24. Fayetteville, Arkansas

Fayetteville is one of the most complete retirement package deals in the South. Average 1-bedroom rents sit around $930 per month, Arkansas does not tax Social Security income, and the city’s location in the Ozark Mountains provides a natural setting that is genuinely beautiful across all four seasons.

The University of Arkansas gives Fayetteville a vibrant, youthful energy and world-class cultural resources — including the Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art in nearby Bentonville, widely considered one of the finest art museums in the country (and free to the public). The Razorback Greenway trail system offers 36 miles of paved paths through stunning terrain, and the Dickson Street entertainment district provides dining and live music year-round.

Healthcare is well-served by Washington Regional Medical Center and the growing presence of Mercy Health in Northwest Arkansas. For retirees who want mountains, culture, community, low taxes, and rents comfortably within Social Security’s reach, Fayetteville is arguably the most well-rounded city on this entire list in 2026.