10 Of The Best Affordable Towns To Retire In Tennessee
Retirement planning often centers on housing costs and other financial considerations, yet comfort, convenience, and quality of daily life tend to matter more over time. The best affordable towns offer familiar routines, walkable streets, and local places that feel as time-worn and well-loved as a favorite pair of jeans. In Tennessee, towns like Crossville and Elizabethton provide those everyday anchors through parks, golf courses, and welcoming downtowns. Communities such as McMinnville and Paris balance reasonable home prices with culture and recreation, creating settings where retirement feels steady, engaging, and grounded in place.
Whether retirees are seeking a place rich in cultural significance or simply want breathtaking views as a backdrop to their golden years, Tennessee boasts a range of small, affordable towns that provide comfort and enjoyment on a budget.
Crossville
Located in the east-central part of the state and with a median home list price of $385,000, Crossville is particularly attractive to retirees. This vibrant town is considered the Golf Capital of Tennessee, and for good reason. Crossville has not one, not two, but 12 golf courses that provide an active, social life for seniors. The most notable is Lake Tansi Golf Course, which offers a range of difficulty levels in its sprawling, park-like setting, so both beginners and pros alike will feel right at home.
Retirees who love history, meanwhile, will enjoy the Military Memorial Museum, including extensive artifacts dating as far back as the Spanish American War all the way to recent conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan. The museum even has memoirs from prisoners of war during World War II, including Behind Barbed Wire by Gerhard Hennes. Pair these local attractions with a walkable downtown and proximity to nature via hiking trails at Cumberland Mountain State Park and the Cumberland Plateau, and Crossville ticks all the boxes for a well-rounded retirement.
Tullahoma
Tullahoma has a population of just over 20,000 and sits about an hour and a half south of Nashville, making the "Music City" a comfortable day trip for retirees. The median house list price is around $351,000, slightly below the state median, adding to its appeal as an affordable option for retirement living.
Nearby outdoor attractions include Rutledge Falls and Short Springs Natural Area, with an abundance of scenic beauty and plenty of hiking trails for those looking to maintain an active lifestyle. Retirees will enjoy the history on display at the Beechcraft Heritage Museum, an aviation museum showcasing Beechcraft aircraft models from the past century. It's a perfect place for retirees to immerse themselves in history for an afternoon, or to bring the grandchildren. Tullahoma also sits next to Arnold Air Force Base and the University of Tennessee Space Institute, which hosts tours as well as public lectures, talks, and community events from time to time.
Elizabethton
With the beautiful Elizabethton Golf Course on one end of town and Sycamore Shoals State Historic Park on the other, it's obvious that outdoor recreation is important among the 14,000 residents of Elizabethton. Summers in Elizabethton see residents flocking to Blue Hole Falls for relaxing afternoons along the shaded trails by the water. But those who prefer the cozy fun of antiquing over hiking and golfing shouldn't feel left out, with the extensive selection of goods at Village Antiques & Home Decor Mall and Duck Crossing Antique Mall. There's also a popular drive-in movie theater, StateLine Drive-In Theater, where retirees can indulge in a bit of nostalgia and enjoy blockbusters in a clean, friendly environment. There's even a snack bar selling popcorn and other concessions at affordable prices, a luxury unheard of at traditional movie theaters.
But it's not just the snack prices that are affordable in Elizabethton. The state median home sale price is just $300,000, earning it a solid spot among the most affordable Tennessee towns for retirees, particularly given that it sits just under 20 minutes east of Johnson City for access to more urban amenities without the big-city price tag.
Camden
One of this town's lesser-known but unique attractions is its Tennessee River Freshwater Pearl Museum and Farm, located at Camden's Birdsong Resort. It is the only freshwater pearl culture farm in America. Camden's median home list price is just $252,000, which leaves more money to spend at the variety of restaurants in town. The retro Finish Line Diner, homestyle Downhome Family Restaurant, and classic Craig's Pizza House are just a few of the town's many options for comfort food at reasonable prices in a casual, comfortable setting.
Retirees also enjoy catching a movie at Birdsong Drive-In Theater or checking out the rotating exhibits of work from local artists at DayLight Gallery. For a scenic and contemplative afternoon, there's also the Patsy Cline Memorial Park, which commemorates the site of the plane crash that killed the late country music star.
Paris
Named for its famous French counterpart in honor of the Marquis de Lafayette, a hero of the American Revolutionary War, Paris is a thriving town of just over 10,000 residents with a median home list price of $272,000. And yes, there's even a replica of the Eiffel Tower in the town's Eiffel Tower Park. For scenic walks, however, Mordecai Johnson Memorial Park is a popular spot, with sports fields and a dog park on the northern edge of town. Every April, locals look forward to the World's Biggest Fish Fry, featuring all-you-can-eat catfish and a festival with carnival rides, games, and live music, making it a great opportunity to meet neighbors and build community. The Paris Golf Driving Range is a hot spot for golf enthusiasts, while Paris Landing Golf Course is less than half an hour up the road to put those finely tuned skills to use. For retirees who want a game that's a little more fast-paced, the Family Fun Center has bowling, affordable snacks, and plenty of games to keep kids of all ages entertained.
McMinnville
Located about an hour and a half southeast of Nashville and intersected by Barren Fork, McMinnville is a comfortable, slow-paced town with a population of about 14,000. Art and antiques are a major attraction here, with McMinnville Antiques & More and Southern Museum & Galleries among the town's main draws for culture seekers.
Crafty and creative retirees will enjoy River Craft Ceramics, where visitors can paint their own pieces and purchase supplies for their next big project, and those seeking outdoor recreation will enjoy the sights at the historic Cumberland Caverns, named for the sprawling Cumberland Plateau where the caverns are situated. McMinnville's median house list price is also well below the state average at $299,900, which is a bit of a steal considering all this town and its surroundings have to offer.
Brownsville
With a population of just under 10,000 residents, Brownsville sits just one hour northeast of Memphis in the westernmost part of Tennessee. It's surrounded by natural beauty, located right near the Hatchie National Wildlife Refuge, where wide, flat trails allow for accessible nature walks and birdwatching around Oneal Lake. Cultural attractions include the West Tennessee Delta Heritage Center, which honors some of the region's best musicians, including Tina Turner, with a museum dedicated to her legacy in her former one-room schoolhouse.
Brownsville's median home list price is only $233,000, despite its proximity to the many services and attractions in Memphis and the town's own laundry list of senior-friendly perks. Local places of interest include the Dunbar Carver Museum, where visitors can learn more about the region's rich African American history and heritage, as well as Webb Banks Passive Park, where many species of goose, ducks, and fish can be spotted year-round along the walking trails that used to be a 14-acre cotton field.
Huntingdon
With 4,000 residents and a median list price of $300,000, Huntingdon is the perfect place for retirees seeking peace and relaxation amongst beautiful scenery. Carroll County Shooting Sports Park is a lively place to spend a summer afternoon, while Carroll County Inclusion Park offers an accessible playground experience for the grandkids when they come for a visit. Thousand Acre Lake (also called Lake Halford) sits just south of town with 22 miles of shoreline for activities such as swimming, boating, fishing, and scenic walks. Beyond outdoor recreation, Huntingdon is perhaps best known as the home of the Dixie Carter Performing Arts and Academic Enrichment Center, which hosts regular concerts and live shows that draw locals and out-of-towners alike.
Henderson
Henderson is located about a half hour south of Jackson. This town of just over 6,000 residents has a median home list price of $252,000 and plenty of year-round activities for retirees. During the warmer months, residents enjoy peaceful days exploring Chickasaw State Park, with its opportunities for fishing, camping, boating, and swimming. There are even cabins to rent for a weekend getaway. Right in town, Gene Record Memorial Park delivers scenery and exercise, and even has a dedicated dog park for four-legged friends.
Just a short drive north of Henderson, in nearby Pinson, is Pinson Mounds State Archeological Park, which spans 1,200 acres and includes 15 dedicated Native American burial and ceremonial mounds. The park hosts a range of activities for kids and the young at heart. Strictly for adults, however, Forty Cannons Winery promises a rugged yet sophisticated experience, featuring small-batch wines crafted from its local vineyards.
McKenzie
With its golf courses, parks, museums, and great food, what's not to love about McKenzie? This charming little town, located at the intersection of three Tennessee counties, McKenzie sits just south of the Tennessee-Kentucky border. And a median list price of $247,000 makes it a solid choice for retirees looking to stretch their budget as much as possible.
South of the town is Carroll Lake Golf Club, an 18-hole course with views of the lake for which the course is named. Prices are reasonable with $25 daily rates on Tuesdays and Thursdays, a deal that caters to the retirement crowd. The Gordon Browning Museum is a great place for history lovers, featuring papers, artifacts, and records chronicling the life and administration of former Tennessee governor, as well as a genealogical library for those interested in exploring their own personal histories. Merchant Outlet Mall and McKenzie Antique Mall offer hours of retail therapy, and local restaurants like the popular '50s-inspired Bobby Gee's Diner remind retirees of all the reasons they chose McKenzie to spend their golden years.
Get The Most Out Of Your Retirement In Tennessee
From the quiet charm of McKenzie to the cultural appeal of Brownsville, these Tennessee towns provide affordable and rewarding places to settle into retirement. Camden and Paris combine local traditions with everyday conveniences, while Tullahoma and McMinnville add outdoor beauty and creative outlets. Together, these communities offer retirees comfortable housing, engaging activities, and friendly environments that make daily life enjoyable and fulfilling across every stage of retirement.
