Retirement Retired Life

7 Places to Retire That Feel Just Like Florida - but Way Cheaper

These destinations offer the same perks for less.

By Josh Koebert , Edited by Laura Hohenstein

Updated Sept. 26, 2026

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Florida's status as the default retirement destination for Americans who dread cold winters is entrenched. However, the math isn't in its favor anymore. Florida's average home price is now $378,167, and insurance costs have skyrocketed.

The state's hurricane exposure has led to soaring premiums and limited insurance availability. Some homeowners pay thousands of dollars a year for coverage.

With no income tax, Florida deserves a spot in your retirement plan. Still, if you want the Florida lifestyle rather than the ZIP code, other options are better.

Let's look at seven destinations that combine warm weather and a slower pace, often at a substantially lower cost.

Editor's note: All housing data comes from Zillow, unless otherwise stated.

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Gulfport, Mississippi

Best for: The beach lifestyle without paying Florida coastal prices.

Gulfport has a more relaxed, less resort-heavy feel than many Florida beach towns, with seafood restaurants, casinos, golf, and a growing retiree population.

The biggest draw is the price. Gulfport's average home sale price is $205,733, and the overall cost of living is about 31% below the national average, according to Redfin. Mississippi exempts Social Security and most retirement income from taxes and has no estate or inheritance tax.

However, you're still on the Gulf Coast. Wind, flood, and homeowners insurance deserve the same scrutiny here as they do in Florida.

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Mobile, Alabama

Best for: Gulf Coast access without living directly on an expensive beach.

Mobile offers a little bit of everything Florida retirees tend to like: warm weather, Southern hospitality, beaches, and a relaxed pace.

Housing is another major advantage. The average Mobile home sale price is $199,226. Overall living costs are also substantially lower; Alabama's statewide cost-of-living index is about 10% below Florida's.

Alabama isn't an income-tax-free state, but Social Security benefits are exempt from state income tax. The state also has low property taxes on owner-occupied homes.

Corpus Christi, Texas

Best for: Beaches, warm weather, and tax simplicity without Florida's housing prices.

Corpus Christi delivers perhaps the most straightforward Florida substitute on this list: warm weather, beaches, boating, and no state individual income tax.

The housing difference is significant. Corpus Christi's average house price is $224,996. Its overall cost of living is roughly 14% below the national average.

The trade-off? Texas has significantly higher property taxes than Florida, so you should compare the total tax bill rather than focusing only on the zero-income-tax headline.

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Tucson, Arizona

Best for: Sun worshippers who'd rather trade humidity for desert mountains.

Tucson offers a completely different version of the sunshine lifestyle. It entices retirees with hiking and biking trails, golf courses, and desert parks, while its population numbers support plenty of restaurants, cultural attractions, and health care services.

The average home price is about $323,949, nearly $50,000 below Florida's statewide median. Arizona has a 2.5% flat individual income tax, so it doesn't match Florida on taxes. But it specifically exempts Social Security retirement benefits from state income tax.

The obvious downside is summer heat. Tucson doesn't match Florida if your dream retirement involves sitting on a beach in January. It's better suited to someone who loves Florida for its sunshine and outdoor lifestyle.

Las Cruces, New Mexico

Best for: Sunshine, warm winters, and affordable housing.

If you don't need the ocean outside your door, Las Cruces is a sunny, dry alternative. Outdoor recreation, golf, hiking, and scenic drives are major draws, while the relatively small-city atmosphere suits retirees seeking a slower pace.

An average home in Las Cruces sells for $291,232. New Mexico has a state income tax, but Social Security receives a significant tax break. In 2026, taxpayers below certain income thresholds receive a full exemption on Social Security benefits; higher-income taxpayers receive a partial exemption.

One downside is that, while Las Cruces has local medical services, retirees who expect frequent access to highly specialized care should investigate providers before moving.

Chattanooga, Tennessee

Best for: The relaxed Southern lifestyle and outdoor recreation.

Chattanooga proves that a Florida-style retirement doesn't necessarily require a coast. This Tennessee city has a mild Southern climate, outdoor recreation, and a more affordable lifestyle than many larger Sun Belt metros.

Chattanooga's average home sale price is $322,295. Like Florida, Tennessee has no state income tax, and its cost of living is 13% lower than the U.S. average.

Instead of Florida's palm trees and ocean beaches, Chattanooga welcomes you with a warm Southern climate, water, mountains, and an active lifestyle.

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Savannah, Georgia

Best for: Coastal access plus history, culture, and a strong sense of place.

Like Florida, this historic city has mild winters, Spanish moss, coastal waterways, and pristine beaches.

The average home sells for $325,155, below Florida's statewide median. Georgia does have a state income tax, but Social Security benefits are exempt. Residents age 62 and older also qualify for a substantial retirement-income exclusion covering pensions, annuities, interest, dividends, and other qualifying income.

Savannah isn't perfect or immune to coastal storms. Yet if you're drawn to Florida for its weather, beaches, and Southern atmosphere, it offers a similar version of that lifestyle.

Bottom line

Florida isn't out of the race entirely. Its warm winters, beaches, recreational opportunities, retiree infrastructure, and lack of state income tax are hard to ignore. Still, its luster has faded in recent years.

Before choosing, visit. Do it more than once, price out the actual home you want, and get homeowners and flood insurance quotes. Check property taxes, HOA fees, and utilities. And look at the state's tax treatment of Social Security, pensions, IRA withdrawals, and other income.

To keep more of your money, build a side-by-side annual budget for Florida and your top two alternatives. Remember: The cheapest home isn't always the cheapest retirement.

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