7 Wallet-Friendly Small Towns To Retire In Georgia
In a state where more than 15% of the population is over 65, it appears retirees cannot resist the warm climate and colorful towns of Georgia. Retirees lead active lifestyles, engaging in activities such as fishing, hiking, or biking in the expansive parks, shopping and dining in the walkable downtowns, and getting involved in the vibrant communities. With so much to offer, Georgia is also quite affordable. Redfin lists the median sale price at $369,500 in 2025, which sits below the national average of almost $440,000, making Georgia towns even more inviting.
Learn more about seven wallet-friendly small towns to retire in Georgia.
Adairsville
Nestled in the Oothcalooga Valley, Adairsville is conveniently located halfway between Atlanta and Chattanooga. With a median sale price sitting at $335,000, Adairsville offers an affordable option in a retirement town known for its Norman Rockwell-esque charm.
Adairsville is the first listing in Georgia on the National Register of Historic Places that includes the entire town. The historic square and Main Street offer a busy schedule of events where retirees can participate in a wide range of wallet-friendly activities. The Great Locomotive Chase Festival takes place the first weekend of October, when the entire downtown is filled with the sounds of live music and the aromas of delicious food coming from the vendors. Arts and crafts booths, carnival-style amusements, a parade, and a beauty pageant add to the nostalgic feel of the weekend-long festivities.
The Adairsville Public Library offers free activities, from meditative coloring to enhance brain function to group craft gatherings such as crocheting. You can always join the Book Club to keep up on intriguing reads, discuss your thoughts with fellow readers, and stay social.
Retirees can lead an active life at Manning Mill Park. Shady trees surround a lovely 5-acre lake, a walking trail takes you along a safe path, and tennis and pickleball courts are available for a game with friends. It also has a fun playground and picnic area to take the grandkids when they come to visit.
Grovetown
With a median home sale price of $279,900, Grovetown offers an idyllic retirement town in the Augusta metropolitan area. Grovetown Trails at Euchee Creek offers an easy-to-navigate path through lovely parkland. The trail loops around Old Granite Quarry Lake, offering a leisurely hour-long walk or a faster-paced jaunt of about 30 minutes. Retirees can get in their daily activity without the cost of a gym membership.
The town’s time-honored Lights of the South is a Christmas light extravaganza. More than 100 acres of magical displays twinkle with millions of lights. Take in the spectacle on a starry winter night and visit Mrs. Claus’ Kitchen for a warming meal or sweet treats. This festive event is worth adding to your holiday traditions with the grandkids.
Become a Friend of the Library volunteer to meet new people. Support the community by raising funds for Grovetown Library programs, guest author events, and services. Join in book discussions, sign up for programs, or take a computer course.
Liberty Park Community Center offers a range of senior citizen programs, from health and fitness classes to games and field trips to bingo.
Stone Mountain
Stone Mountain is in East Metro Atlanta, just 16 miles from downtown. The wallet-friendly town offers homes well below the median sale price at $215,000. Just minutes from the majestic Stone Mountain Park, it is close to the conveniences of Atlanta while offering unmatched scenery and a charming historic downtown.
It is easy to lead an active life exploring over 3,200 acres at Stone Mountain Park. The 1-mile trail to the top of the massive granite formation offers spectacular views of the area. The views are accessible thanks to a convenient Summit Skyride cable car.
Get involved in the arts community as a volunteer at ART Station Theatre. Located in a historic trolley car barn, the contemporary multidisciplinary arts center is a cultural hub for the village where creative minds gather to experience or participate in theater, music, dance, and visual and literary arts.
Free concerts at Tunes by the Tracks take place throughout the warmer months. Grab a chair and join fellow music lovers with a glass of wine or cold beer, enjoying the open-air performances of well-known artists.
Shop for fresh produce, artisan foods, and crafts from local makers at the weekly Stone Mountain Farmers Market. The market is open from May to October, with a short pause until the winter market begins again in November.
Darien
It is difficult to believe that homes in Darien are so impossibly affordable with its stunning location at the mouth of the Altamaha River. This seaside town, about 60 miles south of Savannah, has a median home price of just $205,000, making it one of the most affordable towns in the state. Even the fishing community is budget-conscious, with free docking and launching for boaters and ample spots to cast a line from one of the many docks.
Birders can get their share of fresh air and free activities along Georgia’s Colonial Coast Birding Trail. The marshes, wetlands, and Atlantic coastline offer a diverse habitat for waterfowl, birds of prey, songbirds, and shorebirds.
The oldest English fort remaining on Georgia's coast hosts a calendar of events for people of all ages. From sampling the herbal teas of the Gaule tribe to festive classes making holiday wreaths, Fort King George State Historic Site shares the storied history of the local Guale Indians and life as a member of the colonial empire. The Georgia State Park volunteer site often posts opportunities to participate in events.
Free programs at Ida Hilton Library offer a wonderful way to enjoy social activities, learn new things, and participate in fitness classes such as Tai Chi. You can also volunteer to get involved with the community.
Thomasville
Known as the City of Roses, Thomasville is the second-largest city in Southwest Georgia. Sitting between Tallahassee and Albany, it offers affordable housing with a median home price of about $219,500.
Thomasville is a gardener's dream, where more than 1,000 roses are planted and maintained throughout the city, and a centuries-old oak tree has stood for over 345 years. Rose growers gather from around the world the last week of April to participate in an annual display of prize roses at the Rose Show and Festival. The town is filled with the heady scent of the delicate blooms, which create the backdrop for several flower shows, parades, and events.
Take up birdwatching at Birdsong Nature Center, where trails through 565 acres offer opportunities for bird-viewing. The sanctuary’s Bird Window and Butterfly Garden provide an intimate experience spotting butterflies and birds. The center also offers public programs and events, as well as guided walks.
The town is also a foodie hotspot. Get to know the local restaurants on a Taste of Thomasville After Hours Tour. Music lovers can grab a cup of wine or beer during the First Friday Sip and Strolls and head to The Ritz Amphitheater to listen to free music during the summer concert series.
Rome
Rome sits in the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains, where the Etowah and Oostanaula rivers form the Coosa River. This caps-and-gowns town is home to the world’s largest campus at Berry College, where the combination of natural surroundings, historic buildings, and chapels creates an impressive backdrop for a surprisingly affordable town. With a median home price of $230,000, this sister town of Italy’s capital is a cultural hub nurtured by the college community.
Berry College offers miles of trails set against the Appalachians. Retirees can discover the scenic grounds on foot, by bike, or on horseback. The community is welcome to participate in ongoing campus events, lectures, workshops, and performances throughout the year, with many available free of charge.
The Rome Symphony Orchestra performs classical, jazz, and pops concerts throughout the year and welcomes members of the community to get involved as volunteers assisting during performances and events.
Senior Scholars is a continuing senior education program hosted by Oak Hill & the Martha Berry Museum. A series of both recurring and special classes is offered at a reasonable price, covering a wide range of topics from history to art and health to languages and writing. The 170-acre estate was the home of Berry College founder Martha Berry and now features a museum, formal gardens, nature trails, and an art collection. Classes are held at the museum and locations across the campus.
Monroe
As part of the larger Atlanta metropolitan area, Monroe is under an hour’s drive from the city. With a median home price of $295,000, Monroe is made for frugal retirees interested in the arts and antiquing.
Monroe is Georgia’s Antique Capital, with nine antique and vintage shops within a conveniently condensed area. The Cotton Depot is a premier antique market and boutique shopping spot located in two restored cotton mills. It is an eclectic spot to discover great finds and explore the work of local artisans.
The Monroe Walton Center for the Arts is a post office converted into an art gallery and classroom facility where you can wander the gallery and pottery studio or participate in various art classes. Get involved as a volunteer greeting guests, hanging art for new exhibits, or putting your artistic talents to use. Theater lovers can enjoy a show at the On Stage Playhouse or become part of the theater community as a volunteer or performer.
Monroe is also committed to health and wellness, where locals are encouraged to shop for healthy, fresh food sold by farmers, growers, and artisans at The Monroe Market. The market’s food, gardening, and agriculture demonstrations also share tips on leading a healthier lifestyle. Childers Park is a 17-acre park with walking trails to start your day or enjoy an evening stroll.
These seven wallet-friendly retirement towns in Georgia offer an appealing place to settle down. Whether you prefer the charm of historic villages, the natural beauty of Stone Mountain Park, wildlife encounters along the coast, or vibrant arts communities in the Appalachians, Georgia towns help stretch your retirement dollars further.
