12 North Carolina Towns Where Retirees Love to Live (2026)
North Carolina gives retirees something rare: mountains and beaches in the same state, mild winters, and no state tax on Social Security. From Blue Ridge towns with cool summers to coastal villages on the Cape Fear, these are the 12 towns people ask about most — with the good, the bad, and the nearest hospital for each.
The full list
- 1.Asheville— Arts, food and mountain views
- 2.Hendersonville— A classic mountain retirement town
- 3.Brevard— Nature lovers
- 4.Waynesville— Quiet mountain living
- 5.Boone— Cool summers
- 6.Pinehurst & Southern Pines— Golfers
- 7.Chapel Hill— Top healthcare and college-town culture
- 8.Cary— Safe, convenient suburban life
- 9.Wilmington— Beach life with city services
- 10.Southport— Small coastal town charm
- 11.New Bern— History and waterfront living for less
- 12.Morehead City & Beaufort— Boating and fishing
💵 North Carolina taxes for retirees
- North Carolina does not tax Social Security benefits.
- Other retirement income — pensions, 401(k) and IRA withdrawals — is taxed at the state's flat income tax rate, 3.99% for 2026 and scheduled to keep falling. Some government retirees who were vested before August 12, 1989 (the "Bailey" settlement) pay no state tax on those pensions.
- Sales tax is 4.75% state plus 2%–2.75% local. Groceries are free of the state tax and pay only a 2% local rate.
- Homeowners 65+ with limited income can apply for the Elderly or Disabled Homestead Exclusion, which lowers the taxable value of their home.
1. Asheville
Blue Ridge Mountains
Why retirees like it: A famous arts and food scene, the Blue Ridge Parkway at your door and the region's biggest hospital.
Watch out for: Housing is expensive for the region, and parts of the area are still rebuilding after Hurricane Helene in 2024.
Nearest hospital: Mission Hospital
2. Hendersonville
Blue Ridge Mountains — south of Asheville
Why retirees like it: A friendly main street, apple orchards, a big retiree community and two hospitals, about 30 minutes from Asheville.
Watch out for: Popular means pricier than nearby small towns; some areas were hit by Helene flooding.
Nearest hospital: AdventHealth Hendersonville and UNC Health Pardee
3. Brevard
Blue Ridge Mountains — Land of Waterfalls
Why retirees like it: A small, artsy town next to Pisgah National Forest, with hundreds of waterfalls nearby.
Watch out for: It is one of the rainiest places in the eastern U.S., and the town is small for shopping.
Nearest hospital: Transylvania Regional Hospital
4. Waynesville
Blue Ridge Mountains — west of Asheville
Why retirees like it: A walkable downtown, Great Smoky Mountains National Park close by and lower prices than Asheville.
Watch out for: Steep mountain roads can be tricky in winter weather.
Nearest hospital: Haywood Regional Medical Center
5. Boone
High Country
Why retirees like it: Summers stay cool at high elevation, and Appalachian State University brings concerts, sports and classes.
Watch out for: Real winters with snow and ice, and a long drive to a major airport.
Nearest hospital: Watauga Medical Center
6. Pinehurst & Southern Pines
Sandhills
Why retirees like it: Famous golf courses, mild winters and a large retiree community, with a major hospital in Pinehurst.
Watch out for: Summers are hot, and homes near the famous courses cost more.
Nearest hospital: FirstHealth Moore Regional Hospital
7. Chapel Hill
Research Triangle
Why retirees like it: UNC's campus, lectures, sports and one of the state's leading academic medical centers.
Watch out for: Some of the highest home prices in the state.
Nearest hospital: UNC Medical Center
8. Cary
Research Triangle — next to Raleigh
Why retirees like it: Clean, safe and well-run, with parks, greenways, Raleigh-Durham airport nearby and plenty of shopping.
Watch out for: Traffic and rising prices as the Triangle keeps growing.
Nearest hospital: WakeMed Cary Hospital
9. Wilmington
Southern coast
Why retirees like it: A historic riverfront, nearby beaches like Wrightsville, and a large regional hospital.
Watch out for: Hurricanes — budget for wind and flood insurance.
Nearest hospital: Novant Health New Hanover Regional Medical Center
10. Southport
Southern coast — mouth of the Cape Fear
Why retirees like it: A picture-perfect harbor town with tree-lined streets, a waterfront and a slow pace of life.
Watch out for: Hurricane exposure and high flood-insurance costs; bigger medical care is in Wilmington.
Nearest hospital: Dosher Memorial Hospital
11. New Bern
Inner Banks
Why retirees like it: North Carolina's colonial capital, on two rivers, with lower home prices than the beach towns.
Watch out for: Low areas flood — the town was badly flooded by Hurricane Florence in 2018. Check flood maps before you buy.
Nearest hospital: CarolinaEast Medical Center
12. Morehead City & Beaufort
Crystal Coast
Why retirees like it: Fresh seafood, boating, quiet beaches and the historic Beaufort waterfront.
Watch out for: Hurricane season, and fewer specialists than in Wilmington or the Triangle.
Nearest hospital: Carteret Health Care
Questions retirees ask
Does North Carolina tax Social Security?
No. North Carolina does not tax Social Security benefits. Pensions and IRA or 401(k) withdrawals are taxed at the flat state rate (3.99% for 2026).
Mountains or coast — which is better for retirement?
The mountains have cooler summers, lower hurricane risk and lots of retirees. The coast has milder winters and the beach, but higher insurance costs because of hurricanes.
What is the cheapest place to retire in North Carolina?
Smaller towns away from Asheville, the Triangle and the beaches — like New Bern or Waynesville — are usually cheaper. Prices change quickly, so compare current listings before you decide.
This guide is general information, not financial or tax advice. Tax rules and home prices change — check with the North Carolina Department of Revenue, your county, or a licensed advisor before you move.