The Best Cities for Retirees in 2025 2026: Your Guide to Affordable Retirement

The challenge of identifying a great city to retire in is that retirees have lots of different needs. Proximity to kids and grandkids, if they have them, is a key factor for many. One retiree might want a beach while another wants ski slopes; one wants a small town vibe, another, big city culture.

But there are some concerns that many retirees share: For example, is the city affordable? The average retirement check for those collecting Social Security at age 65 in December 2025 was $1,607.27, according to the Social Security Administration. How far that goes in retirement depends on a lot of factors, not the least of which is location, location, location.

But there are other considerations besides cost of living. Are there adequate medical facilities and personnel in the city? Is the state’s tax structure advantageous for retirees? How is the crime rate? How well is the area expected to fare in climate change?

Rather than listing a select few of the more than 100,000 cities and towns in the U.S., what follows highlights some of the best cities to retire to in various categories. Depending on what’s most important to you, you can assign a value to each factor to help you pick the best options.

Read on for some answers to the question, What are the best cities to retire in?

States with Favorable Tax Environments

If you’ve planned for your retirement years by saving money in retirement plans and other accounts such as a high-yield savings account, you may not want to pay out a chunk of that in taxes. Looking at the tax structure of various states can have a significant impact on where you decide to retire.

When considering the best cities to retire in the U.S., you may want to think about how a state’s sales tax, property tax, estate tax, and income tax stack up. Also consider whether a state you’d retire in will or won’t tax your pension. Florida, Georgia, Nevada, and Wyoming score well as best states to retire in for tax purposes, but so do a lot of others that may better fit your lifestyle.

Knowing where you want to retire and how much you will need to live on can help you decide when is a good time to retire.

Cities Predicted to Do Well in Climate Change

Climate change threatens to trigger rising sea levels, rising temperatures, drought, wildfires, and more. If you plan to buy a home in your retirement haven, you may find that housing values, mortgage loans, and future mortgage refinancing may be affected by the expected impacts of climate change.

Some places are predicted to fare better than others because of their location, elevation, access to water, and other factors. Among these are Portland, Maine; Madison Wisconsin; Boise, Idaho; and Minneapolis, Minnesota. New research shows that coastal cities may face greater flooding and property damage threats from potential sea level rise.

Cities with Good Medical Resources

Since retirees may encounter healthcare issues as they age, having the right medical resources available is important. Moving to a quaint town or remote area might seem perfect, until you need a physical therapist or a doctor who specializes in gerontology.

In one ranked list of the healthiest cities in 2026, Columbia, Maryland; Overland Park, Kansas; and South Burlington, Vermont, rank highest for health care, and so do cities in California and Massachusetts.

In addition to seeing where good health facilities are, individuals can evaluate the cost of those facilities. Healthcare is one of several crucial factors in calculating typical retirement expenses.

Cities with The Lowest Cost of Living

The average retirement age changes depending on where you live and the average Social Security check is about $1,607 per month, as noted above.

That’s why, before retiring, it’s important to know your budget and choose a retirement location where money won’t be a stressor.

One potential way to save is to live in a small town or city where the cost of living is below the national average. Many small cities and towns in Arkansas and South Dakota check a lot of boxes for retirees, including having the lowest cost of living and a favorable tax environment.

Other cities that have a lower cost of living than the U.S. average include Wichita Falls, Texas; South Bend, Indiana; and Springfield, Illinois. Keep in mind, the earlier you retire, the lower your Social Security check will be, so where you want to live could impact how you choose your retirement date.

Most Diverse Cities

For many people, diversity is a key factor to being able to comfortably settle in a town or city. This might include racial diversity, ethnic diversity, linguistic diversity, cultural diversity and more.

Los Angeles, California; New York, New York; and Chicago, Illinois are often high on the list for diversity, but can also be pricey places to live. Luckily there are other cities that are also very diverse including Silver Spring, Maryland; Arlington, Texas; Charlotte, North Carolina; Jersey City, New Jersey; and Long Beach, California.

Cities with Lowest Crime Rates

Some smaller cities and towns have lower crime rates, but the size of a city doesn’t necessarily directly correlate with how safe it may be. According to research, towns with the lowest crime rates in the U.S. include Ridgefield, Connecticut; Bergenfield, New Jersey; Buckingham Township, Pennsylvania; Broadview Heights, Ohio, and Hopkinton, Massachusetts. Least safe cities in the U.S. include Memphis, Tennessee; Houston, Texas; and St. Louis, Missouri.

Most Accessible for People with Disabilities

Through the eyes of a person with disabilities, cities can look quite different. There’s the question of affordability, but also questions like whether restaurants, supermarkets, and parks are wheelchair accessible; whether the city is walkable; and the share of accessible homes.

If accessibility is a consideration as you contemplate retirement, know this: Minneapolis, Minnesota tops the list of accessible cities. Other cities that score well on the accessibility scale include Columbus, Ohio; Scottsdale, Arizona; and Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

Cities with Cool Stuff to Do

Another facet of what makes cities great for retirees is the availability of cultural opportunities from outdoor activities to volunteering, theater, and restaurants. Cities that rank high on one recent list for appealing to a wide range of interests from hiking to access to theaters and restaurants include Astoria, Oregon; Savannah, Georgia; Portland, Maine; Cincinnati, Ohio; and Sarasota, Florida.

Cities with Over 55 Communities

Some people prefer to live in communities that have young professionals and families, while others prefer to live predominantly around other seniors. Many of these planned communities have clubhouses for fitness and activities, theaters, walking trails and more. The least expensive houses generally start at around $275,000, depending on where they are, and rise up to $1 million or more.

In over 55 communities, people own their own homes and function much as they would in a normal neighborhood but most of their neighbors are at roughly the same stage of life they are. Some of the leading over 55 communities include The Villages in central Florida; Sun City — which has many locations including Hilton Head, South Carolina and Sun City, Arizona; and Laguna Woods Village in Laguna Woods, California.

Recommended: What’s a Good Monthly Retirement Income for a Couple?

Places with Intentional Co-Housing

Cohousing is different from retirement communities in that people are expected to contribute to the community in the form of gardening, cooking, and generally looking out for one another. Cohousing that is designed for seniors might have medical facilities nearby, shuttles for shopping or the library, community gardens and so forth. Some have special facilities for people who suffer from dementia or other conditions.

Retiring near a place where you could receive extra care and support down the road if you need it may be a long-term option to explore. The National Cohousing Alliance offers a directory of these communities in states across America.

The Takeaway

Retirement isn’t just about leaving the workforce; it’s also an opportunity to create a new life. Before retiring, individuals can think about where they want to live, and the kind of community and environment that will allow them to enjoy activities that can enhance their days. They can also work on building their savings to help afford the retirement lifestyle they’re aiming for.

Interested in opening an online bank account? When you sign up for a SoFi Checking and Savings account with eligible direct deposit, you’ll get a competitive annual percentage yield (APY), pay zero account fees, and enjoy an array of rewards, such as access to the Allpoint Network of 55,000+ fee-free ATMs globally. Qualifying accounts can even access their paycheck up to two days early.

Better banking is here with SoFi, named the #1 Bank in the U.S. for the fourth year in a row by Forbes (2026).* Enjoy up to 3.10% APY on SoFi Checking and Savings.

FAQ

What is the best town to retire to in 2026?

According to one list, Midland, Michigan is the number-one town to retire to, due to its affordability, low taxes, outdoor adventures, good medical care, and high quality of life. But the best town to retire to in 2026 depends on what you’re looking for. For example, if cost is key for you, cities with the lowest cost of living in 2026 include Wichita Falls, Texas; South Bend, Indiana; and Springfield, Illinois. If your priority is a place with plenty of cultural events and outdoor activities, cities like Astoria, Oregon; Savannah, Georgia; Portland, Maine; Cincinnati, Ohio; and Sarasota, Florida, have a wide range of things to do.

Where do the happiest retirees live in the U.S.?

Portland, Maine is the happiest city to retire in 2026, according to a recent SoFi study. Portland earned the number-one ranking for its strong scores in social well-being, health-care access, and life expectancy. The city has a large community of retirees for socializing (almost one-quarter of the residents are aged 65 or older), it’s an easy city to walk around in, and its location on the coast means there are plenty of activities for outdoor enthusiasts.

What is the safest and cheapest state to retire in?

Wyoming is the safest and cheapest state to retire in, according to a recent analysis. The state has a moderate cost of living, low property taxes, and no state income tax. Wyoming also has a low crime rate.

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