Forget Florida, Retire To This State With Warm Beaches, Tax Breaks, And A Lower Cost Of Living

If your idea of a dream retirement involves good weather and coastal living, but you don't want to pay the higher costs of living in Florida, consider Georgia instead. Not only are there plenty of beaches along the state's 110 miles of shore, but according to the University of Georgia, average high temperatures for the Georgia Coastal Plain (which covers about 3/5 of the state) are 77 degrees Fahrenheit with average lows around 54 – meaning you can enjoy those beaches year-round. 

Bankrate ranked Georgia as the third best place to retire in 2024, using affordability as the most heavily weighted factor (40%). Costs of living in Georgia, according to Salary.com, are 9% lower than the national average, with a single person needing an average of $2,252 a month to live in 2026. In contrast, Florida's cost of living is 2% higher than the national average, with a single person needing $2,524 per month. Plus, the state offers income tax exclusions for retirees age 62 and older, helping retiree money go further.

Considering the savings required to retire at age 65 in many Southern states, Georgia is often a more affordable option. For instance, when looking at home values, per Zillow as of July 2026, Florida's average home value was $378,167 while Georgia's was $334,119. Plus, using 2024 and 2025 data, GOBankingRates placed Georgia as the 14th most affordable state, requiring $848,933 in retirement savings. Meanwhile Florida, was the 31st most affordable, requiring $967,190 to retire.

While it's true that Georgia has a state income tax rate of 4.99% in 2026 — compared to Florida's lack of a state income tax — this rate is set to drop annually until it reaches 3.99%. That said, some Georgia lawmakers hope to eventually eliminate personal income taxes in the state altogether. Plus, the state's sales tax rate of 4% is lower than Florida's 6% rate.

Insurance products can also be more affordable in Georgia. According to StateCalc, the average cost of home insurance premiums was $1,828 in Georgia in August 2026 — compared to $2,779 in Florida. In fact, MoneyGeek listed Florida as having the most costly home insurance rates in June 2026, while Georgia landed in the middle at No. 24. Meanwhile, car insurance is also cheaper in Georgia, running about $1,555 a year, compared to $1,865 in Florida.

Or, for retirees considering assisted living facilities instead, Georgia is one of the states with the cheapest assisted living costs. For 2026, Where Assisted Living listed Georgia as the 11th most affordable state, with a median monthly cost of $3,800. Florida, meanwhile, came in No. 27 at $4,500 per month.