9. Knoxville, Tennessee

The Volunteer State is another great southern spot for retirees. In fact, Tennessee always ranks high on lists of the best places to spend your golden years. Besides its low-tax status, most cities here have below-average living costs for retired residents.

Knoxville is a particularly southern destination for seniors, compared with, for example, Nashville, where the cost of living among retirees is about the same as the national average. In fact, the main factor that contributes to Knoxville’s affordability is its housing costs, which are nearly 30% lower than the national average.

As a matter of fact, the median home value in Knoxville is just $173,900, compared with $262,900 in Nashville and $229,000 across the country. Taking all of these into consideration, it’s no surprise that Knoxville is one of the cheapest US cities to live in.

Plus, as home to the University of Tennessee and the gateway to the Great Smoky Mountains, the city is packed with attractions and activities to fill your golden years.