One Of North Carolina's Most Affordable Cities Nestles In Rolling Hills With Pristine Natural Beauty

The cost of living is rising in the United States, and Americans are stressed. The annual inflation rate is 2.4%. Egg prices don't seem to be lowering, and goods and services are 23.7% more expensive than they were pre-COVID. An April 2025 poll conducted by Gallup found that 60% of Americans stated they are a great deal concerned about the economy, alongside worrying about healthcare costs and rising inflation. The 4% increase in the country's median household income might not be enough to cover rising costs, which begs the question: Where can Americans find an affordable place to live?

Enter North Carolina, ranked 23rd out of 50 for affordable cost of living. Within this state lies a town of just under 15,000 people called Henderson. Listed as the second-cheapest place to live in North Carolina, Henderson has a cost of living that is 28% less than the country's average.

Residents live on an average of $38,780 a year, paying 50% less in rent than the country's average, and purchasing homes with a median cost of $175,725. But it's not just the low cost of living that entices folks to live here; it's the tight-knit community and the festivals. Not to mention the fact that Henderson is also surrounded by pristine natural beauty, being only a 10-minute drive away from a 50,000-acre lake that offers a plethora of outdoor activities.

Henderson boasts a tight-knit community that often feels like family. Visit the multitude of events and festivals held year-round, and you'll get a sense of this immediately. The Henderson-Vance Recreation & Parks Department was founded in 1970 to provide more recreational opportunities for the locals. Today, children ages seven through 12 can join a Wrestling Training Clinic. 

Avid fishermen can enter the Fox Pond Park Fishing Contest, where winners get cash prizes as well as Bass Pro Shop gift cards and fishing gear. And Burntshirt Vineyard periodically hosts local musicians. Of course, a town like Henderson also has a selection of different farmers' markets throughout the year where folks flock to buy from local farmers.

The best way to learn about the community is through the food, and Henderson's culinary options might even blow North Carolina's foodie-favorite town of Oxford out of the water. George's is among the top restaurants in Henderson. One Yelp reviewer notes, "This must be the locals' local spot." Their barbecue ribs fall off the bone, the spinach pie is crisp and fresh, and their stuffed salmon special is a favorite. Mezcalito is a popular Mexican joint where the food is just as affordable as the town itself. Check out their wide selection of tequila. They have almost every kind. Together, these hotspots make up a food scene that will rival not just Oxford, but also North Carolina's "gateway to BBQ," Goldsboro. 

Driving around Henderson, you'll notice that the city features rolling hills and lots of greenery. Fun fact: Henderson's lushness is attributed to its rich soil, making it a great place for agriculture. Not only that, but Henderson boasts 12 public parks. The Oklawaha Greenway Trail — a trail just over three miles long — connects five of these parks. You'll find folks walking, jogging, biking, and walking their dogs on this trail. Many of Henderson's parks have an assortment of sports and recreational courts, like basketball, tennis, and soccer.

Then there's Kerr Lake, a 50,000-acre lake with 850 miles of shoreline straddling North Carolina's northern border with Virginia. The lake has 30 recreation areas where visitors can enjoy everything from camping and swimming to picnics and fishing. Speaking of fishing, fishermen can catch a variety of bass, catfish, and crappies. 

One Tripadvisor reviewer notes that you can even "fish from the campsite." The area also has four main trails, none longer than a mile and rated low on the difficulty scale. This makes Kerr Lake — much like Henderson — an affordable place to access nature and a family-like community. Interested in more naturally beautiful cities in North Carolina? Check out this charming riverside city with a beautiful state park.