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Key Takeaways
- Southern charm can be quite affordable, as these four cities offer average home values ranging from about $115,000 in Natchez to $320,000 in Greenville.
- Whether you want mountain charm (Hickory), riverfront living (Natchez), or a lively small city (Little Rock), these cities offer you more breathing room for your budget, as well as abundant nature and cultural offerings.
If you’re a soon-to-be retiree thinking about heading south, you probably aren’t just chasing milder winters. You also might be looking for places where life feels a little easier, and your budget stretches a lot further. These cities deliver exactly that: friendly neighborhoods, slower-paced living, and home prices that won’t swallow your savings.
From Mississippi River towns to the Carolina foothills, these four communities can offer you a practical, welcoming place for your life’s next chapter.
1. Greenville, South Carolina
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A walkable Main Street and public art spaces make Greenville, South Carolina, an appealing retirement destination. Amenities include the Swamp Rabbit Trail, a 28-mile walking and biking path along the Reedy River.
The cost of living here is about 9% below the national average. Average home prices hover around $320,000, about $40,000 below the national average. Those who are age 60 and older make up about 20% of the city’s population of about 73,000 people. The state doesn’t tax Social Security benefits, and residents 65 and older can deduct up to $10,000 in other retirement income from state taxes. Health care options include Prisma Health and Bon Secours St. Francis.
The 230 international firms nearby, including the North American headquarters of BMW and Michelin, have helped shape a food and cultural scene that’s unusual for such a small city. Meanwhile, you can catch national tours of Broadway shows and symphony performances at the Peace Center nestled along the Reedy River.
Tip
A quarter of downtown Greenville’s 200-plus restaurants serve international fare, from Persian stews at Pomegranate on Main to Jamaican oxtails at Jamaica Mi Irie.
2. Hickory, North Carolina
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About 115 miles northeast of Greenville along the Blue Ridge foothills, Downtown Hickory operates as a “Social District,” meaning you can stroll the brick-lined streets with a drink in hand. The city maintains 26 parks, six recreation centers, and two senior centers offering fitness classes and social programming year-round. Many Medicare plans include SilverSneakers memberships and access to the Highland Recreation Center at no extra cost.
At $288,000, the average home price in this nearly 44,000-person city is well below the national average, and the cost of living runs about 13% below the U.S. average. North Carolina doesn’t tax Social Security benefits, and other retirement income is subject to a flat 3.99% rate.
The more than 10-mile Hickory Trail stitches together downtown, the Catawba River, and Lake Hickory. Bakers Mountain Park, the highest point in Catawba County, offers nearly six miles of hiking trails.
Health care options include two major hospitals: Catawba Valley Medical Center and Frye Regional Medical Center, which is part of Duke LifePoint Healthcare.
3. Little Rock, Arkansas
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Little Rock offers a variety of activities with its river trail system and a cost of living that is 16% below the national average. The average home costs about 40% less than the national average, and Arkansas doesn’t tax Social Security benefits.
North Little Rock’s Argenta Arts District is packed with galleries, restaurants, and more, all housed in century-old buildings. The neighborhood hosts art walks and is conveniently located within easy walking distance of Dickey-Stephens Ballpark, where you can catch ball games.
Health care is a particular strength. UAMS is the state’s only adult Level 1 trauma center. Baptist Health Medical Center–Little Rock is another well-regarded facility nearby.
4. Natchez, Mississippi
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Perched on bluffs overlooking the Mississippi River, Natchez is the oldest city on the Mississippi River. It’s also the most affordable city on this list. The cost of living is about 21% below the national average, and the average home price is about $115,000. Mississippi sweetens the deal by exempting retirement income from state taxes.
History buffs won’t run out of things to explore in a city that skews a bit older: 27% of the more than 14,000 people in town are 60 or older. Natchez is home to more than 1,000 structures on the National Register of Historic Places, including 13 designated National Historic Landmarks.
Downtown is walkable, with art galleries, restaurants, and the Natchez Brewing Company, which offers specialty brews like a coconut porter blocks from the riverfront. Outdoor enthusiasts can set off on the 444-mile Natchez Trace Parkway, which winds through three states.
Health care options include Merit Health Natchez, a 179-bed Joint Commission–accredited hospital.
