The 50 best places to live in America

37. Winston-Salem, North Carolina

Population: 651,630

Average annual salary: $42,960

Quality of life: 6.8

Value: 7.2

The cost of living in Winston-Salem is a bargain. The city’s average housing costs remain well below the national average – renters pay about $200 less per month for a one-bedroom apartment than their counterparts around the country.

Residents can also take advantage of the city’s cultural offerings with visits to the Southeastern Center for Contemporary Art and the Reynolda House Museum of American Art.