7 Cost-Effective Towns In The Poconos For Retirees

While many retirees feel drawn to the subtropical climates of Florida, others prefer to experience regions with four seasons. In the beautiful Poconos Mountains, you can experience it all: April showers, August sunshine, cool Octobers, and snowy Decembers. With some of the prettiest landscapes in the country—from alpine waterways to rugged summits—the Poconos region stands out as one of the best places to retire in the United States.

With beauty this profound, some seniors assume living in the Poconos is well outside of their budget. However, there are several cost-effective towns, and living here can be extremely affordable if you know where to look. Along with a reasonable cost of living and affordable housing, these seven Poconos towns promise spirited downtowns, friendly locals, top-rated medical facilities, and postcard scenes you will never grow tired of.

Stroudsburg

Stroudsburg is an oasis for seniors seeking affordability and simple pleasures. According to realtor.com, the town's median listing price for homes was $437K in November 2024, while the median selling price fell to a more reasonable $300K. That same month, the National Association of Realtors reported that the median price for an existing home in the United States was higher, at $406,100.

Savings continue to add up when you factor in the town's “Very Walkable” rating. Instead of traveling far for leisure and shopping, locals can park and stroll Stroudburg’s 19th-century town center. Along with artsy attractions like the Gamut Art Gallery and Sherman Theater, downtown Stroudsburg features a variety of shops and activities like Earthlight Natural Foods and the Boundless Yoga Studio.

For seniors with a passion for the outdoors, Stroudsburg is also a gateway to the Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area. A brief 10-minute drive from town will bring you to this iconic Pennsylvania attraction, which welcomed over 4.2 million people in 2023. This free-entry 70,000-acre area boasts access to 40 miles of the Delaware River, 3 beaches, and over 150 miles of nature trails.

Honesdale

Located about an hour north of Stroudsburg, Honesdale is another budget-friendly Poconos town perfect for retirees looking to buy their forever home. While the median home listing in Honesdale currently sits at around $299K, the median selling price was $290K in November. With home prices trending down almost -10% year-over-year, affordability is one of the main reasons retirees love Honesdale.

For seniors prioritizing health, Honesdale also offers convenient access to medical facilities such as Wayne Memorial Hospital, minimizing travel time and costs. Additionally, the town provides ample opportunities for fresh air and exercise with the scenic Lackawaxen River flowing through it. Whether taking daily riverfront strolls at Sycamore Point Park or exploring the nearby Tanners Falls Walking Trail, you will find that beauty and wellness go hand in hand in Honesdale.

Beyond its stunning natural surroundings, this “Birthplace of the American Railroad” is anchored by its history. In 1829, America’s first commercial steam locomotive arrived here, and today, locals can ride the same tracks. Stourbridge Line Train Excursions offers fun and festive rides through the Poconos Mountains year-round, departing right from downtown. Main Street is also where you can find Honesdale’s top-rated attractions and restaurants, including the Wayne County Historical Society Museum and Twisted Rail Tavern.

Jim Thorpe

During your search for Pennsylvania’s best places to retire, you have probably come across Jim Thorpe countless times—and for good reason. Like Honesdale, this charming Poconos community has a rich and vibrant history that dates back to the 1800s. Today, the town’s 19th-century buildings and Victorian manors give Jim Thorpe its signature frozen-in-time charm, with landmarks like the Mauch Chunk Opera House, Asa Packer Mansion, and Harry Packer Mansion Inn.

Luckily, you do not have to pay mansion prices to call Jim Thorpe home. Like Honesdale, the median listing price for homes in this Poconos town has been trending down as of November 2024, around -17% year-over-year. While the median selling price is higher than Honesdale, at $330K, Jim Thorpe homes have also been selling around 3% below the asking price, making them that much more affordable than the US median.

Continuing with the similarities, Jim Thorpe is also home to an iconic train excursion. Riding in vintage coaches, the Lehigh Gorge Scenic Railway carries you along the Lehigh River past mountainsides, over bridges, and finally, into Lehigh Gorge State Park. For a more in-depth view of the area’s river, waterfalls, and famous Lehigh Gorge Trail, exploring this mesmerizing 6,107-acre park on foot is one of the best perks of living in Jim Thorpe.

White Haven

In the western foothills of the Poconos Mountains, White Haven is the perfect retirement destination for nature-loving seniors. Along with local parks like Lehigh Park and Linesville Park, this Poconos community is a gateway to one of the most beautiful state parks in the country. Spanning 15,990 scenic acres, Hickory Run State Park is a breath of fresh air for seniors who love to fish, hike, and picnic. With countless trout streams, over 40 miles of hiking trails, and a gorgeous picnic area next to Sand Spring Lake, it is hard to believe entry to this White Haven attraction is free.

In the warmer months, Sand Spring Lake is popular for its swimming beach. But wintertime brings on new recreation, the frozen lake transformed into a skating rink. Elsewhere in the park, Boulder Field is another breathtaking landscape to explore, along with the Lehigh River and the 25-foot Hawk Falls waterfall.

With all this beauty and recreation within 15 minutes of town, it is equally hard to believe that homes in White Haven are more affordable than the US median. The town's $375K median selling price still leaves plenty of room for savings, and as of November 2024, houses have been averaging nearly 7% below the asking price.

Palmerton

About 40 minutes southeast of White Haven, Palmerton is one of the most cost-effective boroughs in Carbon County, a region known for its breathtaking mountain scenes. In November 2024, the median listing price of a home in Carbon County came to nearly $325K. By comparison, Palmerton's median listing price was much lower, at just $215K.

Like Jim Thorpe, Palmerton is a gateway to Lehigh Gorge State Park, with an extra half-hour drive tacked on. Alternatively, for outdoor recreation a bit more local, Palmerton’s proximity to the Lehigh River can be enjoyed at spots like Riverview Park. Right next door, Extreme Adventure Travel Outfitters offers all the equipment needed to raft these beautiful waters, but the views from land are just as serene.

With Palmerton’s affordable housing, you may want to put more of your savings towards the area’s other attractions. This includes the Blue Mountain Resort, a year-round recreation area just 15 minutes from Palmerton. Seniors 70 and older can save on winter lift tickets while the rest of the year is great for disc golf, and exploring alpine hiking trails.

Wilkes-Barre

While primarily thought of as a college town with a youthful atmosphere, Wilkes-Barre is also an idyllic retirement destination. Young professionals and seniors alike can relish in the affordability of this Poconos town, where the median selling price of a home was just $133K this previous November. Renting here is also incredibly affordable, ranging from just $500 to $2.5K per month.

As another “Very Walkable” town (according to walkscore.com), Wilkes-Barre’s downtown is a great place to get your steps in and save on transportation costs, whether running errands or strolling for leisure. Wilkes-Barre's downtown is where you can find the town’s spirited art scene at locales like the Little Theatre of Wilkes-Barre, Sordoni Art Gallery, and F.M. Kirby Center for the Performing Arts. A short drive from downtown, the Seven Tubs Recreation Area is another great place to stay active and get some steps in. The 400-acre park is named after its glacial meltwater pools, whose beauty can be viewed from trails like the 1.8-mile Audubon Loop.

Milford

Beyond its reputation as a “Quaint Riverside Retreat,” the Poconos town of Milford is a fabulous place to retire. Once a resort town in the Gilded Age, present-day Milford is a popular retirement spot for those who appreciate the charms of a Victorian-era town. Along with attractions like The Columns Museum, Milford’s frozen-in-time Historic District boasts over 50 Victorian buildings within a 20-block radius. Other historic landmarks in town include the Grey Towers National Historic Site, a castle-like mansion straight from the pages of a storybook.

Similar to Jim Thorpe, you can find far humbler homes for sale in Milford beyond its historic mansions. While November’s median home selling price was $370K, this is still below the US median. The median listing price for homes in Milford has also been trending down over -11% year-over-year, meaning more savings may be on the horizon.

With Milford’s setting on the Delaware River, many seniors recognize the value of investing in a property here. Even if a waterfront home is out of your budget, the town is brimming with scenic picnic spots to enjoy, like Milford Beach. Hiking areas are also in high supply, with paths like the Milford Knob Trailhead. For seniors looking to stay in shape, this world-class trail is known for its panoramic views of the river and historic Milford from atop Raymondskill Ridge.

Why Retire in These Affordable Poconos Towns?

Choosing where to retire can be a stressful decision for many seniors, especially when working within a set budget and a specific lifestyle in mind. Fortunately, these seven towns in the Poconos prove that affordable living does not mean compromising on quality. Whether you are drawn to Stroudsburg’s vibrant downtown brimming with activities or Palmerton’s classic ski resort atmosphere, these Poconos towns cater to every retiree's budget and vision, ensuring your retirement is the best it can be.