there is plenty to do in the city, the magazine said. Columbia has a variety of music and art galleries around town, such as the Koger Center for the Arts and Township Auditorium. Home to the University of South Carolina, many residents bond over their love of USC sports, especially the Gameco*cks football team. Parents also know that there is an abundance of places to bring children, like the EdVenture's Children Museum where kids can engage in scientific and technological learning activities, and the Columbia Museum of Art which contains an observatory, planetarium and 4-D theater. Traffic is relatively mild in the city, but don't be fooled ― Columbia is South Carolina's second most populous city.

Nina Tran covers trending topics for the Greenville News. Reach her via email at ntran@gannett.com.