10 Cost-Effective Retirement Towns In Tennessee

Coal mines and country music. Those are a couple of things that come to mind when people think about Tennessee. The Volunteer State has a longstanding cultural heritage and is home to some of the most famous musical landmarks in the country, like the Grand Ole Opry in Nashville and Beale Street in Memphis. Tennessee also has some of the best-known natural areas, like the Great Smoky Mountains. The state has a generally low cost of living, as the median home list price in Tennessee is around $400,000 (according to Zillow), which is just below the national median. The combination of thriving culture, natural habitats, and budget-friendly housing makes Tennessee a place retirees should consider. Learn more about the best towns in the state for cost-conscious retirees.

Greeneville

Greeneville, home to around 16,000 residents, is a great choice for retirees looking for affordability and connection to history, fine arts, and nature. Greeneville is the only town in the United States with this spelling (most are spelled "Greenville"). The town is the second oldest in Tennessee and is named after Revolutionary War Hero Nathanael Greene. The median home list price is approximately $330,000 (according to realtor.com), so it is relatively easy to find something that fits a retirement budget here.

The town has a thriving historic district connected to President Andrew Johnson’s legacy, offering guided tours at the Andrew Johnson National Historic Site so visitors can see his homestead. Retirees can head into the nearby Cherokee National Forest for easy walks, birdwatching, or drives through rolling foothills. Greeneville also hosts live entertainment at the Niswonger Performing Arts Center, giving newcomers plenty of ways to stay engaged and feel part of the community.

Manchester

Manchester is a town of 13,000 people and a median home listing price of around $370,000. The town is best known for hosting the famed musical festival Bonnaroo, but outside festival season, it is a quiet, manageable place to settle in. Retirees can enjoy spending time at Old Stone Fort State Archaeological Park, where gentle trails wind around ancient earthworks and waterfalls. Old Stone Fort was built around 2,000 years ago by Native Americans, and it still lets visitors take a walk back in time and enjoy recreational activities like birding and camping.

Retirees looking for fresh air and open spaces can also go to the nearby Barton Springs Campgrounds at Normandy Reservoir. This natural area has opportunities for easy lakeside walks, fishing, or picnicking. Valley View Farm and Garden is open to those who appreciate learning more about farming life and want access to locally-grown produce.

Jellico

Jellico has around 2,000 residents and is located in Campbell County near the peaceful foothills of the Appalachian Mountains. If you prefer a mountain-adjacent pace and modest cost, Jellico delivers with its proximity to natural areas and a median home listing price of $265,000. Retirees have the option of spending time at Indian Mountain State Park and hiking a choice of three trails, fishing in stocked ponds, or camping out. Adventurous retirees might also want to explore the town’s historic post office and old mine-rescue station (a nod to the region’s coal heritage). Those ready to hit the highway can take scenic drives from Jellico up into the Elk Valley for quiet vistas.

Tiptonville

Roughly 3,300 people call Tiptonville home. The town has affordable living arrangements with its median home listing price of around $165,000. The town lies along the shore of Reelfoot Lake, a unique natural landmark formed by seismic events. For retirees who prefer being near bodies of water and wildlife, Tiptonville stands out. Reelfoot Lake State Park gives retirees chances to birdwatch, hike, kayak, and take park tours. Retirees can explore the town’s historic downtown area for a deeper dive into the town’s past. Arts appreciators can look forward to the annual Reelfoot Arts and Crafts Festival, which has a showcase of pottery, Native American crafts, woodworking, and many other art mediums.

Portland

Portland is a well-rounded small town in Sumner County with a population of around 13,500 and a steady housing market where the median home listing price is right around $400,000. Given its proximity to Nashville, Portland has plenty of everyday conveniences and a growing arts-and-farm culture. Retirees can take regular visits to Bottom View Farm, a laid-back spot with seasonal produce, walking areas, and family events. Avid movie goers and concert enthusiasts can frequent Temple Theatre, a 1930s-era movie theatre that still serves entertainment to Portland residents. Retirees can stay active with the amenities at Richland Park, which provides walking paths, a gym, sporting areas, and an amphitheater.

Sharon

Sharon is a tight-knit town of a little over 900 people and is in Weakley County. The median home listing price is budget-friendly, currently around $178,000. Sharon is known as a warm and welcoming town and is a good fit for retirees who appreciate simplicity and community. Retirees can get plenty of exercise and fresh air hiking at Big Cypress Tree State Park. The park has a 1,142-foot long boardwalk trail that leads the visitor into the park’s seasonally flooded hardwood bottomland forest. The surrounding countryside around town offers green, open spaces that make for good birdwatching sites or quiet picnic areas.

Dyersburg

Dyersburg is a comfortable, underrated small town where retirees often feel they have found a sweet spot, with the town’s affordable homes, manageable traffic, and plenty of everyday conveniences. Dyersburg has a population of around 15,800 and a median home listing price of around $225,000. Retirees who enjoy getting out on the green to golf can go to the Dyersburg Municipal Golf Course. For retirees who want more intense outdoor thrills, Bikini Bottoms Off Road Park has open spaces for ATVs and other off-roading vehicles. Dyersburg State Community College hosts events and cultural programs that are often open to the public, giving residents a chance to stay engaged with local happenings and have low-cost entertainment.

Athens

Athens is known as the “Friendly City,” and retirees often find that reputation well-earned. With approximately 15,000 residents, it offers the feel of a true small town with its farming-oriented lifestyle. The median home listing price in Athens is hovering near $320,000. Retirees can find fresh produce and community gatherings at Englewood Farm Market. There is more farm food and fun at Mayfield Farm Park, which has a Christmas Story Silo Light Show, a Fall Festival, and other seasonal activities.

Those who are avid moviegoers will appreciate Athens Movie Palace, a locally owned and operated theater. Athens is a town that loves to celebrate, as there are multiple festivals throughout the year. There is MooFest, which celebrates the importance of the dairy industry in the area and features live entertainment and local artisans. There is also Pumpkintown, a festival commemorating the Native American history of the town, which hosts a Native American PowWow.

Sparta

Sparta’s rolling hills, small population, and reasonable cost of living make it a comfortable retirement destination. A little under 5,000 people reside in Sparta, and the median home listing price is near $340,000, still falling below the state median. Retirees can stay on their feet adventuring through Burgess Falls State Park, home to gorgeous cascades and accessible hiking trails. The Calfkiller River is another mainstay for outdoorsy retirees who want a good spot for fishing or kayaking.

Events like the annual Liberty Square: A Lester Flatt Celebration bring the town’s bluegrass music soul alive. Retirees who want to spend more free time golfing with friends can choose the Sparta Country Club as a prime location.

Lewisburg

Lewisburg is a town steeped in pioneer tradition. It was established in 1837 and named after Meriwether Lewis, a member of the famed Lewis and Clark expedition. It has a population of around 13,000. The median home listing price is approximately $350,000, and Lewisburg's housing market generally stays within reach for retirees. Retirees who want a nostalgic movie experience can go to the Hi-Way 50 Drive In movie theater. Those with a love of equestrian sports can visit and participate in the Tennessee Walking Horse Breeders' & Exhibitors' Association. Pickers Creek Winery hosts wine tasting tours and has an active calendar of events open to the community. The Goats, Music, & More Fair is held annually in Lewisburg to give residents live local performances and features a pageant.

Finding Cost-Effective Retirement in the South

Retirement should be an occasion to celebrate not just a legacy of a career well done, but also to celebrate what lies ahead. Retirees in Tennessee can embrace the state's pioneer spirit and venture into a retirement that is on their own terms at cost-effective prices that will not break the bank. These ten towns give retirees the best of the cultural, natural, and historical experiences the state has to offer. And while the populations of many of these towns are humble, the residents go big on celebrating their homes and heritage. Listen to live bluegrass. Hike alongside waterfalls. Or spend days lounging by a river and fishing. As famed Tennessee resident Dolly Parton once said, "Find out who you are and do it on purpose." Retire on purpose in Tennessee.