8. Eureka, California

California is rarely associated with the phrase “low-cost,” but the state’s massive size allows for exceptions. Located nearly 300 miles north of San Francisco, Eureka is a historic logging and fishing town nestled between Humboldt Bay and ancient redwood forests.

Eureka offers an affordable beach retirement for those who want to remain in California without paying Southern California prices. The Victorian architecture of Old Town Eureka gives the city a unique, artistic character. The climate is notoriously cool and foggy; you will rarely need air conditioning, which keeps utility costs manageable.

While housing in Eureka is cheap relative to the rest of California, the state itself remains a high-tax jurisdiction. You will contend with higher state income taxes and fuel costs. However, for lifelong Californians who want to stay close to family while downsizing near the ocean, Eureka is a hidden gem.