The Southeast’s Hidden Retirement Gems: Discover the 10 Most Livable Cities

It’s not just spring breakers flocking to Florida. The Southeast has been a popular retirement destination for many years due to its warm climate and low cost of living. Picking the right place to retire has less to do with who has the best sweet tea and more to do with balancing financial considerations and lifestyle preferences. 

To help simplify this decision, Investopedia teamed up with Travel + Leisure to identify 10 of the best retirement destinations in the Southeast based on cost of living, housing affordability, tax policies, access to health care, and proximity to major airports. 

Key Takeaways

• Many of the best Southeastern retirement destinations feature below-average housing, transportation, and food costs, making it easier for retirees to stretch their savings.
• Several states with destinations on this list, including Florida, Mississippi, and Tennessee, do not tax Social Security benefits or retirement income, reducing financial burdens for those on a fixed income.
• Cities like Danville, Virginia, and Natchez, Mississippi, boast median home values under $110,000 and monthly housing costs below $800, indicating accessible homeownership options for retirees.
• Many of our top retirement destinations are home to healthcare facilities and are close to major airports, making travel and medical care convenient.

Top Retirement Destinations in the Southeast

1. Waycross, Georgia

Waycross, located in southeastern Georgia, has a nationally recognized Main Street and plenty of Southern charm. The Okefenokee Swamp sits just south of Waycross and offers residents and visitors alike many opportunities to enjoy the warm Southern climate, whether golfing, hiking, or fishing. 

Our research found monthly housing, transportation, and food costs in Waycross trend well below national averages, and the fact that Georgia does not tax Social Security benefits makes this town of our top pick for stretching savings during retirement without compromising on your environment.

2. Danville, Virginia

Danville is a historic town of about 42,000 people in south-central Virginia along the North Carolina border. It sits further north than many other of our top Southeastern picks, and therefore has a temperate climate with four seasons for those seeking some escape from summer heat. 

Perhaps more than anything, the has notable below-average living costs. With median home values around $110,000 and monthly housing costs below $800 per month, retiring on a budget doesn’t have to come with massive compromises. As an added bonus, the state of Virginia does not tax Social Security income. 

3. Litchfield Beach, South Carolina

Retirees hoping for a community that feels like a daily vacation may want to consider Litchfield Beach. This small city in Georgetown County, Georgia, has miles of pristine white beaches, golf courses, and a slow Southern pace that appeals to many. Litchfield Beach is less populated (10,393 residents) than nearby touristy beach areas like Myrtle Beach (39,697 residents). 

It’s not uncommon for coastal locations to come with higher costs of living, but Investopedia found the monthly housing, transportation and food costs of Litchfield Beach are in line or sometimes less than other destinations on this list. There’s plenty of healthcare and entertainment options in this area, and only about an hour from the Charleston airport and travel flexibility is important to you.

Important

Living on the coast can come with additional cost considerations, such as flood or other supplemental insurance if you are in more disaster-prone areas. FEMA gives the county where Litchfield Beach resides a “relatively moderate” risk score.

4. Wheeling, West Virginia

Wheeling is a mid-sized town located in Ohio County, West Virginia, near the Allegheny Plateau. West Virginia has a reputation for rural living, but Wheeling’s location in the panhandle of West Virginia and on the Ohio River gives residents easy access to urban amenities such as dozens of healthcare facilities, a nearby international airport, and dozens of art and entertainment options.

A short drive from Pittsburgh, Penn., the cost of living in Wheeling is below average and may benefit retirees on a fixed income, especially housing. For example, our research found the median monthly housing costs were $742 for Wheeling.

5. Natchez, Mississippi

History buffs looking for quintessential Southern charm and a strong sense of community may find the small town of Natchez is just what they’re looking for in a new hometown. Downtown Natchez is active, welcoming, and walkable for those hoping to eat, drink, and be merry in retirement. The community also offers many year-round outdoor recreational activities, so residents don’t have to worry about cold, snowy winters.

When it comes to the cost of living, this destination is one of the most cost-effective options on our list. The median monthly housing costs for Adams County (where Natchez lies) are just under $600 monthly, and county taxes are similarly below average.

Note

The state of Mississippi does not tax Social Security benefits or income from retirement accounts, which will free up additional income for travel or entertainment in your non-working years.

6. Tryon, North Carolina

Tryon is a tiny town in Polk County, North Carolina, nestled in the Blue Ridge Mountains, offering residents stunning views, waterfalls, and miles of outdoor trails. This city prides itself on being a little quirky but lots of fun. Tyron has a strong equestrian presence and several vineyards and golf courses for those sunny Southern afternoons. The community is a bit older, too, with a median age of around 54.

The cost of living is higher than other options on this list, but still below average, with both median home values. and monthly housing costs well-below average. Tryon may be a small town but it’s close to dozens of healthcare facilities, including major hospitals, and only 70 miles from the Charlotte/Douglas International for those keen on travel.

Important

Unlike other Southeastern cities we evaluated, Tryon has a very low risk of environmental events like hurricanes and flooding that can make living in the Southeast nerve-wracking and expensive to insure.

7. Alexandria, Louisiana

Alexandria is a mid-size town of nearly 43,000 in central Louisiana that is an attractive option for retirees seeking warm weather and Louisiana’s bountiful culture without being too close to the weather disaster-prone coast. The city has a long history of French and Spanish influence that can be explored in one of the city’s several museums or art centers. 

Living costs are well below national averages, and other locations on this list. For example, median monthly housing costs in Rapides Parish county are $882, and sub-$200,000 median home value means that retired individuals looking for homeownership opportunities that don’t break the bank may be more easily found here. This area is filled with healthcare facilities and within 200 miles of the Louis Armstrong New Orleans International airport, too.

8. Sebring, Florida

Sebring, located in Florida’s Highlands County, is an excellent option for retirees hoping to take advantage of Florida’s retirement-friendly tax policies without fighting off spring breakers or steep price tags to enjoy the outdoors or one of the many fine or casual dining restaurants. 

Sebring’s below-average cost of living make this particular part of Florida extra appealing. Taxes are some of the lowest on this list, and median monthly housing costs are less than $800. While Sebring is not a big town, home to just under 12,000 people, there are still many recreational opportunities around its circular, historic downtown and proximity to state parks and trails in the central part of the state.

9. Paducah, Kentucky

Paducah is a mid-sized, riverfront city in McCracken County, Kentucky. It has a mild climate and four seasons, which can be appealing for those avoiding constant heat, and the history of Paducah is preserved in many of the area museums. The ever-expansive art scene is one of the city’s greatest prides.  

Paducah is easy on the wallet, too. Many residents of McCracken County pay $900 or less per month on average for housing costs. Transportation and food costs are also low compared to other locations on this list. Kentucky does not tax Social Security Benefits, and healthcare options are plentiful making this a well-rounded option for retirees in Southeast.

10. Paris, Tennessee

With a name like Paris, you won’t be surprised to find out that this small town in Henry County, Tennessee, has a 70-foot replica of the Eiffel Tower. While the replica of the Eiffel Tower might get people to Paris, the friendly residents, delicious food, and prolific art are what help them stay. The low cost of living compared to other regions and larger, nearby towns such as Nashville and Clarksville doesn’t hurt either.

Tip

The state of Tennessee doesn’t tax Social Security benefits or retirement account withdrawals. 

The Bottom Line

The Southeastern U.S. is a great destination for retirees wanting warm weather and a relaxed lifestyle. The region is known for its mild winters and sunny climate, which allows retirees to stay active outdoors even in winter, but the weather in the Southeast is not the only thing that makes it appealing to retirees.

The Southeast generally has a much lower cost of living than other parts of the country. Favorable tax policies, like no state income tax in Florida or Mississippi’s lack of taxation on Social Security benefits or retirement plan distributions are other important characteristics regardless of what city catches your attention.

Note

To learn more about how we created this list of best places to retire in the Southeastern U.S., read our methodology.