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50 Cheap, Beautiful Places To Retire

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If you're like most people facing retirement, you don't have an unlimited budget. Even so, that doesn't mean that you have to settle for living out what are supposed to be your golden years in a less-than-desirable locale just to make ends meet.

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Retirement should be about enjoying your life with minimal stress and spending some time in the sun. To do that on a budget, though, you'll need to choose a retirement destination that's not only affordable but also features a hospitable climate. To assist you in your relocation plans, GOBankingRates looked at hundreds of U.S. cities to find the 50 cheapest places to retire that feature beautiful, sunny weather.

More often than not, retirees will find the most affordable and sunniest retirement destinations in the southernmost state of the continental U.S. -- Florida. Eight out of the top 10 U.S. cities on this list are located in Florida. And over 50% of the entire list is made up of cities in the Sunshine State.

If the West Coast is more your preference, you're in luck, because a few locations in California made the list. And if locations in Florida or California don't appeal, there's a handful of other affordable cities to choose from.

Read More: 50 Best (and Worst) Cities for an Early Retirement

To rank in the study, each city had to meet the following requirements: More than 25% of the population had to be age 65 or older, the median home listing price needed to be among the most affordable and the average annual temperature needed to fall in the moderate range. Check out these beautiful places to retire that won't stretch your bank account.

Last updated: Sept. 22, 2021

Althom / Getty Images
Althom / Getty Images

Prescott, Arizona

  • Median list price: $459,000

  • Average temperature (Fahrenheit): 55.8

  • Total population: 41,468

  • Percentage of population 65 and older: 35.5%

Read: Best Cities To Retire on a Budget of $1,500 a Month

Thomas Barrat / Shutterstock.com
Thomas Barrat / Shutterstock.com

Niles, Illinois

  • Median list price: $319,500

  • Average temperature (Fahrenheit): 49.4

  • Total population: 29,823

  • Percentage of population 65 and older: 25.2%

Take a Look: These Once-Hot Housing Markets Are Cooling Off

Raymond Kasprzak / Shutterstock.com
Raymond Kasprzak / Shutterstock.com

Huntley, Illinois

  • Median list price: $271,990

  • Average temperature (Fahrenheit): 48.4

  • Total population: 26,265

  • Percentage of population 65 and older: 30.5%

Discover: Most Affordable Places To Retire Near You

T71024 / Wikimedia Commons
T71024 / Wikimedia Commons

Lincoln, California

  • Median list price: $510,995

  • Average temperature (Fahrenheit): 65

  • Total population: 46,404

  • Percentage of population 65 and older: 27.2%

Denise Kappa / Shutterstock.com
Denise Kappa / Shutterstock.com

Hilton Head Island, South Carolina

  • Median list price: $489,000

  • Average temperature (Fahrenheit): 65.7

  • Total population: 39,666

  • Percentage of population 65 and older: 34%

Wildnerdpix / Shutterstock.com
Wildnerdpix / Shutterstock.com

Hot Springs Village, Arkansas

  • Median list price: $232,000

  • Average temperature (Fahrenheit): 54.4

  • Total population: 13,918

  • Percentage of population 65 and older: 61.5%

Read: How To Protect Your Retirement Savings During the Pandemic

EdwinWilke / Shutterstock.com
EdwinWilke / Shutterstock.com

Marco Island, Florida

  • Median list price: $579,900

  • Average temperature (Fahrenheit): 71.8

  • Total population: 17,561

  • Percentage of population 65 and older: 51.5%

Harry Beugelink / Shutterstock.com
Harry Beugelink / Shutterstock.com

Fountain Hills, Arizona

  • Median list price: $515,000

  • Average temperature (Fahrenheit): 69

  • Total population: 24,047

  • Percentage of population 65 and older: 34.7%

Famartin / Wikimedia Commons
Famartin / Wikimedia Commons

Holiday City-Berkeley, New Jersey

  • Median list price: $189,000

  • Average temperature (Fahrenheit): 54

  • Total population: 12,242

  • Percentage of population 65 and older: 70.1%

Pictured: Barnegat Inlet in Island Beach State Park in Berkeley Township, New Jersey

Dolly442 / Wikimedia Commons
Dolly442 / Wikimedia Commons

Laguna Woods, California

  • Median list price: $319,000

  • Average temperature (Fahrenheit): 62.4

  • Total population: 16,314

  • Percentage of population 65 and older: 82.5%

Pictured: Laguna Woods Village Golf Course

Read: How Much It Cost To Retire in the Year You Were Born

shuttersv / Shutterstock.com
shuttersv / Shutterstock.com

Bella Vista, Arkansas

  • Median list price: $197,700

  • Average temperature (Fahrenheit): 57

  • Total population: 28,092

  • Percentage of population 65 and older: 32%

Steve Minkler / Shutterstock.com
Steve Minkler / Shutterstock.com

Banning, California

  • Median list price: $277,092

  • Average temperature (Fahrenheit): 61.8

  • Total population: 30,824

  • Percentage of population 65 and older: 26.6%

Find Out: 27 Ugly Truths About Retirement

Newtonian / Shutterstock.com
Newtonian / Shutterstock.com

Oro Valley, Arizona

  • Median list price: $348,949

  • Average temperature (Fahrenheit): 65.4

  • Total population: 42,889

  • Percentage of population 65 and older: 30%

Pictured: Sonoran Desert nearby

RoschetzkyIstockPhoto / Getty Images/iStockphoto
RoschetzkyIstockPhoto / Getty Images/iStockphoto

Georgetown, Texas

  • Median list price: $323,990

  • Average temperature (Fahrenheit): 64.5

  • Total population: 63,062

  • Percentage of population 65 and older: 29.8%

Steve Hedin / Wikimedia Commons
Steve Hedin / Wikimedia Commons

Pahrump, Nevada

  • Median list price: $239,900

  • Average temperature (Fahrenheit): 62.1

  • Total population: 35,812

  • Percentage of population 65 and older: 31.2%

Bob Pool / Shutterstock.com
Bob Pool / Shutterstock.com

Saddlebrooke, Arizona

  • Median list price: $339,950

  • Average temperature (Fahrenheit): 67.5

  • Total population: 10,300

  • Percentage of population 65 and older: 69.4%

Shutterstock.com
Shutterstock.com

Palm Springs, California

  • Median list price: $468,000

  • Average temperature (Fahrenheit): 73.9

  • Total population: 47,140

  • Percentage of population 65 and older: 30%

Manuel Mayo / Shutterstock.com
Manuel Mayo / Shutterstock.com

Palm Beach Gardens, Florida

  • Median list price: $455,000

  • Average temperature (Fahrenheit): 73.5

  • Total population: 53,119

  • Percentage of population 65 and older: 29.2%

Stephen B Calvert Clariosophic / Wikimedia Commons
Stephen B Calvert Clariosophic / Wikimedia Commons

Palm City, Florida

  • Median list price: $425,000

  • Average temperature (Fahrenheit): 73.3

  • Total population: 24,537

  • Percentage of population 65 and older: 29.9%

Ken Bosma / Wikimedia Commons
Ken Bosma / Wikimedia Commons

Green Valley, Arizona

  • Median list price: $199,900

  • Average temperature (Fahrenheit): 63

  • Total population: 21,912

  • Percentage of population 65 and older: 77.3%

felixmizioznikov / Getty Images/iStockphoto
felixmizioznikov / Getty Images/iStockphoto

Aventura, Florida

  • Median list price: $399,000

  • Average temperature (Fahrenheit): 73

  • Total population: 37,875

  • Percentage of population 65 and older: 28.3%

Angel McNall Photography / Shutterstock.com
Angel McNall Photography / Shutterstock.com

Lake Havasu City, Arizona

  • Median list price: $333,000

  • Average temperature (Fahrenheit): 70

  • Total population: 53,463

  • Percentage of population 65 and older: 31.5%

Jon Bilous / Shutterstock.com
Jon Bilous / Shutterstock.com

New Smyrna Beach, Florida

  • Median list price: $341,000

  • Average temperature (Fahrenheit): 70.9

  • Total population: 25,103

  • Percentage of population 65 and older: 36.4%

Jeff Whyte / Shutterstock.com
Jeff Whyte / Shutterstock.com

Palm Desert, California

  • Median list price: $399,000

  • Average temperature (Fahrenheit): 73.9

  • Total population: 51,675

  • Percentage of population 65 and older: 33%

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Fontaine W. / Yelper
Fontaine W. / Yelper

Sun Lakes, Arizona

  • Median list price: $333,000

  • Average temperature (Fahrenheit): 71

  • Total population: 14,800

  • Percentage of population 65 and older: 78.9%

Sean Pavone / Shutterstock.com
Sean Pavone / Shutterstock.com

Sarasota, Florida

  • Median list price: $359,000

  • Average temperature (Fahrenheit): 73.1

  • Total population: 55,103

  • Percentage of population 65 and older: 26.5%

ablokhin / Getty Images
ablokhin / Getty Images

Naples, Florida

  • Median list price: $399,000

  • Average temperature (Fahrenheit): 75.1

  • Total population: 21,279

  • Percentage of population 65 and older: 51.5%

Stephen Orsillo / Shutterstock.com
Stephen Orsillo / Shutterstock.com

Bonita Springs, Florida

  • Median list price: $389,450

  • Average temperature (Fahrenheit): 74.7

  • Total population: 51,890

  • Percentage of population 65 and older: 38.7%

PhotoYoshi / Getty Images/iStockphoto
PhotoYoshi / Getty Images/iStockphoto

Ormond Beach, Florida

  • Median list price: $298,450

  • Average temperature (Fahrenheit): 70.7

  • Total population: 41,238

  • Percentage of population 65 and older: 29.4%

Michael Warren / Getty Images/iStockphoto
Michael Warren / Getty Images/iStockphoto

Palm Coast, Florida

  • Median list price: $269,000

  • Average temperature (Fahrenheit): 69.4

  • Total population: 82,356

  • Percentage of population 65 and older: 27%

Shutterstock.com
Shutterstock.com

Sun City West, Arizona

  • Median list price: $$255,950

  • Average temperature (Fahrenheit): 69

  • Total population: 25,085

  • Percentage of population 65 and older: 82.8%

Pictured: Sun City, Arizona

SkyViewsPhotography / Getty Images/iStockphoto
SkyViewsPhotography / Getty Images/iStockphoto

Palm Harbor, Florida

  • Median list price: $319,900

  • Average temperature (Fahrenheit): 72

  • Total population: 61,553

  • Percentage of population 65 and older: 27.1%

PeterEtchells / Getty Images
PeterEtchells / Getty Images

Tarpon Springs, Florida

  • Median list price: $304,900

  • Average temperature (Fahrenheit): 72

  • Total population: 24,686

  • Percentage of population 65 and older: 28.5%

Ilya Images / Shutterstock.com
Ilya Images / Shutterstock.com

Dunedin, Florida

  • Median list price: $299,00

  • Average temperature (Fahrenheit): 72.6

  • Total population: 36,099

  • Percentage of population 65 and older: 30.6%

nwinter / Getty Images/iStockphoto
nwinter / Getty Images/iStockphoto

Apache Junction, Arizona

  • Median list price: $220,000

  • Average temperature (Fahrenheit): 69

  • Total population: 38,452

  • Percentage of population 65 and older: 31.3%

BernieCB / Flickr.com
BernieCB / Flickr.com

Estero, Florida

  • Median list price: $339,900

  • Average temperature (Fahrenheit): 74.7

  • Total population: 31,510

  • Percentage of population 65 and older: 45.3%

Jim Schwabel / Shutterstock.com
Jim Schwabel / Shutterstock.com

Venice, Florida

  • Median list price: $$291,945

  • Average temperature (Fahrenheit): 73

  • Total population: 22,192

  • Percentage of population 65 and older: 61.1%

Peter Titmuss / Shutterstock.com
Peter Titmuss / Shutterstock.com

The Villages, Florida

  • Median list price: $269,900

  • Average temperature (Fahrenheit): 72.2

  • Total population: 74,618

  • Percentage of population 65 and older: 78.6%

Jim Schwabel / Shutterstock.com
Jim Schwabel / Shutterstock.com

Englewood, Florida

  • Median list price: $299,900

  • Average temperature (Fahrenheit): 73.8

  • Total population: 15,169

  • Percentage of population 65 and older: 49.4%

Badger13 / Shutterstock.com
Badger13 / Shutterstock.com

Sun City, Arizona

  • Median list price: $189,000

  • Average temperature (Fahrenheit): 69

  • Total population: 39,000

  • Percentage of population 65 and older: 75.6%

David Balmer / Wikimedia Commons
David Balmer / Wikimedia Commons

Iona, Florida

  • Median list price: $280,360

  • Average temperature (Fahrenheit): 74

  • Total population: 14,349

  • Percentage of population 65 and older: 52.4%

Pictured: Shell Point Golf Course

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Nelson Sirlin / Shutterstock.com
Nelson Sirlin / Shutterstock.com

Punta Gorda, Florida

  • Median list price: $267,500

  • Average temperature (Fahrenheit): 73.9

  • Total population: 18,656

  • Percentage of population 65 and older: 55.3%

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Mikereichold / Wikimedia Commons
Mikereichold / Wikimedia Commons

Largo, Florida

  • Median list price: $238,000

  • Average temperature (Fahrenheit): 72.6

  • Total population: 82,433

  • Percentage of population 65 and older: 25.6%

Pictured: Taylor Lake

Shutterstock.com
Shutterstock.com

Sebastian, Florida

  • Median list price: $235,000

  • Average temperature (Fahrenheit): 73

  • Total population: 23,923

  • Percentage of population 65 and older: 31.6%

steve estvanik / Shutterstock.com
steve estvanik / Shutterstock.com

Rancho Mirage, California

  • Median list price: $247,250

  • Average temperature (Fahrenheit): 73.9

  • Total population: 17,975

  • Percentage of population 65 and older: 51.7%

Stan Shebs / Wikimedia Commons
Stan Shebs / Wikimedia Commons

Bullhead City, Arizona

  • Median list price: $260,000

  • Average temperature (Fahrenheit): 74.7

  • Total population: 39,824

  • Percentage of population 65 and older: 29.2%

Sun City Senior Living / Yelper
Sun City Senior Living / Yelper

Sun City Center, Florida

  • Median list price: $210,245

  • Average temperature (Fahrenheit): 72.4

  • Total population: 21,986

  • Percentage of population 65 and older: 73.7%

Pictured: Sun City Senior Living in Sun City, Florida nearby

Lucile Purnell / Shutterstock.com
Lucile Purnell / Shutterstock.com

Port Charlotte, Florida

  • Median list price: $220,000

  • Average temperature (Fahrenheit): 73.9

  • Total population: 59,654

  • Percentage of population 65 and older: 30%

Ebyabe / Wikimedia Commons
Ebyabe / Wikimedia Commons

North Fort Meyers, Florida

  • Median list price: $210,950

  • Average temperature (Fahrenheit): 75.1

  • Total population: 40,916

  • Percentage of population 65 and older: 47.2%

Pictured: J. Colin English School in North Fort Meyers, Florida

Rose West Photo / Shutterstock.com
Rose West Photo / Shutterstock.com

Tamarac, Florida

  • Median list price: $199,845

  • Average temperature (Fahrenheit): 75.5

  • Total population: 64,262

  • Percentage of population 65 and older: 26%

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Methodology: GOBankingRates determined the cheapest cities by analyzing 847 U.S. cities with populations of over 10,000 people, narrowing down the list of cities to only those with greater than 25% share of the population being 65-year-olds and older, sourced from the Census Bureau's 2017 American Community Survey. From this list of cities, the two main factors used were (1) median home listing price, sourced from Zillow's July 2019 index; and (2) average annual temperature, sourced from Weather Base. All data compiled on Aug. 27, 2019.

This article originally appeared on GOBankingRates.com: 50 Cheap, Beautiful Places To Retire