7 Places To Retire That Are Just Like North Carolina but Way Cheaper
One of the unique things about living in the United States is the dissimilarity between states. However, if you’re partial to the charms of a particular region, you’ll frequently find neighboring states very much alike.
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Objectives change when people age, and for retirees, reevaluating their living situation and financial habits is crucial for your mature years. While retirement brings freedom, the high cost of living and taxes, unpredictable weather and a lower quality of life can influence a retirement relocation.
With its captivating mix of stunning mountains and picturesque coastlines, North Carolina consistently ranks among America’s top retirement choices. Yet a rich quality of life comes at a price many retirees can’t afford.
Although many states will force you to empty your pocketbook and retirement savings quicker than North Carolina, several nearby states are cheaper and surprisingly similar to the Natural State. According to Forbes, five of the seven states below have a lower cost of living than North Carolina, while the other two aren’t far behind. Also read the fastest-growing retirement hot spots in America.
Retirement Destinations That Compare to North Carolina but Are Far Less Expensive
1. South Carolina
Before distance and demographic differences between the two regions of Albemarle Sound in the north and Charleston in the south split the land, North and South Carolina were simply known as Carolina Colony. However, the two states referred to as the Carolinas, have a similar climate and Southern flair. A slower pace of life, more affordable housing, and easy access to the outdoors can be found in inland towns, while the developed coastal areas will provide beautiful beach life, but at a price.
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2. Georgia
With the exception of Georgia’s major hubs, you’ll find plenty of NC-like towns. North Georgia, particularly the areas around the Blue Ridge Mountains, has a similar landscape to western North Carolina, with rolling hills, forests, and small, charming communities. Rural Georgia has a lower cost of living than North Carolina, thanks to more affordable housing and property taxes. Blairsville and Ellijay provide magnificent mountain living at a lower cost. Less population density and more rural locations contribute to lower living costs.
3. Tennessee
Tennessee and North Carolina have parts of the Appalachian Mountains, providing stunning landscapes, outdoor recreation, and pleasant weather. Cities like Chattanooga and Murfreesboro are friendly, cultural hotbeds and have experienced some of the biggest influxes of retirees moving in, per SmartAsset’s 2024 study of retirement migration: communities and lively culture. Tennessee does not have a state income tax and has a lower cost of living compared to North Carolina, particularly in smaller towns and rural areas. Tennessee typically has lower housing expenses, property taxes, and healthcare costs.
4. Virginia
Frequently likened to North Carolina for its natural beauty, Virginia provides retirees with a mixture of historical cities, coastal towns and mountain getaways. The Shenandoah Valley, specifically, reflects the Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina, and offers cities like Lynchburg and Roanoke, which have the perfect blend of affordability, city amenities and small-town charm.
5. Alabama
It stands to reason that states adjacent to North Carolina stand a better chance of being more like North Carolina. This includes the four listed above: South Carolina and Georgia to the south, Tennessee to the west and Virginia to the north. Around eight hours southwest, Alabama might not seem worthy of comparison, but for anyone who’s been to both, the two states share a lot of similarities.
Northern Alabama, particularly around the Appalachian foothills, has a climate and landscape similar to North Carolina and all the natural beauty and warmth. Lower population density and a less tourist-driven economy contribute to minimizing the total cost of living, which trumps North Carolina’s due to the state’s inexpensive housing, reduced property taxes and healthcare costs, according to SoFi.
6. West Virginia
North Carolina has an allure of its own. Still, a move north-northwest to West Virginia will provide laid-back living with breathtaking mountain views and outdoor activities similar to the western part of North Carolina. If you’re heading into retirement with a fixed income or modest budget, West Virginia is one of the most affordable states for retirement. According to RentCafe, the cost of living in the Mountain State is 9% lower than the national average, housing is 20% lower than the national average and utilities are 6% lower.
7. Arkansas
Moving westward, Arkansas provides that same calm tempo of living that’s akin to rural North Carolina. Rivers, gorgeous Ozark mountain ranges and outdoor recreation possibilities abound in the Natural State. With affordable housing, food, child care, healthcare and taxes, Arkansas has one of the country’s most appealing cost of living indexes, per BestPlaces.
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