Southern Living subscription costs and what's included
A Southern Living subscription gives you access to the magazine's home design, recipes, gardening, and lifestyle content. The subscription price varies depending on whether you choose print, digital, or both, and whether you buy directly from the publisher or through a third-party seller. As of now, a one-year print subscription typically costs between $15 and $25 when purchased through promotional offers, though the standard rate is higher. A digital-only subscription usually costs less than print.
The magazine arrives monthly and covers interior design, Southern recipes, gardening information, travel destinations in the South, and home improvement projects. Digital subscribers can read the same content on their phone, tablet, or computer through the Southern Living website or mobile app. Many subscriptions also include access to the magazine's online recipe database and home design galleries.
Prices change frequently based on promotional offers, so the cost you see today may differ from what someone else pays next month. Renewal rates are typically higher than introductory rates, so check your renewal notice before your subscription auto-renews.
Key Takeaways
- Southern Living subscriptions come in three formats: print only, digital only, or print plus digital combined.
- Introductory rates are usually lower than renewal rates, so your second year will likely cost more than your first.
- You can subscribe directly through Southern Living's website or through third-party magazine retailers, which sometimes offer different pricing.
- Digital subscriptions include access to the online recipe database and home design galleries, not just the current month's issue.
- Your subscription will auto-renew unless you cancel before the renewal date listed on your account.
Where to buy a Southern Living subscription
You can purchase directly from Southern Living's official website, which is usually the most straightforward route. The site shows current promotional offers and lets you choose print, digital, or both before checkout.
Third-party magazine retailers like Magazines.com, MagazinesDirect, and others sometimes offer different pricing or bundled deals. These retailers act as middlemen between you and the publisher, so your subscription still comes from Southern Living—the retailer just handles the sale. Prices and terms can vary by retailer, so it's worth checking a few if you're looking for the lowest rate.
Some retailers offer discounted rates for longer commitments (two or three years upfront), which can lower your per-year cost if you know you'll stay subscribed. Others run seasonal promotions around holidays or special events.
Print versus digital: what each format includes
A print subscription delivers the physical magazine to your mailbox each month. You own the issue and can keep it on your shelf, tear out recipes or design ideas, or share it with family members. Print arrives about a week after the cover date, so the January issue typically arrives in early January.
A digital subscription gives you access to the current and back issues through the Southern Living website or app. You can search the entire archive, save articles, and access content on any device with internet. Digital arrives on the cover date or slightly before, so you see new content first. You cannot read issues to read offline on most plans, though some subscriptions include that feature—check the details before you buy.
A print plus digital bundle gives you both at once. This costs more than either alone but lets you read the current issue on your phone while the print copy is in the mail, and keep the physical magazine afterward. This option makes sense if you want to reference articles later or prefer reading on paper for some content and on screen for other content.
How to manage your subscription and cancel
Log into your account on the Southern Living website to view your subscription status, renewal date, and payment method. You can update your mailing address (for print) or email address from your account dashboard. Most changes take effect within a few days.
To cancel, go to your account settings and look for a "Manage Subscription" or "Cancel Subscription" option. You may also call Southern Living's customer service number, which is usually listed on your invoice or renewal notice. If you cancel before your renewal date, your subscription ends on that date and you won't be charged again. If you cancel after renewal, most publishers do not refund the charge, so timing matters.
If you subscribed through a third-party retailer, you may need to cancel through that retailer's website rather than through Southern Living directly. Check your confirmation email to see which company processed your order.
Promotional offers and how to find them
Southern Living runs frequent promotional offers, especially around the holidays and at the start of the year. These promotions typically offer the first year at a steep discount—sometimes 50 to 70 percent off the standard rate—with the understanding that your renewal will be at full price.
To find current offers, visit the Southern Living website directly and look for a "Subscribe" button or link. You can also search "Southern Living subscription" plus the current month to see what deals are running. Email offers sometimes arrive to past subscribers or people who abandoned a subscription, so check your inbox and spam folder if you've shown interest before.
Magazine retailers often have their own rotating promotions, so if the Southern Living website's current offer doesn't appeal to you, check Magazines.com or similar sites. The same subscription may be priced differently depending on where you buy it and when.
What happens if you don't cancel before renewal
Most subscriptions renew automatically on the date shown in your account. Your payment method on file will be charged the renewal rate, which is usually higher than the introductory rate you paid for your first year. You should receive a renewal notice by email or mail a few weeks before the charge goes through, though not all publishers send these reliably.
If you're charged and didn't intend to renew, contact Southern Living's customer service with your invoice number. Many publishers will refund a renewal charge if you ask within a short window (often 30 days), though this is not may provide. Canceling before the renewal date is more reliable than trying to get a refund after.
If you want to keep your subscription but reduce the cost, watch for promotional offers around renewal time. You may be able to cancel and when ready resubscribe at a lower introductory rate, though some publishers block this. Ask customer service whether they can explore a current promotion to your renewal.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I pause my subscription instead of canceling?
Most magazine subscriptions do not offer a pause option. You either stay subscribed and are charged at renewal, or you cancel and lose access. If you want to take a break, cancel now and resubscribe later when you're ready. You may be offered a reactivation rate if you return within a certain period.
Do I get access to past issues with a digital subscription?
Yes. Digital subscriptions typically include access to the current issue plus a back catalog of past issues, though the depth of the archive varies. Check the subscription details before you buy to see how far back the archive goes. You can usually search by topic or date to find specific articles.
What if the magazine doesn't arrive?
Contact Southern Living's customer service with your subscription number and the issue you're missing. They can investigate whether it was lost in the mail and either resend it or credit your account. Keep your invoice handy so you can provide your subscription details quickly.
Can I give a Southern Living subscription as a gift?
Yes. Most publishers offer gift subscriptions through their website. You choose the length and format, provide the recipient's mailing address, and often can include a gift message. Gift subscriptions typically start at a promotional rate and renew at the standard rate unless the recipient cancels.
Is there a student discount?
Southern Living does not currently offer a dedicated student rate, but promotional offers available to the general public may be your best option. Check the website for current deals, or call customer service to ask whether any student or educational discounts are running.