The 11 Best Beach Towns To Retire To in 2025 (And Most Are Affordable To Boot!)

Ready for a relaxing environment that boosts both your physical and mental health? How about one with a plethora of outdoor recreation opportunities and stunning natural beauty to take advantage of — with great healthcare and public transportation to boot? When it comes to relocating after retirement, it’s understandable that you’re likely interested in a place where you can live a laid-back lifestyle but still have fun adventures at your fingertips. And in these best beach towns to retire? You can enjoy all that and more.

Let’s dive in!

The 11 Best Beach Towns To Retire

Looking for majestic views, ways to maintain an active lifestyle, an escape from bone-chilling winters, or affordable housing options? No matter your beach retirement goals, this list has you covered — with some spots checking all these boxes! Plus, no matter your preferred location, we have you covered. From awe-inspiring California enclaves to historic East Coast locales, there’s something for every retiree. 

1. Myrtle Beach, South Carolina

• Average rent (one-bedroom): $1,625
• Average home value: $303,200
• State income tax:  0%-6.3%
• Cost of living: 90.4
• Population 65+ years: 22.3%
• Healthcare in Myrtle Beach: Myrtle Beach is home to excellent healthcare facilities for retirees, including Conway Medical Center, Grand Strand Health, McLeod Health, and Tidelands Health.

Where is the best place to retire by the beach? People over 60, in particular, think Myrtle Beach is one of the best beach towns to retire in because of its affordability. In fact, its housing prices and cost of living are much lower than hotspots on the West Coast.

Aside from the beaches, there are various activities available in the area, such as a gospel brunch at The House of Blues and a visit to the art museum, which hosts 10 to 12 exhibits throughout the year.

Pensacola, Florida, is the best coastal town to retire to if you like warm weather and want to maintain an active lifestyle

2. Pensacola, Florida

• Average rent (one-bedroom): $1,575
• Average home value: $260,300
• State income tax: No state income tax
• Cost of living: 89
• Population 65+ years: 20.2%
• Healthcare in Jacksonville: Pensacola has two of the nation’s top 100 hospitals for orthopedic surgery: Ascension Sacred Heart and HCA Florida West Hospital.

The city of Pensacola, Florida, is situated at the northwest tip of the state, sitting along Pensacola Bay and the Gulf of Mexico. It’s a town known for its stunning beach and affordable cost of living, which makes it one of the best coastal towns to retire to. Seniors who settle in Pensacola may not be working a 9-5 anymore, but they’ll have plenty of ways to stay active, whether by hiking in Big Lagoon State Park or kicking up their heels — and maybe a little sand, too — at Bands on the Beach, a free outdoor concert series.

Top 10 Coastal Towns Where You Can Afford To Retire If you’re on a fixed income or budget, here’s a list of affordable coastal towns to retire to with their average home values: Calabash, NC: $351,000 Arapahoe, NC: $265,800 Lilian, AL: $317,600 Ashtabula, OH: $145,100 Jacksonville, FL: $294,200 Newport News, VA: $278,600 Atlantic City, NJ: $223,400 Grand Isle, LA: $192,800 Corpus Christi, TX: $218,400 Waveland, MS: $212,000

3. Biloxi, Mississippi 

• Average rent (all bedrooms): $1,050
• Average home value: $219,700
• State income tax: 4.7%
• Cost of living: 82.6
• Population 65+ years: 15.1%
• Healthcare in Biloxi: There are several facilities in the region, including the Biloxi VA Medical Center and Merit Health Biloxi.

What are the best beach towns to retire in if you’re on a fixed income? For many, these are located in Mississippi. The old Mississippi town of Biloxi is located on the Mississippi Sound and Gulf of Mexico. It has several casinos and miles of white sand beaches, but it’s also known for its unique attractions. Take the Beauvoir Estate, for example, which was the home of Jefferson Davis. The Ohr-O'Keefe Museum of Art was also designed by Frank Gehry, a postmodern architect, and one of the town's most popular golf courses is the Windance Country Club.

Q: Where is the most affordable beach town to retire in the world?  A: With a cost of living for one person, including rent, averaging around $700 per month, Hua Hin, Thailand, is one of the best beach towns to retire in for those who have a passport and a strong desire to live by the water — but not a ton of retirement savings. If you’re not a fan of the ex-pat life, what is the most affordable beach to live on in America? Out of every place on this list, Biloxi, Mississippi, is the most affordable beach town to retire to, as it has the lowest home value and cost of living index.

 

Duluth is one of the best beach towns to retire in if you want to experience all four seasons — without the extreme summer humidity.

4. Duluth, Minnesota 

• Average rent (one-bedroom): $1,175
• Average home value: $266,800
• State income tax: 5.35%-9.85%
• Cost of living: 84.7
• Population 65+ years: 16.6%
• Healthcare in Duluth: Local healthcare services include Essentia Health, St. Luke’s, and the Lake Superior Community Health Center.

What are the best beach towns to retire in if you don’t want to deal with the heat and humidity of the South? In Minnesota, the northern beach town of Duluth is located on the Great Lake Superior, so you can expect four seasons of outdoor enjoyment. There are plenty of activities in the area to keep you busy, such as cross-country skiing, hiking, and birding. The renovated Lakewalk can also be found along Lake Superior, as well as several state parks that feature waterfalls. 

Duluth is known for its thriving craft beverage scene, as there are lots of local breweries and bars, such as the trendy and award-winning Vikre Distillery. And another plus? Minneapolis-St. Paul is only two hours away!

5. Rehoboth Beach, Delaware 

• Average rent (one-bedroom): $1,600
• Average home value: $788,000
• State income tax: 2.2%-6.6%
• Cost of living: 108.1
• Population 65+ years: 47%
• Healthcare in Rehoboth Beach: Beebe Healthcare accepts Medicare patients and is an accredited hospital.

Located on Delaware's southern coast, Rehoboth Beach is known for its impressively large and clean beach. It’s one of the many seaside towns that make up the state's popular resort area. And it’s certainly one of the best East Coast beach towns to retire in!

Rehoboth’s downtown is small, with only a few tall buildings and commercial developments. It’s best known for its wooden boardwalk, which features several restaurants, amusements, and shops. The Clear Space Theatre Company, in particular, provides year-round theater and acting classes for adults.

The Rehoboth Art League has six galleries and sponsors various events, such as bus trips and cottage tours. You can also take over 150 classes in various art forms there, such as pottery, drawing, and fiber art.

Local tennis courts can be found in Deauville Beach, and there are also several local hiking trails. The Delaware Seashore State Park is another highlight in the area, which offers year-round boating and fishing.

Q: What are the best East Coast towns to retire in?  A: Delaware’s tax-friendly perks for retirees certainly make Rehoboth Beach one of the best East Coast beach towns to retire in. Other best coastal towns to retire in include Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, and Port St. Lucie, Florida.

 

La Jolla, California, is one of the best beach towns to retire in if you’re a golf lover.

6. La Jolla, California

• Average rent (one-bedroom): $3,525
• Average home value: $2.3M
• State income tax: 1%-13.3%
• Cost of living: 154.9
• Population 65+ years (San Diego County): 15.9%
• Healthcare in La Jolla: Nationally recognized care is offered at the Scripps Memorial Hospital, just off I-5 on Genesee Avenue.

What are the best beach towns to retire in if you’ve got a nice, big nest egg? First off, congrats! Second, you may want to check out options in California. San Diego is full of West Coast beach towns that are ideal for retirees. One of these is La Jolla, which boasts a variety of restaurants and cultural attractions, such as the Birch Aquarium and the La Jolla Playhouse. It’s also home to the world-class Torrey Pines Golf Course.

Want to enjoy an adventurous lifestyle? One of the best places to hang glide in San Diego is the Torrey Pines Gliderport. You can experience the exhilaration of gliding over the beach — or simply watch the action instead from the elevated platform. The beaches in this area are also ideal for a wide range of activities, including surfing, swimming, and diving.

7. Hilton Head Island, South Carolina

• Average rent (one-bedroom): $2,925
• Average home value: $765,600
• State income tax: 0%-6.3%
• Cost of living: 104.3
• Population 65+ years: 39.2%
• Healthcare on Hilton Head Island: Hilton Head Regional Healthcare is in the area and provides healthcare to the residents of Hilton Head, Bluffton, and Okatie.

The Hilton Head Island area is known for its beautiful beaches and warm weather year-round. There are plenty of entertainment options for everyone from young professionals to seniors, such as the Arts Center of Coastal Carolina, which features a 350-seat venue for theater, ballet, and musical performances. There are also over 25 championship golf courses, and if you're looking for a retirement community that's close to the beach, The Seabrook offers high-quality medical services.

Are grandkids coming to visit? Take them on a dolphin cruise or plan a day to visit the Coastal Discovery Museum. 

The laid-back, coastal town of Ocean Springs is a perfect place to call home for retirees from all walks of life.

8. Ocean Springs, Mississippi

• Average rent (one-bedroom): $1,375
• Average home value: $260,500
• State income tax: 4.7%
• Cost of living: 83.5
• Population 65+ years: 18.6%
• Healthcare in Ocean Springs: Ocean Springs Hospital offers a variety of both inpatient and outpatient services, to meet each individual’s own healthcare needs.

The laid-back and walkable coastal town of Ocean Springs is a perfect place to call home for retirees from all walks of life. This beach town’s historic buildings and live oaks are a major part of the town's charm (aside from the beach, of course). 

One of the area's most popular museums is the Walter Anderson Museum of Art, but you can find numerous other shops, galleries, and more while living in Ocean Springs. The Ocean Springs Art Association, in particular, represents over 300 local artists and holds the largest art festival in the state and along the Gulf Coast, the Peter Anderson Festival. 

9. Cape Carteret, North Carolina

• Average rent (one-bedroom): $825
• Average home value: $440,700
• State income tax: 4.5%
• Cost of living: 99.3
• Population 65+ years (Carteret County): 27.9%
• Healthcare in Cape Carteret: Carteret County Hospital provides all the comprehensive healthcare services you need, so you won’t have to travel somewhere far away for care.

Located along Bogue Sound, Cape Carteret is a quiet residential community and one of the best small beach towns to retire in. Retirees specifically love that the location is near the Outer Banks and the Emerald Isle Bridge.

Cape Carteret is an easy-to-live-in area with a variety of waterfront parks and marinas. It also has several golf courses, a fishing pier, and a community boat ramp. Many homes along the Sound also have boat docks. Festivals and events that occur in nearby towns such as Morehead City and Swansboro are also popular. Some of these include The Mullet Festival and the Beach Music Festival.

Folly Beach is one of the best beach towns to retire in on the East Coast because you can enjoy the coast without breaking the bank.

10. Folly Beach, South Carolina 

• Average rent (one-bedroom): $2,200
• Average home value: $1.2M
• State income tax: 0%-6.3%
• Cost of living: 112
• Population 65+ years: 41%
• Healthcare in Folly Beach: The Barrier Islands Free Medical Clinic is a great healthcare option for retired residents living in Folly Beach.

Situated on South Carolina's coast near Charleston, the town of Folly Beach is known as the Edge of America. It was once a pirate haven, and bounty hunters used to live in this area. Nowadays, it’s a beach paradise that's popular with vacationers and retirees.

The Atlantic Ocean and the Folly River run parallel to each other in this area. Most of the town is surrounded by water, and the pier extends over a thousand feet into the ocean. There are several downtown shops that sell beach clothes, surfboards, and souvenirs, such as McKelvins Surf Shop. And the local arts scene is managed by a group known as the Folly Beach Arts and Crafts Guild that ensures there’s always something cultural to do in Folly Beach.

11. Port St. Lucie, FL

• Average rent (one-bedroom): $1,950
• Average home value: $394,500
• State income tax: No state income tax
• Cost of living: 98.6
• Population 65+ years: 21.4%
• Healthcare in Port St. Lucie: The largest hospital in this area is HCA Florida St. Lucie, which has been serving the community for over 30 years. This facility has a variety of services, including a 24-hour emergency room that's designed for the elderly. Another great option is the Cleveland Clinic on the west side of town..

Port St. Lucie is a little over halfway between Miami and Daytona Beach, but it offers a more laid-back feel than its more bustling neighbors. It doesn't ask its residents to give up on those great amenities, however! Plus, it’s filled with some of the best beach retirement communities for those who are 55 and older.

Residents of Port St. Lucie can access the beach from either Jensen Beach or Fort Pierce. Hutchinson Island is also located between them, and there are over 20 miles of beaches in St. Lucie County.

There are plenty of golf courses in Port St. Lucie, as well, so it's the perfect place for people who love to play the sport. The PGA Golf Club is one of the many courses in the area.

Although golf is typically the main focus of people's attention when it comes to things to do in the area, there are also plenty of museums and historical sites that are located there, as well. Some of these include the Hallstrom Planetarium, the A.E. Backus Museum & Gallery, and the Port St. Lucie Botanical Gardens. 

Once you find the best beach town for your retirement, call PODS to help you plan your relocation.

Move to One of the Best Beach Towns for Retirement With the Help of PODS

No matter where you’re moving from, PODS can help with your move to one of these best beach towns to retire. PODS offers built-in storage options with every move, multiple container sizes (just rent what you need), and flexible scheduling. Get a moving quote today! 

Editor’s note: Average rent prices were obtained from RentCafe and Zumper; median rent prices and average home values were obtained from Zillow; and median home sale prices were obtained from Redfin. For ease of reading, monthly rental prices were rounded to the nearest $25 and home values were rounded to the nearest $100. State income tax rates were obtained from NerdWallet, cost of living scores were obtained from BestPlaces, and population percentages were obtained from the Census and Niche.