UPDATED September, 2025 Looking for a great place to retire on a budget? A warm seaside town? A cozy mountain hamlet? A relaxing lakeside locale? Here we have 45 U.S. towns with living costs below or equal to the national average as determined primarily by housing costs. They also have safe neighborhoods, recreational areas and/or cultural amenities, local or nearby medical facilities and more. See each town's population, climate, percentage age 45 or better, cost of living, median home price, political leanings, nearest airport, medical facility, percentage college educated, public transit availability, crime rates and even drawbacks (because no place is perfect). Reviews are short and to the point for quick reading.
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