2 North Carolina Cities Among 'Most Beautiful & Affordable' Places To Live

You don't have to break the bank to live in one of the most beautiful cities in America. You don't even have to leave North Carolina . Based off data compiled from the U.S. News & World Report 's 2022 to 2023 rankings, Travel + Leisure gathered a list of 10 of the most beautiful places to live that are also affordable enough that a home likely won't send you into bankruptcy.

Among the stunning cities are Hickory and Raleigh-Durham, the latter of which were even recently named some of the "most neighborly" cities in the entire country . Here's what the site had to say:

"Located in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains, Hickory is a family-friendly destination known for its ample hiking trails and Southern charm. Currently ranked as the cheapest place to live in the U.S., Hickory has a median home price of $161,000. This affordable neighbor to the east of Asheville and north of Charlotte is popular with retirees, but it's also becoming more attractive to young families; a steady stream of residents has been flocking here for its newfound fame as a technological hub for Google and Apple."

" Raleigh , the capital city of North Carolina, and nearby Durham make up two-thirds of the Research Triangle — known locally as the Triangle — with roots in its three top-tier universities. Thanks to a growing job market and high-paying jobs in medicine, research, and technology, this area appeals to young individuals desiring an economical place to raise a family. This bustling technological and university metroplex boats stunning green landscapes, inventive local eateries, and a thriving college sports rivalry. Here, the median housing price (about $436,700) keeps pace with the national median, while homeowners reap the benefit of lower property taxes."

These are some of "most beautiful and affordable places" to live, according to T+L :

• Hickory, North Carolina
• Grand Rapids, Michigan
• Greenville, South Carolina
• Louisville, Kentucky
• Knoxville, Tennessee
• St. Louis, Missouri
• Dallas-Fort Worth, Texas
• Raleigh-Durham, North Carolina
• South Bend, Indiana
• Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

Check out the full list at Travel + Leisure to read up on more of the most beautiful and affordable places to live around the country.