Retirement Living: North Carolina's 'Seafood Capital' Is An Affordable And Charming Coastal Town

North Carolina is a state with one of the best economies, making it particularly appealing for retirees. More specifically, in the beautiful small town of Calabash — located along the Calabash River abutting South Carolina — people can enjoy a cost of living that's 13% lower than the country's average, according to Payscale. The factor contributing most to this desirable situation is housing. Per Zillow, the average home value in Calabash, as of June 30, 2025, was $356,956, which is more than $12,000 less than Zillow's listing for the national average of $369,147.

Life in Calabash comes with 2% lower grocery prices, too. That's not surprising for the Seafood Capital of the World, where fresh seafood can be especially affordable. If moving from a state where income tax rates are significant, North Carolina can offer some relief. The state used a flat state income tax rate of 4.25% in 2025, down a quarter of a percent from the previous year. Plus, this rate is scheduled to drop to 3.99% in 2026. Other cost-of-living stats to factor in before making a relocation decision include utility prices — which are 4% higher than average — transportation costs — which are 5% higher — and healthcare, which is 8% more than the national average. 

For retirees who love to fish, or simply want to pick up the hobby in their free time, annual licenses for North Carolina's residents' coastal fishing privileges cost $19. The North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission lists more than 500 public places to fish in the state such as nearby Sunset Beach and Holden Beach. If going out on a private fishing charter boat is more appealing, then FishingBooker, Inc. notes that the average four-hour trip in Calabash costs $760, with an eight-hour trip costing $1,249. 

If planning to eat out, it's easy to understand why Calabash has been dubbed the Seafood Capital of the World. Specifically, this title refers to a special cooking technique that involves applying flour to your fish or shrimp (or, if preferred, cornmeal) before dousing it in hot oil. In a casual, scenic dining setting, diners at the Waterfront Seafood Shack (which has 4.4 stars and a 94.5/100 Health Score at Yelp) can enjoy a fried shrimp plate with fries and coleslaw for $17.09, as of August 2025. The restaurant lists this dish as their most popular. And, for non-shrimp lovers, the fried fish basket, with the same sides, cost $15.39.

Since retirees create their own unique retirement lifestyles, they might decide to pair the small-town charm of Calabash with trips to the busy nearby city of Myrtle Beach — which is only 25 miles away. This can be appealing to retirees who might like to golf, since Myrtle Beach has some of the country's best courses. Although prices can range widely by course and season, in August 2025, it's possible to enjoy well-rated courses for $45-86 per golfer. Or, if you're done with golf, your old golf clubs could be worth a ton of money on the resale market — perfect for learning new hobbies.

To enjoy more ambiance, Oak Island is another great nearby fishing venue with day licensing passes available and senior discounts for people who are at least 55. At select times, people can also tour the lighthouse for free, although tours can fill up during busy tourist seasons and, if wanting to go to the top of the lighthouse to soak in the beautiful views, it's worth knowing that there are 131 steps to climb. To taste the freshly caught fish dishes of Oak Island, the Swain Seafood Shack (4.4 stars on Trip Advisor) offers seafood dinners between $23 and $36, as of August 2025, with freshly caught fish going at current market prices. As an example of their seafood options, their oysters are breaded using a special formula before being fried, and sell for $28.