9 Quaint Southern Cities Where You Can Retire on $1,250 a Month (Or Less)

While many places in the U.S. are becoming increasingly more expensive, including some of the best cities for snowbirds, the dream of affordable living is still alive in some locales. In fact, with just $1,250 a month in your budget to cover rent, you can stretch your retirement dollars further and call these quaint Southern cities home.

Lazy days on wraparound porches, sipping sweet tea beneath Spanish moss–draped trees, await you in these welcoming cities that still feel like small towns.

Average Rent: $1,067

This port city is located in Georgia's famed Golden Isles, where life is lived on the water. The downtown is home to historic architecture and a 900-year-old oak tree, the epitome of quaint. Family festivals occur frequently in this small city of just over 15,000.

The cost of living in Brunswick is over 8% below the national average, impressive for a coastal gem.

Average Rent: $1,146

If you love fresh seafood, salty air, and local history, this coastal city of almost 50,000 souls should be on your radar. Outdoor and water activities abound, with plenty of modern amenities and entertainment options to balance the old school vibe.

Housing, utilities, groceries, and transportation are on the affordable side in Biloxi.

Average Rent: $990

On the banks of the Red River in Northern Louisiana is the Cajun hub Shreveport, with a population of just over 177,000. Residents love spending time by the river, as well as dining on soul food, enjoying live jazz, and strolling through gardens and galleries. Weekends somehow feel longer here.

Shreveport's overall cost of living is known to be low across the board.

Average Rent: $1,100

Mississippi's capital, the "City of Soul," is the state's largest metro with just under 144,000 residents. The Civil Rights Museum is the pride of Jackson, a city that is known for soul music, Southern cuisine, and the arts. Housing is notably affordable here, as is the cost of living, which is 17% below the national average.

Jackson is known for its tight-knit community and diverse demographics.

Average Rent: $1,102

Our first entry under the $1,000 mark is this charming North Carolina city with a thriving arts district in its downtown. The traffic is calm (for a city of roughly 260,400), the dining scene is surprisingly robust, breweries abound, and the mountains are right around the corner.

Groceries, utilities, and (especially) housing all cost less here than the national average.

Average Rent: $1,023

Florence (population of about 41,700) is only an hour's drive to the beach, providing Myrtle Beach access without the heftier price tag. A revitalized downtown anchors this "Southern belle of a city," which is known for its Pecan Festival and local happenings.

Locals say it's an underrated and wholesome place to live with a low cost of living.

Average Rent: $1,025

Perched in the Ouachita Mountains in the Diamond Lakes Region is this quaint city of about 35,000 residents. As the name suggests, natural hot springs are a major draw for wellness aficionados, but the downtown area has plenty to offer as well.

Utilities, transportation, and living costs are notably low here, where you can still afford a historic home.

Average Rent: $1,051

Elizabethtown is your quintessential small Southern City known for its hospitality, cute shops, and nearby outdoor activities. The cost of living is a whopping 17.2% below the national average, meaning life is affordable. Locals liken living in this city of 32,000 to being in an episode of Gilmore Girls.

The downtown area has plenty of shops, restaurants, and breweries to enjoy.

Average Rent: $877

The most affordable place on our list sits on the Tennessee River, a family-friendly city with over 17,000 residents. The city is growing steadily, but the cost of living remains low at 19% below the national average. Many blues, gospel, and soul musicians have called this historic city home.

You can find plenty of great noshes and historical destinations in the quaint downtown.

The cost of living may be skyrocketing in many of America's metropolitan areas, but these Southern cities of variable sizes are still on the affordable side, which can lower your financial stress. They're also rich in local flavor and Southern hospitality, making them inviting places to live.

Note that our data show there are affordable cities outside of the South, from Florida and Texas to New Mexico and beyond. So keep an open mind on your search for your new home.