10 Quaint Southern Cities Where You Can Retire on $945 a Month (Or Less)

If you are hoping to make your retirement savings go further, the South is worth a serious look. Warm weather is part of the draw, but the bigger story is rent. A recent FinanceBuzz study of metro areas across the country found plenty of Southern cities where the typical renter pays well under $945 a month, which could free up room in your budget for traveling more, hobbies, or time with family.

Each of the 10 cities below has a median monthly rent of less than $945, according to rent data included in FinanceBuzz's best cities for snowbirds study.

Editor's note: Rent figures reflect median monthly rent from the FinanceBuzz best cities for snowbirds study. City descriptions draw on widely available public information about each location.

Median rent: $917

Bristol straddles the Tennessee and Virginia state line, tucked into the Appalachian Highlands where mountain views and hiking trails are minutes from downtown. It is also the officially recognized Birthplace of Country Music, so live shows and the Birthplace of Country Music Museum anchor a walkable historic downtown.

For anyone who likes a little adrenaline, Bristol Motor Speedway brings big NASCAR weekends to town, all without the cost of a bigger city.

Median rent: $940

Out on the north-central Oklahoma plains, Enid offers a quiet, affordable base with more culture than its size suggests. The city supports its own symphony orchestra and a compact arts district, and Government Springs Park gives residents an easy green space downtown.

Museums, a children's science center, and a full calendar of community events could make it easy to stay busy and meet people after a move.

Median rent: $899

Sitting on the Red River in the center of Louisiana, Alexandria puts the outdoors within easy reach, with the vast Kisatchie National Forest a short drive away. Active retirees will find no shortage of places to fish, paddle, or walk.

In town, a lively farmers market and a strong local dining scene give the city a friendly, unhurried feel that pairs well with the low rent.

Median rent: $934

Set in the foothills below North Carolina's Blue Ridge Mountains, Hickory has landed on more than one list of the country's most affordable places to live. The savings extend to rent, but the setting is the real appeal.

Lake Hickory, a growing network of greenways, and a revitalized downtown around Union Square give residents plenty to do close to home.

Median rent: $915

Anniston sits at the edge of the Talladega National Forest, a strong draw for retirees who want to spend time outdoors year-round. The Chief Ladiga Trail offers miles of paved cycling and walking close by.

The town also punches above its weight culturally, with the Anniston Museum of Natural History and the Berman Museum of World History, plus nearby NASCAR racing at Talladega for race-day fans.

Median rent: $906

Fort Smith is nestled into a bend of the Arkansas River on the Oklahoma border, and it pairs low rent with genuine history. The Fort Smith National Historic Site and the U.S. Marshals Museum tell the story of the old frontier.

A revitalized downtown, riverfront trails, and a broad selection of restaurants round out an easygoing place to settle in on a fixed budget.

Median rent: $928

In northeast Louisiana along the Ouachita River, Monroe gives nature lovers quick access to spots like the Black Bayou Lake National Wildlife Refuge, a fine place to hike or watch birds. For its size, the town offers a surprising amount to explore.

Local landmarks include the Biedenharn Museum and Gardens, tied to the first bottler of Coca-Cola, plus a small zoo and gardens along the water.

Median rent: $899

Decatur sits on the Tennessee River with a pair of well-preserved historic districts and a downtown full of restaurants for easy nights out. The river shapes daily life here, from boating to riverside festivals.

Just outside town, the Wheeler National Wildlife Refuge draws migrating birds each winter, including sandhill and endangered whooping cranes, giving residents a free front-row seat to the season.

Median rent: $939

Texarkana famously sits right on the Texas-Arkansas border, and choosing the Texas side comes with a practical perk: no state income tax, which could help a retirement income stretch further. The historic Union Station and the restored Perot Theatre anchor the city's arts scene.

A busy downtown arts and historic district, along with a full community events calendar, makes it easier to put down roots and find your people.

Median rent: $897

In the southeast corner of Alabama, Dothan sits close to both the Florida and Georgia lines, which puts an occasional Gulf Coast beach day within reach without paying coastal prices to live there. Known as the Peanut Capital of the World, the city leans into its farm-country roots.

Plenty of dining options and a run of festivals through the year, including the long-running National Peanut Festival, give the town a warm, sociable rhythm.

Moving to a smaller Southern city could meaningfully free up your retirement budget, and these 10 towns show how far below $945 the typical rent can fall once you look past the big metros. Lower rent is money you could redirect toward the parts of retirement you actually look forward to.

Before you commit, it is worth visiting in more than one season. Several of these cities sit in the Appalachian foothills or along inland rivers, so winters can feel cooler and summers more humid than the coastal South, and spending a few days in a place is the best way to know whether it fits the life you want.

This article is for informational purposes only and should not be considered investment advice.