In recent rankings in key categories, up-and-coming and high-energy Greenville, S.C. (population of 72,310), with its clean streets, low-crime rate and family-friendly focus, continues to top its neighboring, problem-ridden rival Asheville (population of 93,776), the latter of which has been known for almost a century as the “Paris of the South.”

“Situated in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains, Greenville has transformed from a blip on the national map to a bustling metropolis,” according to U.S. News and World Report, which placed Greenville in the fourth spot for its annual ‘Best Places to Live’ ranking back in November 2024. 

Greenville, a former textile powerhouse, now has an influx of manufacturing jobs to thank for its growth, with companies like GE and Michelin moving in and infusing the town with new energy.

In 2023, Greenville finished at No. 31 out of 150 U.S. cities. Fast forward to 2024, and the only American topping cities above Greenville (at least in the ratings) are Naples, Florida, Boise, Idaho, and Colorado Springs, Colorado

Alas, Asheville finished 17th in the 2024 “Best Places to Live” list — 13 spots below Greenville.

The trend of Greenville topping Asheville held true once again in the latest ranking we have seen — unveiled by www.liveability.com in mid-April — showing that, among the mid-size Southeastern U.S. cities with populations between 75,000-500,000 that were considered for the list, Greenville, S.C., tied with Durham, N.C., for No. 6, followed by Asheville at No. 8.

In a separate ranking “of friendliest places” in 2024 by Southern Living Magazine, Greenville  — at No. 3 — again trounced Asheville, which was rated No. 7.

Since the 1850s, what was then the little resort village of Greenville continued to bill itself as the the “Athens of the Upstate.” This nickname reportedly reflects Greenville’s historical and continued status as a center of education, culture and commerce in the Upstate region. The term “Athens” evokes the image of a city known for its intellectual and cultural vibrancy, which Greenville claims to have historically embodied.

And now that the “Athens of the Upstate” is regularly thrashing — in the ratings as well as in reality — the “Paris of the South.”

Given that they Asheville and Greenville are only 63.1 miles apart (a 77-minute drive), we wonder if and when — and even how — Asheville will surge back into its long-held lofty position as the premier city in the region known as Western Carolina North Carolina and Upstate South Carolina.

Happily, both cities remain highly ranked and are fierce competitors, so those of us living in either of them will likely benefit from their efforts to outdo not only one another, but all of the other U.S. cities.