Retirement Retired Life

11 Places To Retire That Are Just Like California (But Aren’t in California)

Escape to California-like havens without the Golden State price tag.

By Jenny Cohen

Edited by Chris Kissell

Updated April 24, 2025

California sounds like a dream location for retirement. But the state's high cost of living and high taxes can make retiring in the Golden State daunting.

Fortunately, there are many places that share California's charms but don't come with the state's high price tag.

Whether you're planning for retirement or your golden years are still a little while away, check out these options if you want a California-like retirement without the drawbacks.

Earn cash back on everyday purchases with this rare account

Want to earn cash back on your everyday purchases without using a credit card? With the Discover®️ Cashback Debit Checking account (member FDIC), you can earn 1% cash back on up to $3,000 in debit card purchases each month!¹ See website for details.

With no credit check to apply and no monthly fees to worry about, you can earn nearly passive income on purchases you’re making anyway — up to an extra $360 a year!

This rare checking account has other great perks too, like access to your paycheck up to 2 days early with Early Pay, no minimum deposit or monthly balance requirements, over 60K fee-free ATMs, and the ability to add cash to your account at Walmart stores nationwide.

Don’t leave money on the table — it only takes minutes to apply and it won’t impact your credit score.

Apply for a Discover Cashback Checking account today

Austin, Texas

Austin is known for being an eclectic town with a fantastic music scene, fun outdoor activities, and cool bars and restaurants. The city also has great weather, which is important if that's one reason you've considered California.

While Austin's cost of living is far below that of many California towns, the capital city has become a somewhat expensive place to live. So, before you retire, you might want to visit and see if it's right for you.

Who really has the cheapest auto insurance in your area? Check your zip code here.

Brookings, Oregon

If you like California's location but don't want to live in the state, head a little farther up the coast to Brookings.

The town on the Pacific Ocean has a coastal, small-town feel without the added costs of living in California. It can be a great place if you want to spend some of your retired life outdoors or on the water.

Charleston, South Carolina

If you love the ocean but don't mind switching from the Pacific to the Atlantic, add Charleston to your list of retirement candidates.

The South Carolina city has parks and museums, and costs are more affordable than in California. South Carolina doesn't tax Social Security income and only partially taxes pensions and retirement account withdrawals.

If you’re over 50, take advantage of massive discounts and financial resources

Over 50? Join AARP today — because if you’re not a member you could be missing out on huge perks. When you start your membership today, you can get discounts on things like travel, meal deliveries, eyeglasses, prescriptions that aren’t covered by insurance and more.

How to become a member today:

Go here, select your free gift, and click “Join Today”
Create your account (important!) by answering a few simple questions
Start enjoying your discounts and perks!

You’ll also get insider info on social security, job listings, caregiving, and retirement planning. And you’ll get access to AARP’s Fraud Watch Network to help you protect your money, as well as tools to help you plan for retirement.

Important: Start your membership by creating an account here and filling in all of the information (Do not skip this step!) Doing so will allow you to take up 25% off your AARP membership, making it just $15 the first year with auto-renewal.

Become an AARP member now

Port Townsend, Washington

Port Townsend on Washington's Olympic Peninsula is another affordable coastal town.

There are plenty of outdoor activities you can enjoy if you want to stay active. Or, check out the town's art scene before getting a good bite to eat.

The city is also only two hours from Seattle if you want to be relatively close to a big city without being too near.

Honolulu, Hawaii

If island life is more your style, check out Honolulu as a possible retirement option.

The city has plenty of sun, beaches, and snorkeling. Or, you can take an adventure into nature with day trips on the island of Oahu.

Be aware that the cost of living can be high in Hawaii, even if property taxes are low. So, if your main reason for avoiding California is cost, Honolulu might not be a great fit if you want to avoid wasting money.

Denver, Colorado

People who love the mountains in California might want to consider Denver as an alternative.

The Mile High City of Denver offers easy access to the mountains and nearby ski resorts. Enjoy skiing in the winter or hiking in the summer.

Unlike California, Colorado is considered a tax-friendly state for retirees.

Retirement News: Almost 80% of Americans fear a retirement age increase — here’s the real reason why

Key West, Florida

At the southern tip of Florida is Key West, a tropical paradise with a laid-back attitude similar to what you will find in some coastal California towns.

The city has plenty of outdoor activities due to its pleasant weather, so you'll never be bored if you want to be active.

However, housing can be an issue, as home prices are high here. However, you will not be required to pay income tax in Florida.

Wilmington, North Carolina

Wilmington has beautiful beaches along the Atlantic Ocean that could make you forget about the sand and surf in California.

Check out the city's Riverwalk, which features outdoor cafes, a marina, a concert venue, and more. Median home prices here are a bit above the national average.

Tucson, Arizona

Retirees who like the warmth of California but want something more affordable are heading to cities in Arizona, such as Tucson.

Tucson has outdoor activities for residents and visitors alike, including golf and hiking in the Sonoran Desert. Housing is affordable here.

In 2023 Americans lost over $10 billion to identity theft and fraud

That's right. According to the FTC, Americans lost over $10 Billion to fraud and identity theft in 2023.

But you can safeguard your data with all-in-one identity theft protection services from Aura which comes with $1,000,000.00 in identity theft insurance² Identity Theft Insurance underwritten by insurance company subsidiaries or affiliates of American International Group‚ Inc. The description herein is a summary and intended for informational purposes only and does not include all terms‚ conditions and exclusions of the policies described. Please refer to the actual policies for terms‚ conditions‚ and exclusions of coverage. Coverage may not be available in all jurisdictions. per adult, to cover you should you have eligible identity theft-related losses.

An individual plan starts at $9 per month, and you can choose a family plan that outmatches most others - includes Dark Web monitoring to scour data breaches and leaks for your sensitive personal data — such as Social Security numbers (SSN), Medicare information, and phone numbers.

Before you make your next online purchase, protect what you’ve built for a fraction of what it could cost you if your data were compromised.

Save up to 68% when you sign up for protection today!

Seattle, Washington

Want a big city on the West Coast that isn't in California? There aren't too many options, but Seattle is a great exception.

The city has a variety of things to see, including museums, the Space Needle, and the famous Pike Place Market.

But like other major cities, Seattle's cost of living can be a bit high.

Galveston, Texas

Galveston is on the Gulf Coast in the Lone Star State. It has beaches and warm weather like California, but tends to be much less expensive.

It can get hot here, but you can cool off at Schlitterbahn Waterpark. So, grab one of your best travel credit cards and take a trip to Galveston to find out whether it's a good fit for you.

Bottom line

As you prepare for retirement, keep in mind that there are plenty of California-like options that won't weigh you down with the elevated prices, high taxes, or traffic congestion of the Golden State.

So, explore some of the options on this list to see if one will provide you with big California dreams on a much smaller budget.

More from FinanceBuzz: