10 Budget-Friendly Remote Cities for Retirees Who Enjoy Peace and Quiet

When you retire from the hustle and bustle of daily work schedules, it's only natural to want to seek out a place that offers a slower pace. The ideal location should still offer decent Wi-Fi, easy access to medical care, and rent that falls around $1,000 a month and below. Fortunately, there are plenty of cities and towns off the beaten path that check those boxes.

Below are 10 places that offer a stress-free retirement for those on a budget.

Editor's note: Unless otherwise noted, all data listed below on rent came from Apartments.com, and housing costs are from Zillow.com.

Average rent: $1,006

Average home price: $267,895

St. Johnsbury is a small, tight-knit town with a population of less than 6,000. There are multiple museums, including the Fairbanks Museum & Planetarium and the St. Johnsbury History and Heritage Center. Residents can also enjoy a local distillery and brewery for tasting. There are also several spots for hiking and biking, such as the Lamoille Valley Rail Trail, which offers quiet places to retreat.

In addition to low housing costs, the cost of living is about 10% lower than the national average.

Average rent: $477

Average home price: $183,246

If you prefer a colder climate and enjoy the outdoors, Iron Mountain might be a good place to consider for relocation. This small town is listed as one of the top 10 retirement towns in the state according to World Atlas. It offers four very distinct seasons, allowing retirees to enjoy skiing in the winter and golf in the summer. Crime rates are low, and the local hospital offers comprehensive care.

Necessities, like groceries and transportation, are approximately 20% cheaper in Iron Mountain than in other cities across the country. Housing costs are also extremely affordable.

Average rent: $982

Average home price: $206,767

North Platte is located in the west-central part of the state near the Platte River. Winters can be long with lots of snow, which makes the city feel isolated in the colder months. For those who love the outdoors, the city offers plenty to do with trails for horseback riding, mountain biking, and hiking. The closest large city is Denver, which is approximately a two-hour drive.

The average rent is less than $1,000 a month, and the cost of living is around 18% lower than the national average. Home prices are also low, providing an excellent opportunity for home ownership.

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Average rent: $526

Average home price: $143,743

Hutchinson is located approximately an hour northwest of Wichita. While there are plenty of things to see and do, there are often miles and miles of endless fields between them, making the area seem less populated than it truly is. For those who prefer peace and quiet, there's the Dillon Nature Center, which has over 300 species of plants and 200 species of birds. You can also visit the Yoder Amish Community and see what life is like for the Amish in Kansas.

Retirees living on a budget will find Hutchinson very affordable, with low rent and a cost of living around 27% less than the national average and 13% less than the state average.

Average rent: $862

Average home price: $213,787

Bemidji lies on the southwest shore of Lake Bemidji, approximately two and a half hours north of St. Cloud. In spite of its distance from big cities, Bemidji offers comprehensive medical care at the Sanford Bemidji Medical Center and a historic downtown area with museums and shops. There are over 400 fishing lakes within a 25-mile radius, which is an angler's dream. The surrounding green spaces also offer hiking, biking, snowmobiling, and skiing.

The overall cost of living in Bemidji is affordable for some, with groceries, health care, and transportation costing 21% less than in other areas of the country. Seniors can also get tax relief through various programs, including the Senior Citizens Property Tax Deferral Program.

Average rent: $817

Average home price: $143,422

Beckley is a small city tucked away in the Appalachian Mountains close to the New River Gorge National Park and Preserve. Wide open spaces, parks, and museums provide the backdrop for residents in Beckley. According to World Atlas, approximately 22% of the residents in Beckley are aged 65 and older, making it a popular spot for retirees. There are also two full-service hospitals in the area, including the Beckley Appalachian Regional Hospital and Raleigh General.

Beckley offers an affordable living cost, with rent costing 25% less than the national average.

Average rent: $614

Average home price: $145,220

Lumberton is located in the longleaf-pine flatlands of southeastern North Carolina, approximately 90 miles from both Raleigh and Wilmington. This distance from large cities gives Lumberton a distinctly small-town pace, while still providing easy day access to big-city hospitals and airports.

All Social Security benefits are exempt from state income taxes, allowing retirees to keep more of their money at the end of the year. Moderate property taxes and a cost of living 28% lower than the national average make the city an affordable place to live.

Average rent: $630

Average home price: $71,770

Situated on the Arkansas River, Pine Bluff is 45 miles south of Little Rock. It combines remote river-delta scenery with low rent and housing costs and a cost of living that's 32% lower than the national average.

The city offers miles of trails for hiking and biking, including the Lake Saracen Walking Trail and the Byrd Lake Natural Area Trail. Jefferson Regional Medical Center also offers comprehensive medical care, including cardiology and cancer services.

Average rent: $1,002

Average home price: $140,886

Big Spring lies on the edge of the Permian Basin, approximately 100 miles from Lubbock. Retirees can fish for catfish at the Comanche Trail Park's spring-fed lake or practice their photography skills at the Big Spring State Park. The semi-arid climate in Big Spring may also appeal to seniors with joint and respiratory issues.

The cost of living in Big Spring is approximately 25% lower than in most cities nationwide, making it appealing to retirees on a budget. Rent is also considerably lower than the national average of $1,750.

Average rent: $889

Average home price: $169,414

Roswell is best known for its Unidentified Flying Object (UFO) sighting lore. In reality, the city is uncrowded and affordable, making it ideal for retirees wanting a quiet place to settle. The city has multiple museums, local caverns to explore, and multiple parks for hiking and exploring.

Rent is below $900 a month, and groceries, utilities, and other necessities cost around 29% lower than the national average.

Retirees looking for remote cities have plenty of options across the United States. If you value peace and quiet but still want access to essentials and to stretch your retirement dollars, the above 10 towns are worth a look.

In addition to costs and amenities, there are always other things to consider when choosing a place to retire, such as proximity to loved ones, available government benefit programs, and the size of the senior community.