8 Wallet-Friendly Small Towns To Retire In The Southern United States
Choosing where to spend your retirement is one of life’s biggest decisions, shaped by family ties, health needs, lifestyle goals, and perhaps most importantly, finances. With the rising cost of living, finding a destination that strikes a balance between comfort and affordability has become increasingly essential. For many retirees, the Southern United States remains an appealing option. The South offers warmth, natural beauty, and a lower cost of living than many other parts of the country. Over the past decade, more Americans have relocated to this region than any other, and the trend shows no sign of slowing down. Here are wallet-friendly small towns to consider for retirement in the southern United States.
Danville, Virginia
Set in southern Virginia along the tree-lined Dan River, Danville is a small city of about 42,000 residents, with a sizable share of the population age 65 and older. Once a textile and tobacco hub, Danville has leaned into preservation and revitalization, restoring its historic downtown and riverfront warehouses into a walkable district with housing, restaurants, and shops. Homebuyers will find that local home values, averaging around the mid-$100,000s, are significantly lower than Virginia’s statewide average, making Danville an appealing option for retirees looking to stretch their savings.
Danville provides many options for retirees who enjoy both culture and nature. The Dan Riverwalk Trail winds for miles along the river, offering good spots for walking, jogging, and biking. Dan Daniel Memorial Park provides open fields, ballparks, and picnic areas that host community events. One of the city's claims to fame is that it temporarily served as the last capital of the Confederacy during the Civil War, and you can tour the home where it was headquartered. History and art lovers can explore the Danville Museum of Fine Arts & History, while the nearby campus of Averett University brings concerts, theater, and lectures to town. Healthcare is readily available through Sovah Health - Danville, providing retirees with access to a regional medical center conveniently located near home.
Nacogdoches, Texas
Known as the “Oldest Town in Texas,” Nacogdoches traces its roots back to Caddo settlements and a Spanish mission founded in 1716. Over time, French, Mexican, Texan, and American influences have layered together, and local tourism materials proudly note that Nacogdoches has flown under nine different flags. Today, the city of a little over 32,000 residents offers historic streetscapes, college-town energy, and relative affordability. Average home values sit around the low-$200,000s, lower than the Texas statewide median, which helps retirees get more space for their money.
Retirees and visitors alike will find many things to enjoy in Nacogdoches. The Ruby M. Mize Azalea Garden at Stephen F. Austin State University bursts with color each spring. Millard’s Crossing Historic Village preserves log cabins and historic homes, giving a glimpse into 19th-century East Texas life. The Stone Fort Museum and the Sterne-Hoya House Museum add more facets of history for enthusiasts to explore. On weekends, many locals head to the Nacogdoches Farmers Market or seasonal festivals downtown. Seniors have access to healthcare through Nacogdoches Memorial Hospital and Nacogdoches Medical Center. Additionally, the Nacogdoches Senior Center offers meals, exercise classes, and social programs specifically tailored to older adults.
Spartanburg, South Carolina
Spartanburg is a welcoming city of roughly 38,000 residents in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains, a part of the Appalachians that stretches down from Virginia and North Carolina into the western part of the state. Nicknamed “Hub City” for its historic role as a rail and textile hub, it has been reinventing itself with new public art, restaurants, and green spaces. Local home prices sit in the mid-$200,000s, noticeably lower than South Carolina’s statewide median, which can make homeownership more attainable for retirees.
Nature lovers can enjoy day trips into the nearby Blue Ridge Mountains for hiking, waterfalls, and high overlooks, or take advantage of local trails and parks within Spartanburg County. Downtown Spartanburg has grown into a regional arts center, with live performance venues such as Spartanburg Little Theatre and museums like the Hub City Railroad Museum. Clevedale Inn and Gardens, a restored historic home and garden, offers a pleasant place for visiting family or special occasions. Baseball fans can cheer on the Hub City Spartanburgers, the city’s new Minor League team. For medical needs, Spartanburg Regional Healthcare System supports the local healthcare network with hospitals and specialty clinics.
Pecos, Texas
Pecos, in far West Texas, has a long frontier history, and its name is familiar to many people from references in old westerns. It developed as a stop along the Butterfield Overland Mail route and later the Goodnight-Loving cattle trail, and it claims the title of hosting the world’s first organized rodeo on July 4, 1883. Today, this town of around 12,000 residents appeals to retirees who want a dry climate, open skies, and relatively low housing costs. Median listing prices tend to fall in the mid-$200,000s, lower than Texas’s statewide numbers.
Pecos offers a mix of history, recreation, and convenient services. The West of the Pecos Museum, housed in a historic hotel, tells stories of ranchers, cowboys, and lawmen of the Old West. Rodeo fans can catch events at Buck Jackson Arena, which continues the town’s rodeo tradition. For a day trip, retirees can drive to Balmorhea State Park to swim in the spring-fed pool or relax beside some of the clearest water in the region. Healthcare needs are served locally by the Reeves County Hospital District and its Reeves Regional Health Campus, giving residents access to emergency and inpatient care without a long drive.
New Iberia, Louisiana
Situated in southern Louisiana, New Iberia is a historic town of roughly 28,000 residents, with a notable share of older adults. Its oak-lined streets and bayou views give it a distinctly Louisiana character. Home prices here average in the high-$100,000s, below Louisiana’s statewide median, which is attractive for retirees seeking a mix of culture and affordability.
New Iberia is full of history. Shadows-on-the-Teche, an antebellum home on the banks of Bayou Teche, offers guided tours that discuss both the Weeks family and the lives of enslaved people who worked the property. Downtown, visitors can spot landmarks such as the Steamboat House and other historic structures that contribute to the town’s Southern Gothic feel. Nearby, Rip Van Winkle Gardens on Jefferson Island offers gardens, live oaks, and views of Lake Peigneur, while the Tabasco Factory on Avery Island provides a spicy, behind-the-scenes look at one of Louisiana’s most famous brands. Retirees in New Iberia benefit from access to Iberia Medical Center and local senior programs and community centers that help older adults stay active and connected.
Punta Gorda, Florida
Where the Peace River meets Charlotte Harbor on Florida’s Gulf Coast, Punta Gorda offers waterfront living with a relaxed pace. The city has around 20,000 residents, and about half of them are age 65 or older, making it one of the more retirement-oriented communities on this list. Average home values are in the mid-$300,000s, which is still somewhat lower than Florida’s statewide home value, keeping it in reach for buyers who prioritize water access and mild winters.
Outdoor recreation is central to life in Punta Gorda. The Peace River and Charlotte Harbor support boating, paddling, birdwatching, and fishing, while nearby waterways are popular with manatee and dolphin watchers. The Peace River Wildlife Center cares for injured birds and other coastal wildlife and offers educational visits. The 30-acre Peace River Botanical & Sculpture Gardens combine tropical plantings with outdoor art. In town, History Park gives a glimpse of local heritage and hosts a farmers market, and paved trails along the harborfront invite long, breezy walks. For healthcare, retirees have access to HCA Florida Fawcett Hospital and other providers in the greater Charlotte County area.
Mount Airy, North Carolina
Situated in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains, Mount Airy is a small town of about 10,000 residents that feels like a step back in time. It is widely recognized as the inspiration for Mayberry in “The Andy Griffith Show,” and fans still come to see the streets that echo the fictional town, including a replica of Sheriff Andy Taylor's police cruiser. Housing in Mount Airy is relatively affordable, with median home prices in the low-to-mid $200,000s, comfortably below North Carolina’s statewide median in the $300,000s.
Retirees in Mount Airy can enjoy a wide mix of small-town and outdoor pleasures. Local streams and creeks provide opportunities for fishing, while nearby trails in the Blue Ridge offer rewarding hiking. Lovills Creek Lake is a popular spot for quiet days by the water. Wine enthusiasts can explore wineries across the Yadkin Valley Wine Region. On Main Street, visitors find independent shops, cafés, and frequent bluegrass events. Healthcare is provided by Northern Regional Hospital, and the RidgeCrest retirement community offers independent and assisted-living options for seniors who want a ready-made community.
Breaux Bridge, Louisiana
Set along Bayou Teche in St. Martin Parish, Breaux Bridge is a small city of around 7,500 residents, nearly 20 percent of whom are seniors. It is widely known as the “Crawfish Capital of the World,” a title celebrated every spring at the Breaux Bridge Crawfish Festival. Home values here often sit in the high-$100,000s, with some sources placing the typical listing price around $170,000, below Louisiana’s statewide median and appealing to budget-minded retirees.
Life in Breaux Bridge revolves around food, music, and the outdoors. Lake Martin, just outside town, is famous for its cypress-lined waters, birdwatching, and swamp tours that bring visitors close to herons, egrets, and alligators. Downtown Breaux Bridge is walkable and lined with galleries, boutiques, and cafés serving traditional Cajun dishes such as crawfish étouffée and boudin. The Crawfish Festival fills the streets with zydeco music and dancing each year. Residents rely on Ochsner St. Martin Hospital and clinics in the Lafayette metro area for healthcare, while local churches and community groups help keep older adults connected.
Lower Prices, Strong Communities
Retiring in the Southern United States does not have to come with a hefty price tag. These small towns combine affordable living with strong communities, access to healthcare, and plenty of ways to stay active. For retirees seeking lower housing costs, mild weather, and a comfortable pace of life, they offer a practical path to a retirement that feels both secure and richly satisfying.
