25 Best Southern Cities To Retire in 2026

A crucial aspect of retirement planning is deciding where to settle down in your golden years. Choosing a city outside of your budget while living on a fixed income can be financially disastrous, with your location having the power to make or break your retirement. For those hoping to retire in the American South, knowing the best and most affordable cities can help plan the perfect southern retirement.

GOBankingRates consulted both U.S. News & World Report and Best Places, culling the 25 best Southern cities from the former, and the cost-of-living index score for each from the latter. That index places the national average cost of living index at 100 — meaning any city indexed under 100 has a cost of living below the national average, and any city indexed above 100 has a cost of living higher than the national average.

Additionally, each location’s overall ranking among all American cities (U.S. rank) and their median monthly rent are provided for context.

With this data, you can locate the towns that fall within your cost-of-living budget, and plan out the best southern retirement for you.

• U.S. rank: 207
• Cost-of-living index: 75.8
• Median monthly rent: $548

• U.S. rank: 301
• Cost-of-living index: 87.8
• Median monthly rent: $863

• U.S. rank: 44
• Cost-of-living index: 100.1
• Median monthly rent: $1,449

• U.S. rank: 73
• Cost-of-living index: 96.9
• Median monthly rent: $1,326

• U.S. rank: 272
• Cost-of-living index: 95.9
• Median monthly rent: $1,127

• U.S. rank: 489
• Cost-of-living index: 98.7
• Median monthly rent: $1,467

• U.S. rank: 218
• Cost-of-living index: 80.9
• Median monthly rent: $908

• U.S. rank: 108
• Cost-of-living index: 83.4
• Median monthly rent: $968

• U.S. rank: 68
• Cost-of-living index: 102.8
• Median monthly rent: $1,715

• U.S. rank: 3
• Cost-of-living index: 99.7
• Median monthly rent: $1,499

• U.S. rank: 179
• Cost-of-living index: 113
• Median monthly rent: $1,873

• U.S. rank: 166
• Cost-of-living index: 89
• Median monthly rent: $1,188

• U.S. rank: 111
• Cost-of-living index: 100.1
• Median monthly rent: $1,295

• U.S. rank: 296
• Cost-of-living index: 104.2
• Median monthly rent: $1,688

• U.S. rank: 203
• Cost-of-living index: 104.2
• Median monthly rent: $1,722

• U.S. rank: 409
• Cost-of-living index: 93.7
• Median monthly rent: $1,131

• U.S. rank: 6
• Cost-of-living index: 95.8
• Median monthly rent: $1,314

• U.S. rank: 362
• Cost-of-living index: 77
• Median monthly rent: $651

• U.S. rank: 90
• Cost-of-living index: 83
• Median monthly rent: $893

• U.S. rank: 278
• Cost-of-living index: 95.7
• Median monthly rent: $1,351

• U.S. rank: 216
• Cost-of-living index: 102.8
• Median monthly rent: $1,582

• U.S. rank: 253
• Cost-of-living index: 102.8
• Median monthly rent: $1,580

• U.S. rank: 14
• Cost-of-living index: 107.6
• Median monthly rent: $1,833

• U.S. rank: 323
• Cost-of-living index: 81.7
• Median monthly rent: $639

• U.S. rank: 271
• Cost-of-living index: 93.7
• Median monthly rent: $1,156

Photo disclaimer: Imagery is for representational purposes only and may not reflect exact locations listed.