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12 Places To Retire That Are Just Like Hawaii (But Aren’t in Hawaii)

If Hawaii is too expensive for your retirement budget, check out these 12 mainland cities.

By Roxana Loomes

Edited by Calista Headrick

Updated March 23, 2025

You might dream of retiring in Hawaii, from incredible beaches and the Pacific Ocean to a slow, laid-back lifestyle and fantastic food. But what if you can't afford it?

Believe it or not, some places in the Lower 48 can help you recreate Hawaii's vibe for much less. Check out these 12 mainland cities where you can save money and enjoy Hawaii's most desirable features for a stress-free retirement.

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Austin, Texas

Despite not being on the West Coast, Austin shares some of the same exciting vibe as Hawaii. This Texas city is eclectic and cosmopolitan but gives retirees plenty to do both indoors and outdoors.

Besides its mouth-watering cuisine — another shared point with Hawaii — Texas's capital welcomes retirees with a slightly higher cost of living than the national average. However, that is still well below Hawaii's costs.

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Charleston, South Carolina

Charleston is one of the few places on the mainland that compare favorably with Hawaii and isn't in Florida, California, or Texas. This history-rich city offers seniors beautiful beaches and a vibrant food culture.

Charleston isn't the most affordable location in South Carolina. However, its median home price is almost half the price of Hawaii.

Delray Beach, Florida

Delray Beach also shares something with Hawaii — namely, year-round sunshine. And if you appreciate the strong Japanese culture in Hawaii, Delray Beach has you covered with the Morikami Museum & Japanese Gardens.

The Florida city is also more affordable than Hawaii. If you don't mind trading the Pacific for the Atlantic Ocean, it's one of the best Hawaii-like retirement spots.

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Destin, Florida

Destin is a good choice if you love Hawaii for its proximity to the ocean and serene beach areas. The city is the home of the Big Kahuna's Water & Adventure Park, which attracts many families to the area, but it still has many quiet, unassuming spots you can frequent.

Destin's popularity with tourists translates to somewhat higher prices than other areas of Florida. Still, it beats Hawaii when it comes to housing costs and grocery prices.

Galveston, Texas

This beautiful seaside city used to be an important port. If you move to Galveston, you can enjoy a laid-back city life and still have plenty of historic buildings and museums to explore.

Like Hawaii, Galveston offers lots of outdoor adventure and pristine shorelines. Its location in the Houston metro area means it's not the cheapest retirement destination in Texas, but it's still significantly less expensive than Hawaii.

Grand Isle, Louisiana

Like Hawaii, Grand Isle offers residents white sandy beaches, a variety of wildlife, and incredible seafood feasts. It also has a small-town feel that'll help you recharge.

Grand Isle has the added benefit of being close to New Orleans. Despite that proximity, its cost of living is surprisingly low.

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Mobile, Alabama

One can argue that the Gulf Coast of Alabama couldn't be more different than Hawaii's Pacific waters. However, you can still enjoy the same water activities and delicious, fresh food in both locations.

Mobile's median home prices are 92% lower than the national average. While summers can be hot, the city more than makes up for it with its tight-knit community, along with its Southern hospitality and charm.

Oxnard, California

Oxnard, California, shares Hawaii's beautiful shorelines, beaches, and pleasant coastal climate. The similarities don't end there, either. Despite its proximity to Los Angeles, Oxnard is primarily an agricultural city, much like Hawaii.

Unlike Hawaii, Oxnard offers retirees lower median home prices and rents. Coupled with the lower overall cost of living and the fact that you'll save money on travel by not leaving the mainland, these advantages make Oxnard a great alternative to Hawaii.

Pensacola, Florida

Like Hawaii, Pensacola is a popular tourist destination. Most visitors enjoy the ocean, beautiful beaches, fresh seafood, and their favorite outdoor activities.

Pensacola is a great substitute for Hawaii if your retirement budget is lower than the nationwide average. Its median home price is 40% lower, and groceries and bills are much cheaper than in the Aloha State.

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Puerto Rico

Puerto Rico is a tropical paradise, much like Hawaii. It's also an island, so it perfectly captures the charm that draws tourists and retirees to Hawaii.

Puerto Rico is a good choice if you've always wanted to live the carefree, laid-back island life on a realistic budget. You may be able to stretch your dollars further than in Hawaii on things like housing, although the territory is nowhere near as popular with tourists.

Ventura, California

If your main attraction to Hawaii is the Pacific Ocean, you're not alone. Many seniors share your love of this huge body of water — and Ventura gives you access to the same waters that lick the tranquil beaches of Hawaii.

While the two locations match each other when it comes to housing costs, California's cost of living is still lower than Hawaii's.

Wilmington, North Carolina

If you enjoy Hawaii because you enjoy being a tourist, Wilmington, North Carolina, may be right up your alley. This historic coastal city has so many things to explore that you'll feel like a tourist even during retirement.

Besides the beautiful beaches and nature, Wilmington welcomes retirees with a low median home price, affordable health care, and numerous outdoor pursuits.

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Bottom line

With a median home price almost 60% higher than the national average and an income of more than $150,000 required to live comfortably as a couple, the island paradise of Hawaii remains out of reach for many seniors.

Still, you can enjoy a similar lifestyle and avoid wasting money by picking one of these cities with a similar vibe. These locations offer retirees coastal living, wonderful shorelines, a pleasant climate year-round, and amazing food — at a fraction of Hawaii's steep cost of living.

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