8 Charming Southern Cities to Retire on a Monthly Budget of $1,250 or Less

From temperate weather to friendly neighbors, the South is a dream retirement location for many seniors. Along with its famous local cuisines and rich cultural histories, the region has a notably low cost of living, which makes it an extra appealing locale if you're living on a fixed income and trying to stretch your retirement dollars further.

If you're living on a monthly budget of $1,250 or less, you'll want to keep reading to discover a list of eight southern cities full of charm and local flavor that may meet your retirement and affordability expectations.

Editor's Note: Unless otherwise noted, all home pricing data came from Redfin, while all rental data came from Zillow.

Median home price: $225,000

Average rent: $981 per month

Located midway between Charlotte and Myrtle Beach, Florence is perfectly placed for anyone who loves the coast as much as they love urban centers and cultural hubs. Of course, you don't need to leave Florence's boundaries to have a good time. 

From its arts and history museum to nearby strawberry fields, Florence has something for everyone to enjoy.

According to Redfin data, Florence's home prices have gone down 8.2% in the last year. If $225,000 is out of your budget, keep an eye on the area's housing market as falling prices could open up a home for you in the next year or so. 

Median home price: $152,450

Average rent: $850 per month

Gadsden is a homey, outdoor-focused city along Alabama's Coosa River. Outdoor attractions like Noccalula Falls, a 90-foot waterfall, are affordable and accessible for retirees and grandchildren alike. 

With its own art museum and cultural arts center, Gadsden has a thriving cultural scene that keeps its 32,000 residents educated and entertained year-round.

Median home price: $232,500

Average rent: $759 per month

While you can't dive directly into the thermal springs Hot Springs is named for, multiple bathhouses in the Hot Springs National Park give you the opportunity to unwind in the ancient, mineral-rich springs. 

If you're not in the mood for a soak, you can still enjoy the benefits of the natural springs by filling up your water bottle at one of several thermal spring fill-up stations. Rental data comes from apartments.com. 

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Median home price: $125,000

Average rent: $900 per month

Oakdale is a tiny town that prides itself on a close-knit sense of community with homegrown small-town values. The town's best-known attraction is easily the Leatherwood Museum, a small museum that details the region's unique history. As with most charming small towns in the South, you won't lack for scrumptious food, from fried chicken to fresh-caught seafood and catfish.

Median home price: $105,000

Average rent: $850 per month

For such a small town, Chatham isn't short on fascinating, well-preserved historic sites. The county courthouse dates back to 1853 and was declared a national monument in 1987. Several homes in the area were built during the same time period, and the 1813 clerk's office hosts a small museum with artifacts from both the Revolutionary War and Civil War.

The town's character hasn't changed much since World War II, and neither has its cost of living: food costs are almost 30% lower in Chatham than the national average. Median home price data was pulled from Realtor.com.

Median home price: $73,000

Average rent: $771 per month

Mississippi is well known for its fascinating music scene, and Clarksdale is no exception. As the birthplace of blues music, Clarksdale's "juke joints," bars, and clubs hold frequent live blues music nights. 

You can learn more about the region's musical history at the Delta Blues Museum or see music come to life in one of the dozen or more music festivals held throughout the year.

Median home price: $209,000

Average rent: $850 per month

Attalla is home to Big Wills Creek Campground, a beautiful outdoor area where residents and visitors can enjoy river-based activities like kayaking, tubing, and canoeing. And, thanks to Alabama's climate, the activities can last the better part of the year.

Attalla's below-average rent can help you get ahead financially. With your extra savings, you can visit the fascinating Tigers for Tomorrow Exotic Animal Preserve, which is home to tigers as well as 160 other animal species.

Median home price: $218,000

Average rent: $882 per month

Whether you're craving shrimp and grits, home-style barbecue, or farm-fresh ribs, there's a restaurant in Valdosta or its smaller surrounding towns that your tastebuds will love.

Even better, you won't have to pay exorbitant prices to access the tastiest regional food the South can offer. Valdosta's cost of living is 3.1% lower than the rest of the nation on average, but its food costs are nearly 20% below average, while its health care costs are nearly 30% lower. Data is from Redfin.

Relocating to an area with an affordable cost of living is just one key element of retirement readiness.

Retiring to a region you genuinely love rather than one you're just putting up with is another key part of a successful retirement. If the cities on this list don't appeal to your sensibilities, just keep looking. There's a charming city somewhere in the South with your name on it.