How Much Snowbird Retirees Spend Monthly Living Between Two Homes

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As living costs and housing markets continue to shift into 2026, retirees who adopt a snowbird lifestyle where they split their time between a northern home and a southern seasonal residence must plan carefully. Maintaining two residences comes with unique cost dynamics that can vary significantly depending on whether you rent seasonally or own both properties.

What “Snowbird” Living Means Financially

Snowbird living refers to retirees who divide the year between two (or sometimes more) homes, typically leaving colder northern regions during fall and winter in favor of warmer climates.

While many snowbirds head to familiar U.S. destinations such as Florida, Arizona, Texas or the Carolinas, interest in warmer locations beyond the United States appears to be growing. According to AARP’s 2025 Travel Trends survey of U.S. adults age 50 and older, 44% of respondents planning trips in 2025 said they were considering international travel, up from 37% the previous year.

Popular regions included Europe, Latin America and the Caribbean, with Mexico ranking among the top destinations, alongside Italy, Spain, France and other warm European countries.

• From a financial standpoint, this lifestyle usually involves one of the following arrangements:
• Renting a seasonal property for several months each year, either domestically or abroad.
• Owning two homes, such as a primary residence in the north and a winter home in a warmer region.
• Rotating between locations, splitting time and expenses across multiple residences or long-term rentals.

Each option comes with its own mix of housing, travel, healthcare and day-to-day living costs. Expenses can vary widely depending on whether retirees stay within the U.S. or choose international destinations, where housing and daily living costs may be lower but travel, insurance and currency considerations play a larger role. As a result, every snowbird arrangement has a distinct monthly cost profile that requires careful planning.

Seasonal Housing Costs: Renting vs. Owning

Before deciding whether to buy or rent, it’s important to understand the range of monthly housing costs snowbirds can expect, which vary widely depending on location, property type and whether the home is owned or leased seasonally.

Seasonal Rental Costs

For retirees who rent a second home or condo in a snowbird destination instead of buying:

• Seasonal rental rates in popular snowbird markets like Florida typically range from $2,500 to $5,500 per month for a condo or single-family home during peak winter season, according to Private Communities Registry, LLC. 
• In some high-demand areas (e.g., beachfront locations), rents can run as high as $6,000 per month, while more modest rentals (apartments, less central locations, or mobile homes) may cost as little as $500 to $1,500 per month, according to Bedrock Communities.

These seasonal costs are typically in addition to maintaining the primary residence year-round.

Owning Two Homes 

If a retiree owns a second home instead of renting seasonally, expenses may break down into:

• Mortgage payments: dependent on home price, but Private Communities Registry, LLC says median second-home prices in snowbird states often fall in the $250,000 to $600,000+ range, with higher prices in coastal Florida and Arizona.
• Property taxes and insurance: Second-home costs vary widely, with some Florida policies particularly high due to weather risk, as AARP reports.
• HOA or lot fees: In planned communities or mobile home parks, monthly fees can be significant, for example, $300 to $1,200 for lot rent in Florida mobile home communities, according to MH Giant.
• Maintenance and utilities: Even when unoccupied for part of the year, these costs continue.

According to AARP, a common financial planning rule of thumb is to ensure that combined monthly housing costs (primary + second home) do not exceed 35% of monthly retirement income to keep your lifestyle sustainable without depleting savings. 

Total Monthly Snowbird Living Expenses 

Whether renting or owning, retirees face broader monthly living expenses beyond housing. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Consumer Expenditure Survey (2024, age 65+) via FRED, average monthly expenses for common categories such as food, healthcare, transportation and utilities provide a useful baseline for planning a snowbird lifestyle and are as follows:

While individual spending will vary by location and personal choices, this table highlights the core monthly costs snowbird retirees can expect for food, healthcare, transportation and utilities when planning a comfortable seasonal lifestyle.

Key Financial Considerations for Snowbirds

Beyond the basics of housing and daily living, snowbird retirees need to account for the extra costs that come with seasonal living like traveling back and forth, maintaining health coverage on the road and enjoying hobbies or leisure activities, which can all add up each month.

Travel and Logistics

Travel to and from the seasonal residence, whether by car, train, or flight, adds expenses that vary by distance and mode of travel and snowbirds may also incur unexpected costs for trips home due to family events, emergencies, or healthcare needs.

Health Insurance and Coverage

Retirees must consider Medicare supplementary plans or travel/health insurance that covers out-of-network care, which commonly adds one to $200 dollars per month, according to Medicare Supplement.

Lifestyle Choices

Data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics shows that older U.S. households (age 65-74) spend roughly $3,122 per year on entertainment, or about $260 per month on average. For snowbirds with more active lifestyles, such as frequent golf outings, boating or cultural events, it’s reasonable to budget up to an additional 500 per month on discretionary entertainment and leisure beyond the baseline. 

Is the Snowbird Lifestyle Affordable?

For retirees dreaming of winters in the sun, the snowbird lifestyle is within reach, but it comes with a price tag that deserves careful planning. Monthly expenses typically start around $5,000 for a modest setup and can climb past $8,500 for larger homes or a very active lifestyle filled with golf, boating, cultural outings or travel.

By thinking ahead, choosing rentals or affordable destinations, budgeting for travel and health coverage and factoring in hobbies, snowbirds can enjoy the freedom of seasonal living, warm weather and new adventures, all while keeping their finances secure and stress-free.

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