8 Southern Beach Towns Where Couples Can Live on Nothing But Social Security
- - 8 Southern Beach Towns Where Couples Can Live on Nothing But Social Security
Michelle SmithJanuary 27, 2026 at 8:05 AM
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This month, the average monthly Social Security benefit for retired couples is $3,208. On that salary, you might think a beachside retirement is out of reach — but not all coastal towns have the elevated cost of living associated with cities like Seattle or Long Beach.
In fact, depending on where you look in the U.S., the opposite can be true: retiring to a seaside town in the American South can be a fantastic way to stretch your retirement dollars further.
If you and your partner are retired and living on Social Security alone, keep reading. We found eight Southern towns by the sea where you'll thrive — not just survive — on a fixed income.
Editor's note: Unless otherwise noted, all rental figures came from Apartments.com, and all home pricing information came from Redfin.
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1. Pensacola, Florida
Pensacola Beach Pier
Jack/Adobe
Average rent: $1,333
Median home price: $346,000
Pensacola's rent is 18% cheaper than the national average, and its home sales prices have been trending downward year over year. With approximately 228 days of sun per year, the city is also a shining example of the weather that gives the Sunshine State its name.
Pensacola's famously clear water and white-sand beaches ensure there's no shortage of sea to enjoy on those frequent sunny days.
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2. Port Richey, Florida
Cotee River New Port Richey Florida
RobertMiller/Adobe
Average rent: $1,248
Median home price: $225,000
Located on the Gulf of Mexico, Port Richey is ideal for low-maintenance retirees who want to save money by enjoying free outdoor activities — not to mention avoiding paying taxes on Social Security income (Florida lacks a state income tax).
The city offers the perfect base for manatee boat tours, a relaxing day of fishing at Waterfront Park, or wildlife viewing at the nearby bird sanctuary.
3. Corpus Christi, Texas
corpus christi texas
SeanPavonePhoto/Adobe
Average rent: $1,006
Median home price: $264,000
Even in low-cost Texas, Corpus Christi stands out. Texas' cost of living is 7% below the national average, but Corpus Christi's cost of living is a full 26% below the state's average.
With the money you save on housing, health care, and transportation, you can enjoy nearby attractions like the U.S.S. Lexington, a retired WWII aircraft carrier-turned-naval museum. Corpus Christi's oceanfront location also makes it the perfect home for Texas's outstanding state aquarium.
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4. Brunswick, Georgia
Sidney Lanier Bridge Silhouetted at Sunset
Guy Bryant/Adobe
Average rent: $1,239
Median home price: $235,000
Were you looking forward to vacationing in retirement but haven't been able to find the funds so far? With the money you save on low-cost living in Georgia, you'll free up room in your budget to travel, and you can easily access any destination from the Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport.
If you're more of a homebody, Brunswick is just a few miles away from Georgia's gorgeous Barrier Islands, where there's no shortage of beautiful beaches.
5. Pascagoula, Mississippi
Pascagoula Mississippi Beach Wood Bridge
Engi Caribe/Adobe
Average rent: $833
Median home price: $178,025
Pascagoula residents enjoy 6.8% cheaper home costs than the U.S. average, and their energy costs are 12.6% lower, too. A twice-daily Amtrak runs all the way from Pascagoula through Mobile, Alabama, and New Orleans, Louisiana, so if you get tired of the city's calm waves and sugar-sand beaches, it's neither hard nor expensive to visit nearby tourist hubs.
6. Gulfport, Mississippi
Jones Park Light House Gulfport Mississippi
Hermes Photography/Adobe
Average rent: $945
Median home price: $175,000
Gulfport is another stop on Amtrak's Pascagoula-Mobile-New Orleans route, meaning residents are just a $15 ticket away from a high-speed connection to the area's major metros.
As the state's second-biggest city, it's home to a thriving arts and dining scene, but you can find plenty of free entertainment at the fishing piers, volleyball nets, and picnic spots that dot Gulfport Beach.
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7. Jacksonville, North Carolina
Pea Island National Wildlife Refuge
Mosto/Adobe
Average rent: $1,118
Median home price: $233,000
In Jacksonville, costs are 13.7% lower on average than across the rest of the United States. The low-cost community is closely knit with weekly activities, including a free "Journal Jam" at a local arts studio, where community members gather to write, doodle, watercolor, and connect.
8. Port Lavaca, Texas
A scenic view of Indianola Beach
jdwfoto/Adobe
Average rent: $702
Median home price: $254,900
Home to the state's oldest wooden lighthouse, Port Lavaca exemplifies all the best aspects of life on the Gulf Coast. From the historic buildings downtown to the Lighthouse Beach Park's bird tower, wetlands walkway, and boardwalk, it offers ample sightseeing opportunities for history buffs and beach bums alike.
And with a cost of living 21.7% lower than the U.S. average, Port Lavaca makes it much easier for couples to stay afloat on just Social Security.
Bottom line
Although relocating can be a heavy lift upfront, moving to a more affordable region can be an extremely smart money move for seniors living off of Social Security. When you weigh moving and travel costs against a lower cost of living, you may find the money you save throughout the rest of your lifetime makes the initial hassle more than worth it.
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Source: “AOL Money”
