Preparing for retirement requires more than just careful saving (though that’s very important as well). A wise retiree also will choose a retirement town or city that is affordable, so the person’s nest egg can last the rest of his or her life.
Learn More: How Far $750,000 in Retirement Savings Plus Social Security Goes in Every State
Check Out: 6 Big Shakeups Coming to Social Security in 2025
That’s why GOBankingRates has analyzed the data and compiled a list of the cheapest American cities to retire in. Eleven of the top 20 are located in the South. If you are looking for a city in the South that won’t drain your retirement savings, here are 20 of the best.
20. Louisville, Kentucky
- Population 65+: 15.9%
- Monthly cost of living (with mortgage): $3,305
- Livability: 66
Also See: How Long $1 Million in Retirement Will Last in Every State
Discover More: Here’s the Cost of Living in Every State
19. Winston-Salem, North Carolina
- Population 65+: 14.8%
- Monthly cost of living (with mortgage): $3,293
- Livability: 63
Explore More: Here’s How Much You Need To Earn To Be ‘Rich’ in Every State
18. Fayetteville, North Carolina
- Population 65+: 12.7%
- Monthly cost of living (with mortgage): $3,172
- Livability: 73
17. El Paso, Texas
- Population 65+: 13.9%
- Monthly cost of living (with mortgage): $3,129
- Livability: 81
16. Corpus Christi, Texas
- Population 65+: 15.0%
- Monthly cost of living (with mortgage): $3,119
- Livability: 80
15. Oklahoma City
- Population 65+: 13.3%
- Monthly cost of living (with mortgage): $3,084
- Livability: 81
14. Tulsa, Oklahoma
- Population 65+: 15.0%
- Monthly cost of living (with mortgage): $3,069
- Livability: 75
13. Mobile, Alabama
- Population 65+: 17.1%
- Monthly cost of living (with mortgage): $3,057
- Livability: 73
12. Lubbock, Texas
- Population 65+: 12.5%
- Monthly cost of living (with mortgage): $3,049
- Livability: 78
Read More: How Far $500,000 in Retirement Savings Plus Social Security Goes in Every State
11. Baltimore
- Population 65+: 14.9%
- Monthly cost of living (with mortgage): $3,003
- Livability: 77
10. Little Rock, Arkansas
- Population 65+: 15.2%
- Monthly cost of living (with mortgage): $2,988
- Livability: 72
9. Amarillo, Texas
- Population 65+: 14.8%
- Monthly cost of living (with mortgage): $2,903
- Livability: 66
8. Brownsville, Texas
- Population 65+: 12.6%
- Monthly cost of living (with mortgage): $2,885
- Livability: 79
Read Next: The Money You Need To Save Monthly To Retire Comfortably in Every State
7. Augusta, Georgia
- Population 65+: 14.8%
- Monthly cost of living (with mortgage): $2,836
- Livability: 64
6. Macon, Georgia
- Population 65+: 16.2%
- Monthly cost of living (with mortgage): $2,822
- Livability: 75
5. Montgomery, Alabama
- Population 65+: 15.6%
- Monthly cost of living (with mortgage): $2,771
- Livability: 64
4. Columbus, Georgia
- Population 65+: 14.4%
- Monthly cost of living (with mortgage): $2,750
- Livability: 64
For You: Cutting Expenses for Retirement? Here’s the No. 1 Thing To Get Rid of First
3. Birmingham, Alabama
- Population 65+: 16.2%
- Monthly cost of living (with mortgage): $2,678
- Livability: 67
2. Memphis, Tennessee
- Population 65+: 14.1%
- Monthly cost of living (with mortgage): $2,667
- Livability: 70
1. Shreveport, Louisiana
- Population 65+: 17.4%
- Monthly cost of living (with mortgage): $2,556
- Livability: 60
For this study, GOBankingRates analyzed the cities to find the cheapest places to retire. GOBankingRates identified cities with populations of at least 150,000 and a population percentage of residents aged 65 and over of at least 10%. Population and income data was sourced from the U.S. Census American Community Survey. Cost of living was determined using Sperling’s BestPlaces, the Bureau of Labor Statistics Consumer Expenditure Survey for retired households, Zillow and the Federal Reserve. The livability index was sourced from AreaVibes. All data was collected on and is up to date as of Feb. 18, 2025.
More From GOBankingRates
This article originally appeared on GOBankingRates.com: Cheapest Places To Retire in the South in 2025
