Ah, retirement! The last great American con. They tell you “work hard, save up”—then? They screw ya! No pensions, and Social Security’s a joke. But wait here’s a twist—there are still places where you can retire without selling "little blue pills" to weirdos in back alleys. Five towns where $100K gets you a house, not a cardboard box. They’ve got, grocery stores, parks, a great diners, and hospitals that know how to keep you alive —all the things you actually need. Sure, you might not get a Michelin-star restaurant or a five-star resort, and some parts of town can be dicey, but you are old enough to know that the cheapest towns aren’t always the best towns. So, if you’re ready to trade an overpriced life for something that actually makes sense, stick around—we’re about to find you a retirement spot where your money and your sanity go further. And that, my friend, is all you really need. So.

Let’s

Dive

In

1. Ocala, Florida: Retirement Without Selling blood.

Ah yes, Florida. The land of retirees, alligators, and news stories that make you question humanity. Now, you might be thinking, “Wait, isn’t Florida expensive?” And you’d be right—if you’re trying to retire in Miami or Naples. But Ocala? Ocala is the loophole.

The Housing: Cheap, But Not a Crack Den

You can still find houses in Ocala for under $100,000. Now, will it be a waterfront mansion with a boat dock? No. But it’s a real house, in a decent neighborhood, with walls and everything. And unlike those overpriced Florida condos, you won’t be paying HOA fees so high they make you question your sanity.

Plus, the town is booming—so if you buy now, that property might actually go up in value. Imagine that. A retirement plan that doesn’t involve scratching off lottery tickets.

The Weather: Warm, But Watch Out for Hurricanes

Florida is basically America’s waiting room. Why? Because old people hate the cold. And Ocala has that sweet spot—it’s warm, but not Miami-level "melt-your-face-off" hot. It’s inland too, so you don’t have to worry about getting swept away every hurricane season. Just the occasional sinkhole swallowing a car or two. No big deal.

The Perks: Horses, Parks, and a Shockingly Decent Hospital

Ocala is known as the "Horse Capital of the World," which means if you ever wanted to get into horse racing, betting, or just staring at rich people’s ponies—this is the place.

And if you’re not a horse person? No worries. Silver Springs State Park is right there, and they’ve got those glass-bottom boat tours where you can see fish swimming under you while you question why you didn’t retire sooner.

More importantly, Ocala has actual healthcare. Advent Health Ocala is a legit hospital, so if your heart decides to pull some funny business, you’re not out in the boonies praying for a helicopter ride.

Downsides? Well, It’s Florida.

Look, Florida isn’t for everyone. You might have to deal with:

• Weird neighbors who still have "Trump 2024" flags flying.

• Giant bugs the size of small children.

• Tourists who don’t know how to drive.

But hey, for $100k and no state income tax? You can deal with a couple of Florida Man headlines.

2. Pittsburg, Kansas. Because nothing says "cheap retirement" like a place named after a city in Pennsylvania with a Side of BBQ and Tornadoes

Alright, so Kansas. Not exactly the first place that comes to mind when you think of retirement, right? No beaches, no palm trees, no celebrities getting DUIs on the highway. But hear me out—Pittsburg, Kansas, might just be one of the best "I-don't-want-to-spend-a-fortune-on-retirement" towns in America.

The Housing: You Can Own a House for the Price of a Used Honda

Pittsburg, Kansas, is insanely cheap. You can still find houses under $100,000, and we’re talking real houses. Not a shack. Not a glorified shed or even one that still has the wheels attached. An actual home, with bedrooms, a backyard, and enough space so you don’t feel like you’re living in a storage unit.

The best part? No bidding wars. You ever try to buy a house in a big city? You put in an offer, and next thing you know, some tech dude from California pays twice the asking price in cash. Not here. You put in an offer, and the realtor is just happy someone’s interested.

The Cost of Living: Basically Free Compared to Big Cities

Pittsburg is 25% below the national average in cost of living. That means your retirement savings actually last instead of disappearing into a black hole of overpriced groceries and property taxes.

And food? Kansas is BBQ country. You’re gonna eat like a king for the price of a sad airport sandwich in New York. Ribs, brisket, pulled pork—whatever you want, and for dirt cheap. Plus, if you like college sports, Pittsburg State University keeps the town lively with games, events, and a steady stream of poor decision-making college kids to keep things entertaining.

Healthcare: Small Town, But Big Hospital

In Most small towns? You break a hip, and your best medical option are "thoughts and prayers." But Pittsburg actually has Ascension Via Christi Hospital, which means you get real healthcare without having to drive three states over.

And let’s be honest—you’re gonna need good healthcare in retirement. You ever notice that once you hit 60, your body just starts falling apart for no reason? One day you’re fine, the next day your knee sounds like a bowl of rice crispy’s every time you stand up. Good to know a hospital is nearby when that happens.

The Downsides: Tornadoes and... Uh, Kansas.

Alright, let’s be real—Kansas is boring. If you need constant excitement, this is not your place. You’re not gonna run into celebrities at Whole Foods. You’re not gonna find a Michelin-star restaurant. But what you will find is a laid-back, affordable place to retire where nobody’s robbing you blind.

Oh, and tornadoes. Yeah, those are a thing. But hey, at least you’re not dealing with hurricanes, earthquakes, or New York rents.

3. Abilene, Texas: Retiring Like a Cowboy (But Without the Hard Labor)

Now, if you’re looking for a retirement spot with no state income tax, cheap housing, and enough BBQ to send your cholesterol into outer space—welcome to Texas. More specifically, welcome to Abilene.

Texas is one of those places where people never shut up about Texas. You ever meet someone from here? Within five minutes, you’ll hear about Texas pride, their pickup truck, and how everything’s bigger. But hey, they might be onto something—because Abilene is actually a solid spot for retirees who want a good quality of life without getting financially ruined.

The Housing: The Wild West, But with Plumbing

Abilene’s real estate market is shockingly affordable. You can still find decent homes for under $100,000, and we’re talking about actual houses, not some trailer parked next to a gas station.

And since we’re in Texas, you get space. Big yards, wide streets, room to breathe. No stacked apartment buildings where you can hear your neighbor sneeze through the wall. You want peace and quiet? Abilene’s got it.

The Cost of Living: Your Dollar Goes Further Than a Texas Pickup Truck

Living in Texas means no state income tax, which is a huge deal for retirees. That’s more money for you and less for the government to waste on nonsense.

The cost of living in Abilene is 17% below the national average, meaning you’re not spending your retirement years clipping coupons and living off canned beans. Restaurants, entertainment, groceries—everything’s just cheaper here.

And speaking of food—let’s be honest, Texas BBQ alone is a reason to retire here. If you love ribs, brisket, and meat smoked so perfectly it should be illegal—Abilene’s got you covered. Just don’t tell your doctor.

Healthcare: Texans Don’t Mess Around with Hospitals

A lot of small towns have questionable healthcare, but Abilene actually has Hendrick Health System—a solid hospital with specialists in everything from cardiology to orthopedics. Meaning, if you take a fall trying to impress your grandkids with a yeehaw jump off the porch, you’ll survive.

The Vibe: Small-Town Charm with Just Enough Action

Abilene isn’t one of those places where you retire and immediately get bored to death.

They’ve got:

• The Paramount Theatre (old-school movie nights, concerts, plays)

• Frontier Texas! Museum (learn about cowboys and outlaws, or just lie and say you did)

• Locally owned diners where the food is cheap, the coffee is strong, and the waitresses call you “hon.”

Abilene has enough going on to keep you entertained, but without the soul-sucking chaos of big cities.

The Downsides: It’s Texas, So... You Know

Now, let’s not sugarcoat it—Texas has its quirks. You might have to deal with:

• Politics that are louder than a monster truck rally. Texas is Texas. If that bothers you, maybe look elsewhere.

• The heat. Summer here is like standing inside a hairdryer. But hey, at least you don’t have to shovel snow.

• Occasional cowboy cosplay. Yes, some people still wear giant hats and boots for no reason. Just let ‘em be.

All in all, Abilene is one of the best places to retire if you want your money to actually last. It’s affordable, has great food, solid healthcare, and lets you live comfortably without working until you drop.

4. Tupelo, Mississippi: Retire Like the King (Without the Elvis-Sized Spending)

Alright, so Tupelo. You might not know much about it, but here’s the one fact everyone throws at you: Elvis Presley was born here. That’s right—the King of Rock ‘n’ Roll got his start in this little Mississippi town. And while you might not be buying a Graceland-style mansion, you can get a solid house here for under $100,000—which is still less than what some people pay for a parking space in California.

The Housing: Big Savings, No Hollywood Price Tags

Tupelo is one of those places where you can still buy a real home for a reasonable price. Not some “tiny home” scam that looks like a glorified tool shed. A house. With a yard. Maybe even a porch where you can sit and judge people as they walk by—that’s the American dream, right?

And let’s be honest—Mississippi real estate is wildly undervalued. People overlook it because they’re too busy throwing their money at overpriced coastal cities. But if you’re not a sucker for trends, you can actually retire here and own your home outright.

The Cost of Living: More Bang for Your Buck (and BBQ for Your Belly)

Tupelo’s cost of living is 22% below the national average, meaning you get to do something unheard of in retirement: have disposable income. Imagine that! Not worrying about every penny, not having to ration out your "fun money" like you’re on some sort of financial survival show.

And we gotta talk about the food—because, my friend, this is the South.

• Fried chicken? Check.

• Biscuits and gravy? Check.

• BBQ so good it makes you rethink your entire life? Absolutely.

You ever had Mississippi-style catfish? If not, you’re in for a treat. And the best part? It’s all dirt cheap. You’re not dropping $20 on a sad salad like you would in L.A.—you’re getting a full meal for what some places charge for a fancy coffee.

Healthcare: Surprisingly Solid for a Small Town

Here’s where Tupelo actually punches above its weight class. It has North Mississippi Medical Center, which is one of the biggest rural hospitals in the country. That means you’re not stuck in some backwoods clinic where the doctor is also the town mechanic.

Look, getting old means dealing with random medical surprises. One day you’re fine, the next day your back goes out because you sneezed too hard. So having a legit hospital nearby? That’s a huge win.

The Vibe: Small-Town Chill with a Side of Music History

Tupelo has that classic Southern small-town charm—friendly people, slower pace of life, and just enough to do so you’re not bored out of your mind.

• Elvis Presley Birthplace & Museum – Because, come on, you’re legally required to visit at least once.

• Natchez Trace Parkway – A scenic route perfect for road trips, cycling, or just pretending you’re in a country music video.

• GumTree Museum of Art – If you wanna get fancy and act like you know something about paintings.

It’s the kind of place where neighbors actually talk to each other, people hold doors open, and if you go to the same diner a few times, they start remembering your order. If that sounds good to you, you’ll fit right in.

The Downsides: It’s Mississippi, So... You Know.

Look, I won’t sugarcoat it—Mississippi has some quirks.

• The summers are humid as hell. Step outside in July, and it’s like walking into Satan’s personal sauna.

• The economy isn’t exactly booming. If you’re still looking to work part-time, pickings are slim.

• People take college football very, very seriously. If you don’t pick a side in the Ole Miss vs. Mississippi State rivalry, someone will try to recruit you.

But overall? If you want a low-cost, low-stress retirement where people are friendly and the food is dangerously good—Tupelo delivers.

5. Hot Springs, Arkansas: Because why not retire in a place where even the water is trying to relax you?

So Hot Springs. You ever hear about this place? It’s like if a spa and a retirement community had a baby. The whole town is built around natural hot springs, which means even the water here is just chilling out, taking it easy. If that’s not a good sign for retirement, I don’t know what is.

The Housing: Yes, You Can Still Afford to Live Here

Hot Springs is one of those towns where you can still buy a house without needing a second mortgage and making blood oath with the bank. You can find homes for under $100,000, and they’re not "fixer-uppers" that look like crime scenes on an episode of "Dateline." These are solid houses in neighborhoods where people actually mow their lawns.

And let’s be honest—Arkansas real estate is wildly underrated. Everyone is too busy throwing their money at places like Austin or Nashville, while Hot Springs just sits here, quietly being affordable and awesome.

The Cost of Living: Cheap, But With a Touch of Class

The cost of living in Hot Springs is 18% below the national average, which means you can actually afford to do things other than pay bills and stress about money.

And get this—the town has an art scene. I know, I know. You hear “Arkansas,” and you don’t exactly think “fine culture,” but Hot Springs has museums, theaters, and even fancy restaurants. And they’re all affordable. You’re not paying $15 for a coffee like you would in some overpriced hipster town.

The Perks: Nature, History, and Hot Water

Here’s what makes Hot Springs special—it’s got nature, history, and relaxation all in one.

• Hot Springs National Park – Yeah, it’s an actual national park, not just a clever name. You can take a dip in natural mineral baths that are supposedly great for your health. Or at the very least, they’re great for pretending you’re fancy.

• Garvan Woodland Gardens – If you wanna take a peaceful stroll through one of the most beautiful botanical gardens in the country, this is the place.

• Maxwell Blade Theatre of Magic – Yes, there’s a magic theater. Why? Because why not.

And if you’re into history? Hot Springs used to be a gangster hotspot. Back in the day, Al Capone and his buddies used to hang out here because even criminals need a spa day. There’s even a museum about it, because apparently, nothing says “family attraction” like celebrating organized crime.

Healthcare: A Retirement Town That Actually Plans for Retirees

Unlike some cheap towns where the hospital is just a guy with a first-aid kit, Hot Springs has CHI St. Vincent Hot Springs, a legit medical center that specializes in senior care. That means if you eat one too many racks of ribs and your heart taps out, they’ve got you covered.

The Downsides: It’s Arkansas, So… Yeah.

Look, let’s be real—Arkansas isn’t exactly winning any “Most Glamorous State” awards.

• The humidity is no joke. If you don’t like sweating, this might not be your paradise.

• It’s still a small town. If you need big-city excitement, you’re gonna be disappointed.

• Yes, some people have really thick accents. If you don’t know what “fixin’ to” means, you’ll learn fast.

But if you’re looking for a cheap, peaceful place where you can soak in hot springs, eat good food, and not stress about money—Hot Springs is a solid choice.

Look, you don’t have to be rich to retire well. You just have to be smart about where you go. These five towns prove that you don’t have to worry about how you are going to pay your mortgage.

So what’s the next step?

• Start looking up homes in these places. Seriously, just take a peek.

• Visit them if you can. Worst case scenario, you get a cheap vacation out of it.

• Tell your friends. Because someone in your circle is definitely planning to retire in a city that’s gonna drain their savings faster than a casino.

And hey, if you found this helpful, buy me a drink when you retire in one of these spots. Now go plan your future, but first if you want to learn about the Top 10 Cheapest States for Retirement, then you’ll want to watch this video next. Thanks for watching and Let’s do good together.