Best Affordable Suburbs In The Carolinas

As I talk to and survey my subscribers, one of their main concerns is finding an affordable place to relocate or retire to in North Carolina or South Carolina.

Affordability takes into account not only the price of housing, but taxes, cost of living, and family income. When you compare two areas with the same median housing prices, but different family incomes, the one with the higher family income level will be considered more affordable.

Business Week magazine just completed their study of "The Best Affordable Suburbs 2009".

They picked only one "suburb" in each state. The suburbs considered were limited to towns within 25 miles of the most populated city in the state. A variety of other factors were included such as livability, education, crime, and the local economy.

These areas are by no means the only "best places" to relocate or retire to in North Carolina and South Carolina!

In North Carolina, Cornelius was picked as the Best Suburb. Cornelius is located just outside Charlotte. It has a population of about 18,000, and a median household income of $87,000/year. The median home price is approximately $210,000. The unemployment rate is pretty low at 3.3%, and the crime rate is half the national average.

In South Carolina, Fort Mill was picked which surprised me because it too is outside Charlotte NC, and was supposed to be a suburb outside the most populated city in South Carolina not North Carolina, so I will give you my South Carolina picks below, but let me first tell you about Fort Mill, because although it too is outside Charlotte, it's an area really worth your consideration!

Fort Mill is right near Rock Hill. It has a population of about 10,000, and a median household income of $58,000/year. The median home price is approximately $180,000. The unemployment rate is around 6%, and the crime rate is just below the national average. Here you have the advantage of living outside Charlotte, but you're able to take advantage of the lower costs of South Carolina!

In South Carolina, I would have picked Sumter outside Columbia South Carolina, and Summerville outside Charleston South Carolina.

Take a look at my Articles on this site. Under Best Places in NC and Best Places in SC, we are always adding new towns I feel you need to know about.