Head on over to Georgia for a retirement that can’t be beat. NewHomeSource found the top 10 cities to retire in Georgia , so you can find the perfect place to start this exciting new chapter of your life.
Top 10 Cities to Retire in Georgia
1. Forest Park
Percentage of the Population Over 65: 10.6%
Median Home Value: $67,100
Most Recent Annual Number of Violent Crimes: 146
Most Recent Annual Number of Property Crimes: 903
Number of Hospitals Within One Mile of the City: 16
Located nine miles south of Atlanta, Forest Park is not only an amazing place to retire but also a strategic choice for those wanting to live near a big city without the traffic and congestion. Forest Park is packed with all the amenities you’d expect from a large city, including an array of options for shopping, dining, and outdoor activities. Additionally, Forest Park is just east of the Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, making travel a breeze.
2. Waycross
Percentage of the Population Over 65: 18.1%
Median Home Value: $70,100
Most Recent Annual Number of Violent Crimes: 73
Most Recent Annual Number of Property Crimes: 705
Number of Hospitals Within One Mile of the City: 1
Waycross is the perfect town for retirees looking to stay active and engaged with Mother Nature during their retirement. Exploring the nearby Okefenokee Swamp Park will give you an abundance of opportunities to venture outdoors, stay off your couch, and stay healthy.
3. Cusseta
Percentage of the Population Over 65: 3.2%
Median Home Value: $71,300
Most Recent Annual Number of Violent Crimes: 38
Most Recent Annual Number of Property Crimes: 265
Number of Hospitals Within One Mile of the City: 4
Cusseta is a vibrant suburb of Columbus, GA. This peaceful and private community sits on the banks of the Chattahoochee River, and its surroundings are an ideal backdrop to a serene life. Cusseta is the perfect town to retire to if you’re in the mood to slow down and enjoy a calm lifestyle during your golden years.
4. Cordele
Percentage of the Population Over 65: 14.2%
Median Home Value: $75,100
Most Recent Annual Number of Violent Crimes: 68
Most Recent Annual Number of Property Crimes: 507
Number of Hospitals Within One Mile of the City: 1
You can live a life you love when you retire to Cordele, aka the Watermelon Capital of the World. This bucolic community is perfect for retirees who want an active lifestyle during their retirement. Active adults have easy access to the Georgia Veterans State Park and Lake Blackshear, so you can enhance your passion for the great outdoors.
5. Americus
Percentage of the Population Over 65: 13.2%
Median Home Value: $86,200
Most Recent Annual Number of Violent Crimes: 130
Most Recent Annual Number of Property Crimes: 871
Number of Hospitals Within One Mile of the City: 2
Retirees looking to enjoy the benefits of living in a college town will love life in Americus. Georgia Southwestern State University gives Americus a funky culture, and the city is surrounded by charming historic architecture. Its affordable cost of living makes life a bit easier for anyone on a tight budget; you can stay engaged within your community and not break the bank.
6. Moultrie
Percentage of the Population Over 65: 12.5%
Median Home Value: $94,200
Most Recent Annual Number of Violent Crimes: 76
Most Recent Annual Number of Property Crimes: 656
Number of Hospitals Within One Mile of the City: 4
Moultrie is a charming rural community near the Florida and Georgia state line. This lovely outdoorsy town is perfect for retirees who want to kick back and relax in a peaceful and private home. Making Moultrie an even better retirement destination is its low cost of living and affordable median home price.
7. Jesup
Percentage of the Population Over 65: 17.9%
Median Home Value: $99,700
Most Recent Annual Number of Violent Crimes: 39
Most Recent Annual Number of Property Crimes: 485
Number of Hospitals Within One Mile of the City: 1
Jesup is an inviting small community of just under 10,000 residents. Folks here enjoy the simple things in life, such as riding the Amtrak and spending the evenings at one of the local drive-in theaters. The Altamaha River is located just on the outskirts of the city, so an afternoon on the river is never far away.
8. Bainbridge
Percentage of the Population Over 65: 14.7%
Median Home Value: $99,900
Most Recent Annual Number of Violent Crimes: 81
Most Recent Annual Number of Property Crimes: 469
Number of Hospitals Within One Mile of the City: 4
Bainbridge is a beautiful, tree-lined city encompassing a major portion of the Flint River. It abounds with plenty of exciting things to do in town, especially those that transpire close to the river. Whether you’re walking through one of the multiple riverside parks or fishing, you’re destined to have a good time. Downtown Bainbridge is conducive to active retirees, with locally owned restaurants and public art displays everywhere you look.
9. Riverdale
Percentage of the Population Over 65: 10%
Median Home Value: $90,100
Most Recent Annual Number of Violent Crimes: 97
Most Recent Annual Number of Property Crimes: 558
Number of Hospitals Within One Mile of the City: 10
For retirees looking to enjoy the benefits of an urban retirement, but still want to enjoy a peaceful and private community to call home, Riverdale is the perfect place for your new life. This thriving Atlanta suburb lets retirees enjoy the best that the big city has to offer, while still offering them a safe and affordable town.
10. Albany
Percentage of the Population Over 65: 14.4%
Median Home Value: $99,800
Most Recent Annual Number of Violent Crimes: 790
Most Recent Annual Number of Property Crimes: 3,500
Number of Hospitals Within One Mile of the City: 1
Albany is a southwest city with a big heart. The city has plenty of cultural attractions, ranging from the Wetherbee Planetarium, Albany Museum of Art, and the Flint RiverQuarium. The presence of Flint River at the northern border opens more opportunities for fun, including a riverside golf course.
Common Questions About Retiring in Georgia
Georgia is a tax friendly state for retirees. Georgia does not tax social security income and provides deductions up to $65,000 per person over the age of 65 for all retirement income. The state does not have an inheritance or estate tax either.
Georgia considers numerous streams of income as retirement income. Social security, income from public and private pensions, interest and dividend income, capital gains income, income from royalites, net income from real estate, and up to $4,000 of earned income are all eligible for deductions.
Seniors over the age of 62 can exempt some of your property and county taxes.
| City Name | People Over 65 | Violent Crime | Property Crime | Access to Doctors | Median Home Price |
| Forest Park | 10.6% | 146 | 903 | 16 | $67,100 |
| Waycross | 18.1% | 73 | 705 | 1 | $70,100 |
| Cusseta | 3.2% | 38 | 265 | 4 | $71,300 |
| Cordele | 14.2% | 68 | 507 | 1 | $75,100 |
| Americus | 13.2% | 130 | 872 | 2 | $86,200 |
| Moultrie | 12.5% | 76 | 656 | 4 | $94,400 |
| Jesup | 17.9% | 39 | 485 | 1 | $99,700 |
| Bainbridge | 14.7% | 81 | 469 | 4 | $99,900 |
| Riverdale | 10.2% | 76 | 897 | 20 | $101,300 |
| Albany | 14.4% | 790 | 3,500 | 1 | $99,800 |
| Dublin | 16.3% | 133 | 716 | 1 | $102,400 |
| Griffin | 13.0% | 274 | 1,004 | 5 | $102,800 |
| Douglas | 13.1% | 79 | 619 | 2 | $103,900 |
| Brunswick | 16.5% | 182 | 813 | 1 | $108,600 |
| Augusta | 13.5% | 656 | 6,368 | 5 | $108,000 |
| Statesboro | 7.6% | 132 | 953 | 2 | $113,600 |
| Vidalia | 17.1% | 67 | 455 | 1 | $118,600 |
| Warner Robins | 11.6% | 420 | 3,609 | 7 | $117,100 |
| Tifton | 12.1% | 192 | 959 | 5 | $119,200 |
| Milledgeville | 12.0% | 71 | 747 | 1 | $121,900 |
Access to Doctors is calculated by finding the number of hospitals, discounting children’s hospitals and VA hospitals within one mile of the city. NewHomeSource pulled data from the FBI Uniform Crime Reporting Services, Medicare’s Hospital Compare and the U.S. Census Bureau. In the event exact crime data was unavailable, estimates were used. Median home price, number of hospitals, 65+ population, and crime rates were entered into an algorithm to calculate a score for each city whose population is at least 10,000.
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Sarah graduated from Trinity University in 2012 with a degree in International Relations and Political Science. She writes blogs on new homes, decor, communities, and more for NewHomeSource. When she’s not writing, you can find her spending time with her three cats.
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