Next to your office desk, a framed photograph of a family on a beach stares back at you. Whenever you face a rough day or approach a stressful business transaction, you peer at the photo, yearning to venture back in time to that carefree, though expensive vacation. What if I told you retiring on the beach doesn’t have to swallow your life savings? In any of these 16 beach towns, you can retire for a reasonable price. 

1. Pensacola, Florida

Cerulean seas swirl on either side of the extensive bridge, jutting out into the Gulf of Mexico. A line of high-top towers and quaint beachfront shops fleck the seaside strip, inviting guests and locals to admire the beach from behind the sand. When the sun sets, pinks and purple dance together, creating alluring cotton candy skies that dazzle even those from Pensacola. 

What can you expect to pay for rent in a paradise like this? The median rent for property in the Pensacola area comes out to $1,800 a month. When comparing that figure to the national average ($2,070), we find that Pensacola’s housing costs dip 13% below the national average. After crunching the numbers, retirees in Pensacola can save around $3,240 a year on rent in this seaside suburban town. 

2. Punta Gorda, Florida 

The southwest wonderland of Punta Gorda, Florida, situates itself on The Peace River and the Charlotte Harbor, creating an ideal destination not too far from Fort Myers Beach or Englewood Beach, two beaches sharing the Gulf of Mexico. Along the Punta Gorda beaches, boardwalks stretch out to the white sand landscapes painted with a blue water backdrop. Palm trees and brush frame the photographable landscape, creating a picturesque postcard setting perfect for lounging around or sun tanning. 

Housing in Punta Gorda resides 17% under the national average, putting the monthly average rent payment at $1,272 a month or $15,264 a month for a humble home. Additionally, the cost of living in Punta Gorda drops 2% below the state average and 3% below the national average. 

3. Vero Beach, Florida

Vero Beach kisses the Atlantic Ocean with shiny, white sand beaches backed by miles and miles of rich greenery. Aside from the waterfront wonder, the diverse ecosystem attracts visitors' attention, with trees springing out of the sidewalk and interlacing their branches with others to create a lacy awing. This phenomenon occurs inside the McKee Botanical Gardens. Dazzle in the naturally occurring canopy while strolling through the ecosystem. 

As far as housing in this uncrowded haven goes, the cost of housing in Vero Beach is 14% less than the national average; the median price for buying a home equates to $265,000, compared to the national average of $428,818. When basing figures off of rental properties, apartments and homes in Vero Beach charge 1% less than the national average. So, renters pay $1,541 to rent a place in Vero Beach or $1,558 as the national average.

4. Gulfport, Mississippi 

Grab a firsthand experience of shipping ports while building sandcastles on the soft sand beach of Gulfport, Mississippi. The crystalline water laps into the silky sand as a fragment of the Gulf of Mexico’s expanding waterways. Anglers adore the extensive boardwalk, where they catch sea life and indulge in the ocean breeze away from pesky beach-goers. The palm trees lining the entries and exits further the beachgoing experience with their eccentric look and shade-bearing capabilities. 

Retirees can make a home for themselves in this southern serenity with a cost of living that is 15% lower than the national average and 2% lower than Mississppi’s average cost of living. The average 1-bedroom apartment monthly rent in Gulfport circulates around $966, while the average U.S. rental price is $1,739. Save the $1,000 to jump into that lifelong passion for parasailing since the beach is the backyard.

5. Waveland, Mississippi 

Retirees searching for a patriotic, right-leaning retirement home enjoy Waveland, Mississippi. Docked at the entrance of the pier, an American flag swings in the wind, assuring the visitors understand the city’s heightened patriotism. Leaning into the patriotism aspect of the city, Waveland Beach pays respects to veterans with the Veterans Memorial Monument. Like other beach towns, palm trees decorate the walkways, and piers and docks pan out for anglers and people looking to appreciate the sun from a non-sandy spectacle. 

Rental housing in Waveland, Mississippi, droops 34% below the national average with a median rental price of $995. The overall cost of living in Waveland, Mississippi is 16.6% lower than the average cost of living in the U.S. According to bestplaces.net, a single person scoots by on $2,233 a month for a comfortable, happy lifestyle.

6. Pascagoula, Mississippi 

Along the northern stretch of the Gulf of Mexico lays a remote beach, one appealing to beachgoers preferring solitude and quieter shore activities. The Mississippi Sound and the Pascagoula River jut out into the Gulf of Mexico. The collision of these bodies of water forms a family-friendly waterway titled the Pascagoula Beach Park. Playgrounds pop up for the kiddos. Sidewalks provide a walking path for those who choose to admire the water and sand from afar and the yards of bright sand leading up to the blue water.

Living in Pascagoula costs 52.4% less than the average cost of living in the U.S., with rental medians staying below $800 and housing medians costing $127,100. Pascagoula residents appreciate not only Pascagoula’s lowered costs compared to the national medians but also the lowered prices from Mississippi’s average. The state runs on an average rental margin of $890, or 15.6% higher than Pascagoula’s median rental price.

7. Biloxi, Mississippi 

A mammoth lighthouse peers over Biloxi Beach planted aside the Mississippi Sound. During sunset, purply skies blend into the backdrop, centering the lookout feature among resorts and beach streets. But what is the best part of Biloxi’s beach town? The ample access to casinos. The town also prioritizes healthy sea life by rescuing and rehabilitating pelicans and turtles. 

Biloxi residents pay an average of $960 a month for a nice rental property, or 32.9% less than the U.S. monthly average of $1,430. Though Biloxi citizens pay 7.3% more to live in the city than Mississippi’s average of $890, the low cost of living and reasonable housing fares keep the city populated. 

8. Bluffton, South Carolina

An avenue of boats park outside the Harbour Town Lighthouse, protecting the monument and creating a glorious scene. The coastal city does not have a direct flow to the ocean. Instead, the water comes from the May River, one of the city’s direct economic contributors and entertainment providers. In fact, residents know the many assets of the May River, including dolphin watching, tubing, swimming, and boating. Locals drive a few minutes away from the riverfront to Hilton Head Island–a beauteous beach strip filled with golden sand tracking toward the Atlantic Ocean.

Expect to pay an average monthly rental price of $1,291 in Bluffton for a cozy apartment or rental home. A retiree in Bluffton pays about $15,500 for a year’s living expenses. That means an individual in Bluffton spends 15% less on housing than an average individual in the U.S. Additionally, the cost of living in Bluffton is 3% less than the national average, with gas prices dropping 2% lower than the U.S. average.

9. Galveston, Texas 

Galveston, Texas, mimics a TV beach where a boardwalk encompasses a Ferris wheel and a multitude of other rides. The amusement park situates itself over the water, delivering thrilling fun with harsh waves crashing under the boardwalk. On the ground level, the inlet presents visitors and locals to the Gulf of Mexico, featuring sea green water and yellow-gold sand.

Galveston residents enjoy a cost of living 8% lower than the national average, and the average housing price is 24% below the U.S. average. A dweller in Galveston lives a cheerful life on $48,465, with an average rent payment of $1,148 a month. 

10. Corpus Christi, Texas

Situated on the Gulf of Mexico and stuffed into a pale green, shallow bay waterway, Corpus Christi serves as an island getaway for locals and visitors searching for a taste of the beach. Corpus Christi houses the longest barrier island in the world, teeming with the smallest sea turtle in the world: Kemp's ridley sea turtle. Back in 1992, Corpus Christi acquired the Navy ship, the USS Lexington, and now showcases the artifact as a museum. 

Corpus Christi citizens revel in the cost of living, granted the 10% decrease from the national average. Retirees should anticipate doling out $1,185 a month for rent or $14,220 a year. The national average housing costs are 22% higher than Corpus Christi’s average prices.

11. Atlantic City, New Jersey 

Atlantic City, New Jersey, fuses the best aspects of beaches into one iconic resort city. Casinos pepper the beachy boardwalk. Rides appear on the ends of said boardwalk. And long, wide streets of sand lead to the namesake: The Atlantic Ocean. Fun fact: Atlantic City is the world’s longest boardwalk at five-and-a-half miles. The original intention of the boardwalk was to prevent sand from spilling into the resorts. Today, the walkway morphs into a family-friendly pathway to the beach. 

The cost of living in Atlantic City tapers off at 6.1% lower than the national average and 21.6% lower than New Jersey’s average cost of living. Potential homeowners look at a median of $179,200, or 47% below the national median home price of $338,100. Pro-tip: Atlantic City is one of the most affordable cities in New Jersey. Home prices sink 58.5% below New Jersey’s average, and rental properties sink 21.3% below the state’s average.

12. Newport News, Virginia 

Sometimes, the best beaches nestle against rivers. In Newport News, Virginia, Huntington Beach forms along the James River. Huntington Beach remains on the smaller side of beaches when faced against the rest of the beaches on this list; however, the slimmer sandy shores attract reserved beachgoers for their mellow waters and boat ramps. Plus, Huntington Beach staffs a lifeguard during summer hours, unlike many public beaches on this list. Anglers take to The James River Fishing Pier for a taste of saltwater fishing. 

A retired couple looks at an average monthly rent payment of $1,240 for a two-bedroom apartment in Newport News, Virginia. If the couple fancied buying a house, the median is $256,900, or 24% less than the national home-owning average. Two retirees in Newport News could experience a first-rate life on $50,000 a year. 

13. Ashtabula, Ohio

Out of the five Great Lakes, my personal favorite is Lake Erie, simply for the fact of its numerous beaches and parks that allow semi-landlocked citizens to witness a fraction of beach time. Ashtabula, Ohio’s branch of beach on Lake Erie, is entitled Walnut Beach, a sandy lane brimming with shorebirds and sparrows. Coexisting with the plentiful bird species are the sunbathers and swimmers delighting in Lake Erie’s brisk waters. 

Life in Ashtabula costs a citizen, on average, 26.5% less than the national average. A single person living a secure lifestyle can spend around $2,000 a month in Ashtabula without worrying about expenses. Homeowners find affordable houses around the $120,000 mark, while rental properties cost $790 for a two-bedroom apartment. 

14. Lillian, Alabama 

You’ve heard of the band Florida-Georgia Line, and you’ve seen the show Floribama Shore. But have you ever been to a town bordering the state lines? Lillian, Alabama perches on the eastern side of the Florida-Alabama line, with Perdido Bay bordering the city. A golden sunset kisses the water funneling from Perdido River into the Perdido Bay curvature. Countless fish swim through the brackish water, creating a heaven for anglers. Catch trout, snapper, or flounder during a day relaxing at Perdido Bay.

The cost of living in Lillian is around 6% below the national average and 12% lower than the state’s average. For example, a single retiree could carry out a fruitful life on $3,200 a month, accounting for a $1,240 monthly rental payment. Purchasing a home requires around $301,500 to meet the median price, which is still lower than the median home price of $338,100. 

15. Myrtle Beach, South Carolina 

Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, is a famous vacation spot and a retiree hotspot for beach enthusiasts. The subsection known as Myrtle Beach presents itself as a smaller portion of a 60-mile-long beach, the Grand Strand. The Grand Strand sprawls through northeastern South Carolina and along the Atlantic Ocean. Snap a mental note of the awe-inducing lilac sunset via the boardwalk, or pop into any of the retro arcades. Keep your eyes peeled for the bottlenose dolphin, one of the species seen frequently in Myrtle Beach waters.

Myrtle Beach retirees see a reduced cost of living when compared to the national estimations. Here, a retired couple find housing prices at 23.3% lower than the national average. Rent dwindles down to $1,026 a month, or $12,312 a year. Spending so little on rent benefits the retiree with higher annual savings than they might enjoy in different cities. 

16. Port Arthur, Texas 

Make a name for yourself in the city housing the largest oil refinery in the U.S. Motiva Refinery in Port Arthur, Texas, produces and distributes enough oil to power over one million oil changes per day. Another feat in Port Arthur is the steel-cabled 7,752-foot Rainbow Bridge, which connects Port Arthur to Bridge City. The two beaches in Port Arthur, Sea Rim State Park and McFaddin Beach, are both state parks aiming to protect wildlife. Sea Rim State Park intrigues visitors with two miles of sandy shores and over 3,000 acres of swampy marshes. On the other hand, McFaddin Beach is a 20-mile wing of the McFaddin National Wildlife Refuge along the Gulf of Mexico.

The cost of living in Port Arthur stoops 12% lower than the national average, with a median monthly rent price of $821.61. Homeowners find the median home price stays around $270,271, meaning housing prices cost 46% less than the national average. Gas prices drop 7% lower than the national average, too.