Chattanooga Highlighted Best Southern City to Retire

Move over Florida beaches–Travel + Leisure gave Chattanooga all-around accolades as the best city for retirement in the South. This small city with a big personality outshone places with warmer weather and more waterfront. Its combined entertainment attractions, affordability, and retirement essentials make retiring in Chattanooga, TN, an appealing choice.

The magazine used Southern Living’s The South’s Best 2023 series for its rankings, which provided a list of the 41 top-rated destinations. From there, they analyzed various factors, including housing affordability, average resident age, unemployment rate, best industries for jobs and wages, and the availability of restaurants, hospitals, and colleges.

Why Chattanooga Stands Out

In the shadow of the commanding Lookout Mountain, Chattanooga wins people over with its impressive urban amenities, rustic, small-town charm, and natural beauty. Rolling hills and mountains frame historic brick-laid homes and buildings. Bluffs give stunning views of the Tennessee River. Music rolls through the streets, over the public art installations and through the downtown restaurants. In short, it’s the perfect combination for retirees seeking a close-knit sense of community with a love of the arts, history, tradition, superb dining, and friendly people.

More than 184,000 people live here, making it a mid-size city. But it doesn’t feel big or dense, probably because the expansive Tennessee River places communities on two sides. On the southern side, you have the restaurants and vibrant downtown tourist scene with the Tennessee Aquarium and the Hunter Museum of American Art. The artsy North Shore, riverfront parks, and historic carousel are on the northern bend. Linking the beautiful parks and dual arts scene is the lovingly restored pedestrian bridge at Walnut Street, often featured in the city’s marketing.

Cost of Retiring in Chattanooga, TN

So sure, Chattanooga is a great place to visit, but what makes it such an ideal southern city to retire? Its affordable housing market, job market, and low cost of living add to its southern appeal. The median Chattanooga home price in August 2024 was $380,000, still below the national median price of $412,300 in Q2 2024. Retirees can find waterfront homes on the river, its watershed, or Chickamauga Lake upriver in Hamilton County. Tennesee property taxes also rank among the lowest in the nation

For those who want to work in retirement, Chattanooga’s unemployment rate falls below the national average. Add to that, Tennessee lacks state income tax and has an overall generous taxing policy. Retirement nest eggs stretch a little further without missing out on what makes life fun.

Chattanooga’s affordable living is 10% below the national average. Not only is housing 25% more affordable, but transportation costs are 19% below, and health care costs run 5% below.

Things to Do For Retirees

But about all that leisure time you now have as a retiree? Chattanooga doubles down with so many outdoor activities! Retirees can:

• Cycle on the 16-mile Riverwalk or just around one of the top bicycle-friendly cities in the South, thanks to Bike Chattanooga.
• Escape to the mountains for fly fishing, whitewater, mountain biking, hiking, or other adventures. Mark hang-gliding off the bucket list!
• Party to live music at one of the many festivals like the Riverwalk Music Fest or Three Sisters Music Festival.
• Taste the local libations at Tennessee Whiskey Fest or one of the other craft brewers in town.

And if your grandkids come to visit (or you just want an excuse to be a big kid), there are plenty of activities for them, too. Visit the Chattanooga Zoo, Creative Discovery Museum, Rock City Gardens, or the historic Chickamauga Battlefield.

Annual festivals add to the social activities that make Chattanooga a fun place to retire. Boogie at Riverfront Nights in the summer or the Moon River Music Festival. SPLASH summer art festival is based at Miller Park. The River Market brings artisans to the downtown parks each Saturday from late April to October. The holidays bring a lighted boat parade and New Year’s parties.

Plus, the town is just beautiful. Lookout Mountain rises above the city, and the views from the top are truly breathtaking. Signal Mountain is another location overlooking the Tennessee River and city. The mountains and valleys surround Chattanooga, which is why its outdoor recreation is so impressive. Add to that a mild climate, with warm summers and rare dustings of snowfall in the winter, and retirees can enjoy their favorite activities and entertainment more often.

This combination of play, affordability, housing choice, and more is why Chattanooga is a top southern choice for retirees. 

Other Stand-out Towns

While retiring in Chattanooga, TN, took top accolades, a few other southern cities were called out for specific reasons. Other cities to retire you may like:

Abingdon, Virginia

For those looking to escape the grind of city living, Abingdon promises access to nature that will soothe the soul. And it does it without compromising on character and city amenities. This thriving small town is considered the arts and culture capital of Southwest Virginia! 

Live in a picture-perfect southern town with just 8,000 residents. Even though it’s a small town, Abingdon has an impressive array of amenities. As mentioned, the outdoor activities are the star in this mountain town. The Virginia Creeper Trail is probably its best-known attraction. This 34-mile cycling trail takes you from mountains to the valleys, with a section shared by the Appalachian Trail. It’s just one of the miles of trails waiting in the nearby mountains. The Blue Ridge Parkway is another prime mountain escape and an incredible place to appreciate the natural beauty of the Appalachians. Head into the surrounding forested mountains for exceptional fly-fishing rivers, hiking trails, and golfing. 

Once you’ve worked up an appetite, fulfill your cravings with a top-rated culinary scene. No joke–Abingdon has made national lists for all its dining choices and quality. Eat a tavern nearly as old as the US, or relax at a rooftop bar as the sun sets over the peaks. 

The cultural scene includes a craft beverage trail, a town-wide yard sale, a historic Main Street bustling with quaint shops, and a heritage music trail. For those who imagine their retirement spent surrounded by beautiful scenery, delicious outdoor dining, and active living, Abingdon is an attractive destination.

The median cost of housing was $305,000 in August 2024. Find a cost of living that runs 17% under the national average. The town boasts a low unemployment rate. 

Ocean Springs, Mississippi

If you want to stretch your retirement budget and find a waterfront bargain in the South, Southern Living recommends checking out Ocean Springs. With an affordable cost of living index (16% below the national average), this small waterfront town has lots to lure in retirees.

Just 15 minutes east of Biloxi’s casinos and less than half an hour from New Orleans, it presents a different kind of Southern Gulf life. The town has its own funky, artsy vibe that attracts retirees looking to retire in a place with character. With over 100 restaurants, you can dive into some good food, with seafood caught right that day. The only way to eat fresher is to catch it yourself–which you certainly can!

Ocean Springs is also a top-rated city for health and fitness, so it’s the perfect place to stay active in retirement. Enjoy swimming at Front Beach or fishing off Fort Bayou Pier, among other recreational activities. Or hit the streets and let yourself discover hidden gems in this charming coastal town. Plus there’s the scenic beauty of the oceanfront, with its rolling waves and sapphire waters. The warm Gulf of Mexico waters give the region a moderate climate.

While this is oceanfront, find a median home price of $312,000 as of August 2024.

Even More Top Southern Retirement Cities

But these aren’t the only great southern cities to retire that cropped up on their list. You may also find these appealing:

• Best Mountain Town: Blowing Rock, NC
• Best for Food Lovers: Greenville, SC
• Best Beach Town: St. Augustine, FL
• Best Arts and Culture: Savannah, GA

Find Your Retirement Home

Don’t just take their word for it – experience Chattanooga, Abington, Ocean Springs, and all the other amazing Southern cities on your own! Active retirees will appreciate the range of amenities found in these top southern cities to retire. 

Updated August 2024