FinanceBuzz’s October 1, 2026 article lists 12 Southern cities with reported median rents from $872 to $1,249 a month. Those figures make the cities worth comparing for lower-cost housing, but they do not show that someone can cover all retirement expenses on $1,300 a month: food, utilities, transportation, insurance, taxes and healthcare are not included in a complete budget.
The figures below are snapshots attributed to Zillow by FinanceBuzz; the article does not give a precise observation month for each city. Treat them as comparison points, not current rental quotes, and check listings and your full monthly expenses before deciding where to move.
Reported rents and home values in the 12 cities
FinanceBuzz attributes the rent and average home-value figures to Zillow and its cost-of-living comparisons to Sperling’s BestPlaces. It reports that each city is below the national cost-of-living average; the percentages shown in the article range from 12.6% below average in Columbia to 27.3% in Albany. The article does not specify the exact dates or index details for the city figures, so these comparisons should not be read as a household-specific budget.
| City | Reported median monthly rent | Reported average home value | Setting noted by FinanceBuzz |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jonesboro, Arkansas | $872 | $219,207 | Crowley’s Ridge; a large college presence |
| Albany, Georgia | $964 | $126,497 | Near the Flint River |
| Shreveport, Louisiana | $964 | $130,670 | On the Red River |
| McAllen, Texas | $970 | $223,108 | Near the Rio Grande |
| Lawton, Oklahoma | $999 | $137,303 | Near the Wichita Mountains |
| Greenville, North Carolina | $1,000 | $230,909 | Near the Tar River |
| Dothan, Alabama | $1,016 | $199,443 | FinanceBuzz also describes cultural and outdoor amenities |
| Roanoke, Virginia | $1,043 | $268,725 | Riverfront and greenway access |
| Bowling Green, Kentucky | $1,092 | $279,863 | On the Barren River |
| Jackson, Mississippi | $1,101 | $81,119 | Near the Pearl River |
| Johnson City, Tennessee | $1,107 | $282,216 | In an Appalachian valley |
| Columbia, South Carolina | $1,249 | $222,940 | Near the Congaree, Broad and Saluda rivers |
Source for city figures and location descriptions: FinanceBuzz, updated October 1, 2026. FinanceBuzz identifies Zillow as the source for rents and home values and Sperling’s BestPlaces for cost-of-living comparisons. The retrieved article text does not state exact observation dates for individual city figures.
#1 Best Overall
What the $1,300 figure does—and does not—mean
The title’s threshold applies to the reported housing figures, not to the full cost of retirement. A median rent is a market statistic, not a promise that a particular apartment is available at that price. It also says nothing by itself about what a renter will pay for utilities, groceries, transportation, insurance, taxes or medical care.
Rent measures also change over time. Zillow says its rent index is designed to track rental-market trends using repeat rents, and its housing data products are updated regularly. In Zillow Research’s June 2026 national report, typical asking rent was $1,965, up 2.2% year over year; 39.7% of Zillow listings had a concession that month. These national figures are context about a changing market, not confirmation of the city-level rents in FinanceBuzz’s list.
Rank #2
- Ideal for Gifting
- Ideal for a bookworm
- Compact for travelling
Sources: Zillow Research data and methodology and Zillow Research’s June 2026 rent report.
How to assess whether a city fits your retirement budget
- Price the housing you would actually choose. Check current listings for the type and size of home you need, and include utilities, deposits, fees and likely maintenance. Compare several neighborhoods rather than relying on one citywide median.
- Build a full monthly budget. Add food, transportation, insurance, healthcare, taxes and other recurring costs to housing. Use your own expected expenses and income; a citywide cost-of-living percentage does not determine what an individual household will spend.
- Check taxes and retirement income treatment. Confirm how the state and local rules apply to your pension, Social Security, withdrawals and other income using current official sources. FinanceBuzz mentions state-tax considerations, but those assertions are not independently established here.
- Check access to the care you need. Look for nearby providers, specialists, hospitals, pharmacies and transportation options relevant to your situation. The article names amenities but does not compare healthcare access across all 12 cities on a consistent measure.
- Test the location against daily life. Consider climate, terrain, transit or driving needs, cultural and outdoor activities, and distance from family. FinanceBuzz’s river, ridge, mountain and valley descriptions can help orient a first comparison, but they are not a substitute for visiting or checking local services.
How to use this list
For a renter, the reported medians offer a starting point for identifying places to investigate, with Jonesboro at the low end of the list and Columbia at the high end. For someone considering buying, the reported average home values provide a separate point of comparison, but they do not estimate a mortgage payment, property taxes, insurance or upkeep. Neither figure establishes that a move is affordable without a complete budget and current local prices.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- It can be a gift option
- Comes with secure packaging
- Helpful in various ways
Rank #4
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