6 Most Affordable Towns to Retire on Gulf Coast

Aside from the powder-soft sand, pristine beaches, marshlands, and scenic waterfront views, the Gulf Coast often provides a more budget-friendly retirement option. Compared to the East Coast and the West Coast, the Gulf Coast features warmer water accessible almost year-round, and gentler waves, making it more ideal for swimming and paddleboarding. Additionally, according to the financial technology firm SmartAsset, all the Gulf Coast states are either "tax-friendly" or "very tax-friendly." Discover the seven most affordable towns to retire on the Gulf Coast, from Biloxi, Mississippi, to Fort Walton Beach, Florida.

Biloxi, Mississippi

Home to about 49,000 residents, Biloxi is situated on a narrow Gulf Coast peninsula approximately 13 miles west of Gulfport, Mississippi. Being close to Gulfport, the second-largest city in the Magnolia State, Biloxi has easy access to amenities, including hospitals (such as the award-winning Singing River Gulfport), shopping venues, and restaurants. In March 2024, the median listing home price in Biloxi was just $306,600, placing it among the most affordable towns to retire on the Gulf Coast. Biloxi, once known as the Seafood Capital of the World, celebrates this heritage at the Maritime & Seafood Industry Museum, which features unique maritime artifacts and exhibits. The town also boasts a picturesque beach and a historic lighthouse, one of the first cast-iron lighthouses built in the South over 170 years ago. Additionally, Biloxi hosts the Ohr-O'Keefe Museum of Art, a Smithsonian Affiliate dedicated to the ceramics of George E. Ohr, the "Mad Potter of Biloxi." The town has a median age of 36, with residents aged 60 and above comprising 22% of its population.

Dunedin, Florida

Florida is renowned for its world-class beaches and is a top retirement destination in America. However, property prices, especially near the water, can be exorbitant. Dunedin offers a more affordable alternative with a median home listing price of just $399,000. This price affords retirees the opportunity to live in a locale that served as the setting for the Hallmark Channel’s “A Taste of Love.” A short drive across the Dunedin Causeway to Honeymoon Island provides a therapeutic escape, as does an adventure to nearby Caladesi Island State Park, accessible only by boat. For craft beer enthusiasts, Dunedin Brewery, the oldest microbrewery in the state, offers a lively place to enjoy live music. Additionally, Mease Dunedin Hospital, located in the town, has received the Outstanding Patient Experience Award twice consecutively. With a median age of 57, Dunedin epitomizes a quintessential retirement destination.

New Port Richey, Florida

With a population of about 17,800, New Port Richey was once dubbed the "Hollywood of the East." Although it doesn't match its Los Angeles counterpart, New Port Richey offers a variety of cultural experiences, including plays, musicals, and comedy shows, particularly at the historic Richey Suncoast Theatre, the town's premier performing arts venue. In March 2024, the median listing home price in New Port Richey was an affordable $300,000. Retirees here can enjoy watching dolphins at the Robert K. Rees Memorial Park, paddling the Pithlachascotee or "Cotee" River, and spending a romantic weekend at the Hacienda, one of Florida’s original pink hotels. For healthcare, Morton Plant North Bay Hospital, a 2024 recipient of the Outstanding Patient Experience Award, is located within the town. With a median age of 54, New Port Richey offers a near-perfect social setting for retirees looking to connect with peers in the same age bracket.

Ocean Springs, Mississippi

With a median home listing price of $298,900, Ocean Springs is one of the most affordable towns to retire on the Gulf Coast. Retirees can enjoy waterfront living, fun festivals such as the Peter Anderson Arts & Crafts Festival, Mississippi's largest fine arts festival, and the artistic offerings at the Walter Anderson Museum of Art. The Mary C. O'Keefe Cultural Arts Center offers movies, art galleries, and local creative goods. Additionally, Front Beach provides an ideal venue for a barefoot evening walk. For amenities, including hospitals, Biloxi is just a 4-mile drive away, easily accessed via the scenic Biloxi Bay Bridge. Ocean Springs has a median age of 41, with 27% of its population aged 60 and above.

Port Isabel, Texas

Texas's lack of a state income tax makes it one of the most budget-friendly retirement destinations in the United States. In Port Isabel, retirees can find waterfront living for a median home listing price of about $350,000. This small town, with a population of about 5,000, offers a peaceful, secluded retirement setting with access to pristine beaches, including those at nearby South Padre Island, known for their cleanliness. The eye-catching Port Isabel Lighthouse, built in 1852 and the only public lighthouse along the Texas coastline, provides breathtaking views. The Queen Isabella Causeway, the second-longest bridge in Texas, connects Port Isabel to South Padre Island. In case of a medical emergency, Valley Baptist Medical Center in Brownsville is just a half-hour drive away. The median age in Port Isabel is 39, but 27% of the population is aged 60 and above.

Fort Walton Beach, Florida

In Fort Walton Beach, the median listing home price was $370,000 in March 2024, a bargain for a Florida destination considering that the state's median listing home price is $454,900. Retirement here can be enriching with evening strolls on quartz-sand beaches, mid-day dives in clear waters, visits to the nearby Gulfarium Marine Adventure Park to see alligators and dolphins, and enjoying fresh "Gulf-to-table" seafood at places like Stewby's Seafood Shanty. On the healthcare front, including prostate issues, HCA Florida Fort Walton-Destin Hospital is ranked among America's 100 Best Hospitals for Prostate Surgery. The median age in Fort Walton Beach is a youthful 39, but with 26% of the population aged 60 and above, retirees will find many peers to share experiences.

The Takeaway

Choosing to retire on the Gulf Coast offers access to pristine beaches, soothing breezes, warm water nearly year-round, and powder-soft sand. Beyond these natural benefits, the Gulf Coast is notably more affordable than the West Coast and East Coast. According to the financial technology company SmartAsset, Florida and Mississippi are ranked as "very tax-friendly," with Alabama, Louisiana, and Texas as "tax-friendly." For those seeking an affordable retirement destination on the Gulf Coast, consider towns such as Biloxi, Mississippi, Dunedin, Florida, and Port Isabel, Texas.