According to the AARP Global Longevity Economy Outlook in 2020, healthcare topped the list of expenditures for Americans 50 years old and above. They made up 64% of the total share of healthcare spending in the U.S., representing just over $1.8 billion out of over $2.8 billion in spending. In terms of percentages, that’s followed by goods and services, where the 50-plus cohort makes up 60% of total spending, and finally housing and utilities, where people 50 years and older paid 57% of total expenditures. In North Carolina, retirees will find that the best places to retire make all those categories — housing, healthcare, and cost of living — more affordable, while also offering local amenities like hospitals or transit that make those necessities easier to gain access to.
As per a moveBuddha 2025 survey, 87% of Americans point to housing and a lower cost of living as factors in their choice of where to move. The average cost of a home in the U.S., according to the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis (FRED), reached $700,102 as of February 2026. With consumer expenditures in 2024, as per the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), arriving at $78,535, and the cost of healthcare courtesy of the BLS via the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis, costing an annual average of $7,799 as of December 2025, makes considering these expenses in retirement important. With all of these costs, North Carolina offers many affordable communities retirees can call home.
Raleigh
Raleigh, nestled within a region called The Research Triangle for its proximity to three universities — the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Duke University, and North Carolina State University — also turns out to be a college town in North Carolina perfect for retirement. According to Payscale, Raleigh’s cost of living is 5% lower than the national average. While your grocery bill may reflect a 1% higher charge, housing and utility charges 12% and 11% lower than the national average, more than balance that out. Healthcare comes at a rate 16% higher than the national average, however, with a doctor visit running around $179. As per Mira, the average charge for a primary care specialist in 2025 started at $150, with a high end of $300 for your first visit. Still, a high end average for return visits is $200, so while a visit to your doctor will cost you more, it’s still reasonably within the range many Americans will pay for care. You can access quality care at nearby Duke University Hospital and UNC Hospitals.
As per Zillow, the average value of a home in Raleigh is $424,924 and reflects a 2.8% discount from the past year. In January 2026, rent cost an average of $1,574 per month versus the national average of $1,995 in February 2026. Compared to the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis (FRED), $700,102 national average, a home purchase in Raleigh offers a major discount.
Wilmington
Wilmington offers seniors a waterfront retirement with beaches and boating if that’s your thing. Aside from the benefits to water lovers, as per Payscale, housing 21% below the national average and 2% cheaper groceries lead to a location with a cost of living 5% lower than the national average. Healthcare comes in 7% higher than the national average, with a $164 average doctor visit. However, compared to the national average, renting at an average, as per Apartments.com, $1,341 per month will immediately save a retiree over $600 per month, so a visit to the doctor shouldn’t be a financial burden…