The Best Towns In Tennessee For A Retiree

Aside from being one of a few states without an income tax, the state of Tennessee, as per RentCafe, had an overall cost of living that was 12% below the national average in September 2026. The biggest benefits to a retiree are housing, healthcare, transportation, utilities and food — all basic necessities with average costs that are 14%, 6%, 13%, 11%, and 3% lower than the national average, respectively.

As per the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis (FRED), the average home price in the U.S. as of August 2026 was $702,444. According to Zillow, the national average for rent was $1,962 per month in July 2026. Luckily, certain Tennessee towns can offer a reprieve from national prices. In fact, there are 13 towns throughout the state that are both surprisingly affordable and great places to retire.

In determining which Tennessee towns were the best fit for retirees, specifically, we considered local financial demands and cultural offerings. Each of these locales features housing and living costs that are more accessible than the national average, as well as ample amenities — including vibrant senior centers, bustling downtowns, serene natural settings, and high-quality medical care — that make engaging with the local community both possible and enjoyable for seniors.

Kingston Springs is a relatively small and quiet community that offers its residents a serene natural landscape while remaining within easy reach of the resources made available in several nearby cities. According to Redfin, the median price of a home in Kingston Springs was $629,583 in August 2026, an amount almost $73,000 less than the national average. The average rent, per Zillow, was just $1,300 for a two-bedroom apartment in September 2026 — a considerable drop from the U.S. national average. According to Payscale, the overall cost of living in Kingston Springs is 21% lower than the national average, with utilities and transportation costs working out to 3% and 10% below the national average.

Kingston Springs offers retirees a small town appeal with plenty of green space, water activities, and great areas for hiking. But if you're ever craving more excitement, Nashville is roughly 30 minutes away, giving retirees easy access to a vast network of high-quality healthcare facilities and one of the most treasured cultural hubs in the U.S. Plus, Kingston Springs' Parks and Recreation department also manages a Senior Citizens Group that meets regularly, so there's plenty of opportunity to engage with fellow retirees in the area.

With an estimated population of over 36,500 in 2025, Cookeville, Tennessee, offers a stellar balance of staggering Appalachian beauty and a thriving local culture to all who pass through it. The average rent in Cookeville, as per Apartments.com, was just $891 per month as of September 2026. According to Zillow, the average home was valued at $324,389 in July 2026, well under half the national average. According to Payscale, the total cost of living in Cookeville is 13% lower than the national average, with groceries, transportation, utilities, and housing working out to 4%, 12%, 16% and 25% below the national average, respectively. And while Tennessee as a whole is pretty car-centric, Redfin actually named Cookeville the No. 2 most-walkable city in the state — a factor that could cut living costs even further for retirees with the appropriate physical mobility. 

Seniors can enjoy state parks like Burgess Falls, which features acres of green space decorated with waterfalls rising hundreds of feet high. You can also socialize with other retirees at a local distillery or brewing company, shop for antiques in town, or connect with other seniors at the Cookeville Senior Activity Center.

Located in eastern Tennessee just south of Knoxville, the Census Bureau reports Maryville is a town of around 32,000 with seniors making up around 18.1% of the local population. According to Zillow, the average home value in Maryville was $394,656 in August 2026 — well over $300,000 less than the national average around the same time. The average rent in town, per Apartments.com was just $1,243 in September of the same year. According to BestPlaces, the cost of living in Maryville has an overall cost of living index 7.6% lower than the national average, with groceries, utilities, and housing working out to 1.6%, 5.5% and 13.2% below the national average.

Maryville retirees can access Blount County's Everett Senior Center for an annual fee of just $20 a year, where they can enjoy activities ranging from arts and crafts to dance classes and group exercise. While something of a small community, there's plenty to do in the area: the downtown area hosts regular farmers markets, as well as a wide selection of restaurants, music venues, and theaters. Plus, the town is home to the Blount Memorial Hospital for medical needs.

Chattanooga is one of the larger cities on this list, and also happens to be one of the best college towns for retirement. Redfin reports the median sale price of a home in the area to be around $363,509, as of August 2026. The average rent in Chattanooga, per Zillow, was just $1,500 per month in September 2026 — a $100 decrease from the previous September. According to Payscale, the cost of living in Chattanooga is 12% lower than the national average, Meanwhile, transportation and utilities are tied at 11% lower than the national average, with groceries and housing working out to 3% and 23% below the national average, respectively.

Chattanooga's selling points include interstate highway access to major metros like Nashville and Atlanta, Georgia, while also remaining within easy reach of quiet mountain landscapes. The area offers residents easy access to state-of-the-art healthcare thanks to a network of hospitals known as the Parkridge Health System. Historically rich, it also features an array of museums and galleries. Retirees that enjoy the outdoors may also appreciate its selection of riverside parks, or its minimal distance from more involved hikes with stunning natural landmarks including waterfalls and mountainous overlooks.

Another small eastern Tennessee town, Zillow reported the median home sale price value in Crossville was $324,000 in July 2026, while the average rental cost about $1,610 per month. According to BestPlaces, the cost of living in Crossville is 15.1% lower than the national average, with monthly expenses of $2,067 making it 56.6% cheaper to live in than most places in the U.S. Per BestPlaces, groceries were 4.8%, goods and services were 9.6%, utilities were 12.6%, and housing was 29% less expensive than what you would find in much of the rest of the country.

Crossville happens to be the Golf Capital of Tennessee, with nine courses to practice your golf swing. Attractions like the Crossville Amphitheatre offers retirees easy access to a weekly concert series every summer, while the Fair Park Activity Center allows seniors to socialize and participate in a wide range of easy-going recreation activities Monday through Friday. For healthcare needs, the Cumberland Medical Center's well-reputed staff is equipped to service a wide range of conditions ranging from emergency care to diagnostics and long-term ailments.

Gallatin sits just south of the Kentucky-Tennessee border, and houses a thriving downtown area known for its annual festivals, art fairs, and well-preserved architecture dating back to the late 1700s. According to Redfin, the price of a home in Gallatin is $447,154 as of September 2026. The average rent, as per Apartments.com, was just $1,372 per month in September 2026, — almost $300 lower than the national average. According to Payscale, the cost of living in Gallatin is 25% lower than the national average, with utilities, transportation, and housing costing 3%, 10%, and 47% less than the national average.

From farmers markets to fishing or boating on the Cumberland River, retirees have a number of ways to keep themselves busy and entertained in Gallatin. Birdwatch on nature hikes, or just enjoy the serenity of the countryside. According to the Ashton Real Estate Group, getting around is relatively easy, with an average commute to anywhere in Gallatin taking around 24 minutes in a town where 85% of residents take their vehicles to work. If you take public transit, you can save $2.25 per ride with a senior discount, accessing fares of just $2.

Johnson City is another Tennessee municipality with roots dating back to some of the country's earliest days. According to Redfin, the median price of a home in the area was $329,782 in August 2026, while Apartments.com found the average rent to be just $1,059 the following month. According to RentCafe, although life in Johnson City is 11% more expensive than the state average, it's still 3% lower than the national average. Food, healthcare, and transportation are 5%, 12%, and 14% lower than the national average, respectively.

Farmers markets and festivals like the Blue Plum Festival give locals plenty of opportunity to engage with their community, while local cafés, galleries, museums, and a handful of nearby state parks are accessible for year-round enjoyment. And when you need to get away, Johnson City is just a short jaunt from Buffalo Mountain Park, where both serious hikers and casual outdoor enthusiasts can access scenic trails and overlooks for some physical activity or a nice picnic. There are also many nearby healthcare options, including Franklin Woods Community Hospital, Johnson City Medical Center, and the highly rated James H. Quillen VA Medical Center, ensuring you'll be well cared for in your golden years.

For seniors who still crave the energy a major city provides, the average rent in Memphis sits around $1,145 as of August 2026, per RentCafe. Better yet, homeownership in the area is particularly accessible, with Zillow reporting the average value of a house in Memphis was $145,335 in August 2026, a figure almost five times smaller than the national average. According to Payscale, the total cost of living in Memphis is 11% lower than the national average, with groceries, transportation, utilities, and housing working out to 1%, 13%, 15% and 16% below the national average, respectively. 

Aside from the affordability factor, Memphis is the home of Beale Street, with blues bars and BBQ joints aplenty. But if you're looking for quieter ways to engage in your community, the Memphis Public Library network offers an array of classes and clubs for community members of all ages, ranging from tech help to book clubs to arts and crafts. The National Civil Rights Museum and music festivals also help to round out the cultural offerings for retirees in the area. Plus, there are multiple Dedicated Senior Medical Centers located in the area to ensure you get proper care when you need it.

Paris, Tennessee, resides along Kentucky Lake and offers its residents the opportunity to enjoy all the recreation that comes from living near a waterfront. But when it comes to life on land, Zillow reports the average price of a home in Paris was $216,591 in late August 2026. Meanwhile, Zumper reports that rentals in the area are more expensive than they've been in several years, with the median monthly rent approaching $1,145 in September 2026. Luckily, there's plenty of opportunity to cut costs elsewhere, as BestPlaces reports the overall cost of living in Paris is 26% less expensive than the national average, with an individual requiring just $1,900 per month to get by.

For local entertainment, this affordable retirement community with a mock Eiffel Tower Park hosts the World's Biggest Fish Fry every spring, though it also houses an array of local bakeries if catfish isn't to your liking. For those with quieter tastes, Paris is also a celebrated destination for bird watching, and the town is home to a wide selection of local parks, hiking trails, swimming areas, and the Paris Landing State Park Golf Course.

Kingsport traces its history back to the early 19th century, and continues to stand as an important fixture of Tennessee's northern border. According to Zillow, the average home value in Kingsport was $257,154 in August 2026, while Zumper reported in September that the average rental cost $1,224. According to BestPlaces, the cost of living in Kingsport is 20.8% lower than the national average. An individual retiree should expect to spend an average $2,100 per month on living expenses.

Of its population of over 55,000, the Census Bureau reports that over 23% of Kingsport residents are age 65 or older. The local senior center offers its retired community members a wide array of regular gathering opportunities, as well as one-off group trips and cookouts. The city's quaint design makes it easy to navigate, and its close proximity to state parks like Warriors' Path State Park and the 3,500-acre nature reserve Bays Mountain Park and Planetarium gives residents plenty of access to serene natural landscapes. And if you're ever in the mood for a night out, several local bars and eateries host live music and comedy, which you can get to for as little as $3 thanks to the Dial-A-Ride service  the Kingsport Area Transit Service offers residents age 65 and older.

As one of 12 rural towns considered part of Nashville's Big Back Yard, Waynesboro is another place where you can enjoy the benefits of small-town life without straying too far from the excitement of a bigger city. One of those benefits is housing Costs: As of August 2026, Zillow reports the average home value in Waynesboro is $177,891, and BestPlaces projects you could find a one-bedroom in the area for as little as $610. The cost of living in Waynesboro is 25.3% lower than the national average, with average monthly expenses of $2,033 keeping life in the area accessible for many retirement budgets.

Though fairly small, Waynesboro's local community is welcoming and active. The town has a storied musical background, which you can learn all about at the Wayne County Museum. Residents also have access to local amenities, like the city park and pool, the Wayne County Library, as well as a number of fitness centers to keep you spry. And if the quiet ever gets old, Nashville is a roughly 2-hour drive away.

Located in Northwestern Tennessee, Union City is a tight-knit community that anyone with the minimum savings needed to retire in Tennessee should keep on their radar. According to the Economic Research Institute, Union City's cost of living is 25% lower than the national average and 16% below the state average. The median home value in Union City was just $175,317, as of August 2026, while Zillow Rentals reported the average rent in the area sat around $1,050 per month in September. 

Union City is home to the expansive Discovery Park of America, a 100,000-square-foot museum designed to entrance visitors of all ages with information about science, history, nature, and technology that's also surrounded by a peaceful park. The area is also easily accessible by train, car, boat, and air, giving seniors a wide array of options for transportation should they feel the need to come and go. Union City is also home to a branch of the Baptist Memorial Hospital, giving residents in need access to full-service medical care, while its downtown area hosts a wide selection of restaurants and shops, giving seniors plenty of opportunity to engage with their community year round.