25 Best Southern Cities To Retire on a Budget of $3,000 a Month

The South is an amazing draw, especially if you’re on the cusp of retirement. After all, who doesn’t dream of warm climates, gorgeous landscapes, and proximity to attractions?

So, what do you look for? An abundance of affordable housing, number one. In your senior years, you might not want all of the upkeep of a home and may be content to live in a condo or apartment, especially in a 55+ community. Then, you want to look at the area’s cost of living in terms of utility expenses. Naturally, they will be cheaper in a smaller space. Finally, what’s around you? If you’re conveniently located to stores, restaurants, and attractions, you won’t have hefty gas or other travel expenses.

We’ve scoured the web, analyzing housing and regional data to come up with a list of affordable cities in the south where you could easily live on $3,000 per month.

1. Cape Canaveral, Florida

Retirees of Cape Canaveral will have access to sandy beaches and nearby attractions. There is an abundance of retirement communities in the city, so you can find plenty of activities to add to your social calendar.

According to AreaVibes, the cost of rent averages around $800 to $900 per month. Plus, it has a livability score of 82, which means it has most of the resources you’ll need to live comfortably.

2. Huntsville, Alabama

In Huntsville, the average rent sits between $800 and $900 per month. There are plenty of outdoor activities and with its mild climate, you can enjoy them year-round.

The city has an 81 livability score and is rated second in the entire state for its convenience. The cost of living score is 98.

3. Clarkesville, Georgia

If you want to slow it down in retirement, the small-town feel of Clarksville, Georgia will likely fit the bill. Don’t let that fool you into thinking it’s boring, though. There’s plenty to do in this tight-knit community, including an abundance of outdoor activities.

Rent here will cost $677 per month on average. AreaVibes has given the city a livability score of 71 and a cost of living score of 92, which falls below the baseline of the country as a whole, which sits at 100.

4. Augusta, Georgia

Augusta is another city in Georgia that is an excellent place to retire on a $3,000 monthly budget. It’s an area rife with history, as evidenced by its museums, plus you can take advantage of the gorgeous southern weather year-round.

The average rent price is $908 and the city has a livability score of 64, which is still good, albeit a little lower than some of our other recommendations. Then, the cost of living is 85, which is 15% below the national average.

5. Florence, Alabama

Alabama once again hits our list, this time with Florence showcasing its history of well-known figures like Helen Keller and Frank Lloyd Wright. It’s also known as the economic hub of its region.

Here, the median rent ask is $655 per month. Florence excels both in the cost of living and the livability score which clock in at 86 and 82, respectively.

6. McAllen, Texas

A shopping mecca, McAllen, Texas is revered for its low cost of living and tropical climate that ensures you’ll be warm year-round. You can expect to pay around $800 per month for rent in this cultural city.

The livability score is 75, which is considered excellent, and the cost of living hits 86, 14% lower than the national score and 7% lower than Texas.

7. Robstown, Texas

A suburb of Corpus Christi, Robstown has a lot of historical roots. It was once the site of 18 cotton gins. The median rent price in this city is less than $800 per month.

The city ranks pretty high on the livability score scale at 79 and its cost of living is 82, which is even better than McAllen.

8. Harlingen, Texas

If you want to go even cheaper in the Lone Star State, let us introduce you to Harlingen. Located in the Rio Grande Valley, there are plenty of outdoor activities, including birding, to keep you busy.

Here, the average monthly rent will set you back just under $750. In addition to low housing costs, the livability score of 73 puts you in close proximity to all of the resources you need. The cost of living, which is 77, is 17% lower than the state.

9. Tupelo, Mississippi

Tupelo is the birthplace of Rock n’ Roll king, Elvis Presley. There’s plenty of shopping and entertainment to keep you busy. The city is also pretty cheap to live in, with average rent costing around $795 per month.

Tupelo’s livability score is 72 and its cost of living is 86, which is 14% lower than the national average, but 3% higher than the state as a whole.

10. Huntington, West Virginia

Living in Huntington will put you in close proximity to both Ohio and Kentucky on the Ohio River, where the three states meet. A strong history, plenty of green spaces, and entertainment will keep you busy during your golden years.

The average rent in Huntington is $727, which means you’ll be under one-third of your monthly budget. Huntington has a livability score of 81 and a cost of living score of 86, which is 14% below the national average but 1% higher than West Virginia.

11. Okmulgee, Oklahoma

Okmulgee is known as the Muscogee Nation capital and is very popular for its rodeo shows. The average rent here is $644 per month, which makes it very affordable.

The livability score in Okmulgee is a bit lower at 62, but still within range to ensure that you’ll have the resources you need. The cost of living however is 79, 8% lower than Oklahoma in its entirety.

12. Cumberland, Maryland

Cumberland, Maryland may not seem like the South, but it technically is. It’s also a former transportation center, including the location of the United States’ first National Road.

Here, rent prices hover around $700 per month. Cumberland’s livability score is 78 and its cost of living is 85, which is astonishingly 28% lower than the state as a whole.

13. Danville, Virginia

Danville, Virginia offers more of a rural feel, which is great if you’re trying to get away from the hustle and bustle of life. There are many parks where you can enjoy walks and enjoy a low-key existence.

The median rent asked in the city is $688 per month. The livability score is 77 and the cost of living is 24% less than the state at 83.

14. Glasgow, Kentucky

It may not be Scotland, but Glasgow, Kentucky certainly honors its namesake. It hosts the Scottish Highland Games yearly and has a huge farming industry.

Median rent amounts in Glasgow are less than $750. You’ll enjoy a livability score of 76 and an 87 cost of living score, which is below the state’s average.

15. Hattiesburg, Mississippi

Hattiesburg is a hub city where many modes of transportation, including highways and railroads meet. It’s also a bustling college town. Here, you can expect median rent prices to fall in the neighborhood of $800.

In terms of livability, it has a 78 score, you’ll find tons of amenities in the region, given its nature. The cost of living score is 87, 5% higher than the state.

16. Bossier City, Louisiana

Over the years, Bossier City has undergone many changes. It used to be an export hub, then transitioned to a railroad town and so much more. It’s now a tourist haven but remains an affordable place to live.

The median rent comes in at under $1000 per month. Bossier City has a livability score of 70 and a cost of living score of 96, which is higher than Louisiana, but still lower than the US average.

17. Spartanburg, South Carolina

Spartanburg, South Carolina was once the site of several battles of the Revolutionary War and still contains a lot of relics of history, including homes from the late 1800s and a plantation that dates back to the 1700s.

Living here would only set you back an average of $850 or so per month. You’ll also enjoy a good quality of life with a livability score of 75 and a cost of living score of 91.

18. Little Rock, Arkansas

The capital city of Arkansas has a lot to offer from historic landmarks to an eclectic mix of food. You’ll have a good blend of city and suburban life here.

Living here won’t cost you an arm and a leg, either, with median rent asks hovering just below $900. The city has a livability score of 72 and a cost of living score of 98.

19. Johnson City, Tennessee

There’s lots to see and do in Johnson City, including a vibrant arts and entertainment community. There are also plenty of outdoor activities to keep you active, including hiking and biking.

The rent in Johnson City costs an average of $775 per month. The area has a 75 livability score and a cost of living score of 97, which 8% higher than the state.

20. New Iberia, Louisiana

New Iberia is the very definition of a melting pot. You’ll find a large mix of cultures here, including Creole, French, Spanish, and Native American. It’s also home to the famous Tabasco sauce.

The average rent in New Iberia is just under $800 per month. The city has a livability score of 74 and a cost of living score of 87, which falls 4% below the state’s overall score.

21. Macon, Georgia

If you love music, you’ll find plenty of history in the city “Where Soul Lives.” There’s lots of Native American and African-American history to be discovered here, as well. The stunning architecture and Southern charm will welcome you.

The average rent in Macon is between $800 and $850. The city has a livability score of 75 and its cost of living rating, 89, is 4% lower than the state’s score.

22. Jacksonville, North Carolina

In Jacksonville, North Carolina you’ll find a heavy military presence as the Marines train there. There are also beaches and a gorgeous coastline, where you can enjoy your golden years soaking up the sun if you choose.

Living in Jacksonville will cost an average of $1,032 per month. The city has been assigned a livability score of 72 and a cost of living score of 97.

23. Titusville, Florida

Titusville is known for its views of the Kennedy Space Center where you can watch spaceships launch and the American Space Museum. It’s also a great place to live if you like to spend time outdoors golfing, birding, and fishing.

If you choose to live in Titusville, you can expect to pay around $1,000 per month in rent. The city is ranked 84 for livability and has a cost of living score of 96, 2% lower than the Sunshine State.

24. Aiken, South Carolina

Aiken is known for several things, including a lively downtown and a rich arts culture. It’s also the “Polo Capital of the World” and you can catch thoroughbred races, if that tickles your fancy.

Living in Aiken is pretty affordable, too, with an average rent ask of $971. The city has a livability score of 68 and a cost of living score of 95, which ranks 2% higher than the state.

25. Dumas, Texas

Dumas was named after Louis Dumas, who developed the town, back in 1891. Since then, it has evolved and has been the site of some filming due to its wide open landscape.

The average rental price in Dumas is $909. A livability score of 78 speaks to the quality of life and the cost of living is 88, 5% lower than Texas as a whole.