A major milestone in the lives of professionals, retirement is an accomplishment most look forward to reaching sooner rather than later. As the culmination of your career, retirement is the opportunity to reward years of hard work with time to travel, explore new hobbies, and even downsize or relocate. While retirement age has historically started at 65, the trending FIRE movement (financial independence, retire early), has caused retirement to become more appealing to members of a younger generation than it ever was previously.
We analyzed data that would be important to current and future retirees looking to decide where to enjoy their retreat from the workforce, including metrics on housing affordability, healthcare availability, weather, transportation, tax friendliness, and satisfaction of renters ages 45 and above. Read on to learn which cities offer the best retirement package to prospective residents.
Key takeaways
- Columbus, OH is the overall best city for retirees
- Wichita, KS has the lowest median 1-bedroom apartment rent prices
- Chattanooga, TN has the highest satisfaction percentage of renters ages 45 and above
- Newark, NJ is the overall worst city for retirees
The top 10 best places to retire
1. Columbus, OH
Retirees should consider starting their next chapter in Columbus, Ohio. Housing affordability, healthcare availability, and outdoor recreation satisfaction are areas where this city excelled in our analysis. With a median 1-bedroom rent price of $935/month, retirees can downsize with flexibility in their fixed income for luxury accommodations and amenities. While the weather in Ohio may not be as enjoyable as most Southern or Coastal cities, our survey of renters ages 45 and above indicates that Columbus residents are very satisfied with their environment and access to outdoor recreation options. When asked to describe the best aspects of Columbus, survey respondents noted the plethora of cultural activities, including museums and art, the nightlife, and access to green spaces like parks and outdoor recreation.
Financial stability is also important when retiring, and with no state social security tax and a state income tax rate of 3.99 percent, Columbus is a desirable location for early retirees with additional income from investments.
2. Louisville, KY
Known for the Kentucky Derby and fine-crafted bourbon, Louisville offers retired residents the chance to slow down and enjoy the simple pleasures of retirement in the South. With a median 1-bedroom rent price of $866, Louisville is an affordable city with an above-average satisfaction rate. Survey respondents noted Louisville’s walkability, low cost of living, and access to green spaces like parks and outdoor recreation as particularly enjoyable aspects to living in this city. Kentucky has no state taxes on social security benefits, but early retirees should note that the state income tax rate is five percent.
3. Spokane, WA
For residents ages 45 and above, Spokane, Washington is the place to be for outdoor enjoyment. With 78 percent weather satisfaction, 89 percent outdoor recreation satisfaction, and great air quality, retirees looking to spend their time exploring nature will want to consider Spokane. Current residents we surveyed described Spokane as “a beautiful city” with fantastic weather, and an atmosphere that is unique. While average 1-bedroom rent prices are slightly higher here at $1,039 per month, favorable tax rates for residents are appealing to those living on a fixed income.
4. Detroit, MI
With a median 1-bedroom monthly rent price of $990 Detroit, Michigan offers prospective retirees all of the advantages of city life, without the hefty price tag of other metros. When asked to describe the vibe and atmosphere of Detroit, current residents called out the city’s vibrancy, friendliness, and up and coming energy. Ranking in the top five for both public transportation and healthcare services, Detroit is an accessible city for retirees. However, lower scores for outdoor recreation and weather satisfaction indicate residents may not have as many options for outdoor enjoyment.
5. Albuquerque, NM
The most populous city in New Mexico, Albuquerque is an enticing consideration for retirees. Albuquerque’s median rent sits at $850/month, making this city the tenth most affordable city on our list. Current residents in the 45 and above age group were particularly satisfied with Albuquerque’s weather conditions and options for outdoor recreation, with stunning outdoor landscapes and almost 300 days of sun a year. Albuquerque is less favorable when it comes to taxes. New Mexico has a state income tax of 5.90 percent and imposes a state tax on social security benefits.
6. San Antonio, TX
No state income tax or state-level taxes on Social Security retirement benefits, pension income, or retirement account income, makes Texas a particularly attractive state for retirees. Current residents seem to agree, as 69 percent of renters aged 45 and above rated San Antonio as a satisfactory place to live. As the seventh most populous city in the US, San Antonio ranks in the top 20 for healthcare service providers, speaking to the abundance of available resources for health and wellness.
7. Raleigh, NC
As the capital of North Carolina, Raleigh continues to be an enticing city for prospective residents. With Southern charm and favorable weather, retirees will find that other residents in their age group are greatly satisfied with living in Raleigh. Above-average scores for air quality, weather satisfaction, and outdoor recreation satisfaction also contribute to Raleigh’s overall draw. Early retirees with investments should take note of the state income tax in North Carolina, coming in at 4.99 percent.
8. El Paso, TX
With the most affordable 1-bedroom rent prices of the cities in the top 10, El Paso is a great option for retirees looking to live in Texas without the high cost of living you’d find in other cities like Dallas or Austin. Residents of El Paso are very satisfied with their quality of life here, with an overall satisfaction of 88 percent, the third highest. Similarly to San Antonio, residents of El Paso enjoy favorable Texas taxes, with no state income tax or tax on social security benefits.
9. Colorado Springs, CO
Retirees looking to settle in the Centennial State will want to set their sights on Colorado Springs. Known for its breathtaking mountain scenery, it’s no surprise that Colorado Springs ranks in the top 20 for outdoor satisfaction among residents 45 and above. Garden of the Gods and Pikes Peak are just two of the countless options for outdoor recreation in this quaint city. While weather is generally pleasant in the springs, hot, dry summers contribute to poor air quality during the fire season, limiting some from experiencing the outdoors year-round. Still, residents who live in Colorado Springs have an overall satisfaction rate of 63 percent, making this location ideal for retirees going west.
10. Tallahassee, FL
We can’t have a list of the best places to retire without including Florida. While Miami or Tampa may be your first thought when you consider the Sunshine State, Tallahassee should not be overlooked. With an overall satisfaction rate of 77 percent, Tallahassee residents enjoy the many benefits of Florida life, without the higher price tag of more coastal cities. The median rent for a 1-bedroom apartment in Tallahassee is $858, compared to $1,455 in St. Petersburg and $2,607 in Miami. As one of the most tax-friendly states, Florida has no state income tax or tax on social security.
Cities ranked by top categories
Here are the top five cities for each individual category:
Lowest median 1-bedroom rent price
- Wichita, KS
- Akron, OH
- Shreveport, LA
- Des Moines, IA
- El Paso, TX
Wichita, KS affords residents the opportunity to enjoy low rent prices with a 1-bedroom median rent price of $638. Akron, OH follows closely with $650. Shreveport, LA comes in at $700, while Des Moines, IA holds at $785. Completing the top five for most affordable rent is El Paso, TX at $800/month.
Largest volume of available healthcare providers
- New York, NY
- Los Angeles, CA
- Houston, TX
- Phoenix, AZ
- Detroit, MI
New York, NY is known for its large population, so it is no surprise that the Big Apple would have the largest volume of healthcare facilities available to care for its many residents. Other densely populated cities including Los Angeles, Houston, Phoenix, and Detroit offer a similarly large number of healthcare options to choose from.
Largest volume of public transportation options
- Chicago, IL
- New York, NY
- Los Angeles, CA
- Miami, FL
- Detroit, MI
- Phoenix, AZ
The Windy City of Chicago, IL has the highest volume of public transportation services, making this a very accessible city. New York, NY follows closely behind, with Miami, Detroit, and Phoenix rounding out the top five for this category.
Highest overall satisfaction of renters ages 45 and above
- Chattanooga, TN
- Augusta, GA
- Virginia Beach, VA
- El Paso, TX
- Jersey City, NJ
Based on our renter satisfaction survey findings, renters in the 45 and above age group are the most satisfied in Chattanooga, TN. Of the surveyed residents, 100% of respondents rated this city a four or five out of five in terms of overall satisfaction. Renters called attention to Chattanooga’s beautiful scenery, many options for dining, and friendly neighbors as some of their favorite aspects of the city.
Highest satisfaction for outdoor recreation of renters ages 45 and above
- Austin, TX
- St Petersburg, FL
- Long Beach, CA
- Salt Lake City, UT
- San Francisco, CA
According to current renters, Austin is a great place to live if you are looking to enjoy outdoor recreation and activities during your retirement. Survey respondents called out their ease of finding parks and green spaces in the city.
Highest satisfaction for weather and climate from renters ages 45 and above
- Long Beach, CA
- Miami, FL
- St Petersburg, FL
- San Diego, CA
- Fort Lauderdale, FL
California and Florida dominate the top five for weather and climate satisfaction. With sunny skies and warm temperatures, renters in these areas will be able to enjoy year-round outdoor activities. If you’re hoping to spend your retirement working on your tan, you’ll want to consider these locations.
Best air quality index
- Anchorage, AK
- Urban Honolulu, HI
- Virginia Beach, VA
- Norfolk, VA
- Richmond, VA
You’ll enjoy the fresh air if you live in any of these five cities. Anchorage, Alaska provides residents with the best air quality with an average air quality index of 28.6. Honolulu, Virginia Beach, Norfolk, and Richmond follow with 29.2, 32.3, 32.3, and 35.9 respectively.
The five worst places to retire
- Newark, NJ
- New Haven, CT
- Fresno, CA
- Providence, RI
- Irving, TX
As the worst city for retirees, current residents of Newark, NJ in the 45 and above age group described their overall satisfaction with the city as “mostly or often dissatisfied”. Dissatisfaction trended most notably in the cost of living category, with rent prices described as being disproportional from the quality of housing available. While some respondents were satisfied with the options for local parks and greenery, the majority of renters believe the city to have few options for outdoor recreation. Lastly, with a state income tax rate of 10.75 percent, Newark offers little benefit to early retirees with investment income.
Methodology
To determine the best places to retire we analyzed the top 100 cities on nine key metrics. These metrics included the following:
- Median rent price of 1-bedroom apartments – Zumper.com
- Volume of healthcare resources – OpenStreetMap
- Volume of public transportation resources- OpenStreetMap
- Air quality index – US Environmental Protection Agency (average in 2022)
- State Income Tax – Tax Foundation (max tax rate)
- Social Security Tax – AARP
- Overall satisfaction age >45 – Zumper.com renter satisfaction survey
- Outdoor recreation satisfaction age >45 – Zumper.com renter satisfaction survey
- Weather satisfaction age >45 – Zumper.com renter satisfaction survey
Each city received a ranking and a weighted score for each metric. Median 1-bedroom rent prices accounted for 25 percent of the weighted score. Weather satisfaction accounted for 20 percent. Volume of healthcare resources accounted for 15 percent. Overall satisfaction and social security tax accounted for 10 percent each, while transportation, air quality, outdoor recreation satisfaction, and state income tax accounted for five percent each. We then assigned letter grades to each city based on the quintiles for each data point:
- A = rank higher than 80% of cities
- B = rank higher than 60% of cities
- C = rank higher than 40% of cities
- D = rank higher than 20% of cities
- F = rank in the bottom 20% of cities
Full data
| Ranking | City | Median Rent | Healthcare | Transportation | Overall Satisfaction | Weather Satisfaction | AQI | State Income Tax | Outdoor Satisfaction | Social Security Tax |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Columbus, OH | B | A | B | B | C | B | B | A | No Tax |
| 2 | Louisville, KY | A | C | B | B | C | B | C | B | No Tax |
| 3 | Spokane, WA | B | C | B | C | A | A | A | A | No Tax |
| 4 | Detroit, MI | B | A | A | C | C | D | B | D | No Tax |
| 5 | Albuquerque,NM | A | C | C | D | A | D | D | A | With Tax |
| 6 | San Antonio, TX | B | A | C | B | C | D | A | C | No Tax |
| 7 | Raleigh, NC | C | C | B | A | B | A | C | B | No Tax |
| 8 | El Paso, TX | A | D | D | A | B | D | A | F | No Tax |
| 9 | Colorado Springs, CO | B | B | D | B | B | D | C | A | With Tax |
| 10 | Tallahassee, FL | A | C | C | A | D | B | A | F | No Tax |
| 11 | Omaha, NE | A | B | C | B | F | B | D | C | With Tax |
| 12 | Tucson, AZ | A | B | B | B | D | C | C | F | No Tax |
| 13 | Cincinnati, OH | A | B | A | D | F | D | B | A | No Tax |
| 14 | Oklahoma City, OK | A | B | D | A | D | D | C | B | No Tax |
| 15 | Kansas City, MO | B | B | B | B | D | C | D | D | With Tax |
| 16 | Denver, CO | D | A | A | C | A | F | C | A | With Tax |
| 17 | St Petersburg, FL | D | C | A | A | A | C | A | A | No Tax |
| 18 | Cleveland, OH | B | B | D | A | C | D | B | D | No Tax |
| 19 | Austin, TX | D | A | B | C | A | C | A | A | No Tax |
| 20 | Des Moines, IA | A | D | D | C | F | A | D | A | No Tax |
| 21 | Milwaukee, WI | A | B | C | D | F | C | D | B | No Tax |
| 22 | Madison, WI | C | C | B | B | B | A | D | B | No Tax |
| 23 | Augusta, GA | B | F | F | A | A | A | D | C | No Tax |
| 24 | Portland, OR | D | A | A | F | C | A | F | A | No Tax |
| 25 | Richmond, VA | C | B | C | C | B | A | D | B | No Tax |
| 26 | Baltimore, MD | C | A | A | F | B | C | D | D | No Tax |
| 27 | Miami, FL | F | A | A | A | A | C | A | C | No Tax |
| 28 | SaltLakeCity, UT | C | D | B | A | A | D | C | A | With Tax |
| 29 | Orlando, Fl | D | A | A | C | C | B | A | B | No Tax |
| 30 | Lexington, KY | A | D | D | D | C | A | C | F | No Tax |
| 31 | Jacksonville, FL | C | C | D | D | B | C | A | B | No Tax |
| 32 | SanDiego, CA | F | A | A | B | A | C | F | A | No Tax |
| 33 | Charlotte, NC | D | B | C | B | B | C | C | A | No Tax |
| 34 | Indianapolis, IN | A | B | C | F | F | D | B | B | No Tax |
| 35 | Akron, OH | A | D | F | D | C | B | B | F | No Tax |
| 36 | SanJose, CA | F | A | A | C | A | C | F | B | No Tax |
| 37 | Pittsburgh, PA | B | C | B | B | F | B | B | B | No Tax |
| 38 | Wichita, KS | A | F | F | B | D | C | D | B | With Tax |
| 39 | Long Beach, CA | F | B | B | A | A | F | F | A | No Tax |
| 40 | Chattanooga, TN | B | D | F | A | C | B | A | D | No Tax |
| 41 | Knoxville, TN | C | F | B | D | B | B | A | A | No Tax |
| 42 | Atlanta, GA | D | A | C | C | B | D | D | B | No Tax |
| 43 | Tampa, FL | D | C | A | B | A | C | A | A | No Tax |
| 44 | St Louis, MO | A | C | B | F | F | D | D | D | With Tax |
| 45 | Greensboro, NC | B | F | F | D | B | A | C | B | No Tax |
| 46 | LosAngeles, CA | F | A | A | C | A | F | F | D | No Tax |
| 47 | Seattle, WA | F | A | A | D | C | C | A | A | No Tax |
| 48 | WinstonSalem, NC | B | F | F | D | B | B | C | C | No Tax |
| 49 | Lincoln, NE | A | C | F | D | F | A | D | D | With Tax |
| 50 | San Francisco, CA | F | B | A | A | A | B | F | A | No Tax |
| 51 | Memphis, TN | A | D | D | A | F | C | A | D | No Tax |
| 52 | Tulsa, OK | A | C | B | F | F | D | C | D | No Tax |
| 53 | Virginia Beach, VA | C | C | F | A | C | A | D | A | No Tax |
| 54 | Fort Worth, TX | B | B | D | C | D | F | A | A | No Tax |
| 55 | Las Vegas, NV | C | C | C | D | B | F | A | D | No Tax |
| 56 | Dallas, TX | D | B | D | A | C | F | A | B | No Tax |
| 57 | Houston, TX | C | A | C | C | F | F | A | F | No Tax |
| 58 | Boston, MA | F | B | A | A | B | B | C | D | No Tax |
| 59 | Philadelphia, PA | C | A | B | F | D | C | B | C | No Tax |
| 60 | Aurora, CO | C | C | B | D | C | F | C | C | With Tax |
| 61 | BatonRouge, LA | A | D | F | C | F | D | B | D | No Tax |
| 62 | Glendale, AZ | C | C | B | D | C | F | C | C | No Tax |
| 63 | NewYork, NY | F | A | A | C | B | D | F | B | No Tax |
| 64 | Mesa, AZ | C | A | C | F | D | F | C | C | No Tax |
| 65 | Rochester, NY | B | D | D | F | D | A | F | C | No Tax |
| 66 | Buffalo, NY | B | C | D | F | D | A | F | D | No Tax |
| 67 | Phoenix, AZ | C | A | A | F | F | F | C | F | No Tax |
| 68 | Boise, ID | D | F | C | B | A | B | D | B | No Tax |
| 69 | Anchorage, AK | B | F | C | C | D | A | A | C | No Tax |
| 70 | Chicago, IL | F | A | A | D | D | D | C | C | No Tax |
| 71 | Urban Honolulu, HI | F | F | C | A | A | A | F | B | No Tax |
| 72 | Shreveport, LA | A | F | F | C | F | B | B | F | No Tax |
| 73 | Syracuse, NY | B | D | D | F | D | A | F | F | No Tax |
| 74 | Durham, NC | C | D | B | F | C | A | C | F | No Tax |
| 75 | Minneapolis, MN | C | B | A | F | F | B | D | F | With Tax |
| 76 | Norfolk, VA | B | D | F | D | F | A | D | D | No Tax |
| 77 | Arlington, TX | B | F | F | A | D | F | A | C | No Tax |
| 78 | Oakland, CA | F | C | A | F | A | B | F | D | No Tax |
| 79 | Sacramento, CA | D | B | C | D | C | D | F | B | No Tax |
| 80 | Gilbert, AZ | D | B | D | D | D | F | C | D | No Tax |
| 81 | Nashville, TN | D | D | C | D | C | C | A | B | No Tax |
| 82 | Henderson, NV | D | F | F | A | A | F | A | D | No Tax |
| 83 | Charleston, SC | F | D | F | C | B | A | D | D | No Tax |
| 84 | Asheville, NC | D | F | F | C | B | A | C | C | No Tax |
| 85 | Plano, TX | D | D | F | B | D | F | A | C | No Tax |
| 86 | Fort Lauderdale, FL | F | F | D | F | A | C | A | B | No Tax |
| 87 | Washington, DC | F | B | B | F | C | C | F | F | No Tax |
| 88 | Anaheim, CA | F | D | D | B | A | F | F | F | No Tax |
| 89 | Arlington, VA | F | D | B | C | C | C | D | C | No Tax |
| 90 | Jersey City, NJ | F | F | C | A | B | D | F | B | No Tax |
| 91 | Reno, NV | C | D | D | F | D | C | A | F | No Tax |
| 92 | Scottsdale, AZ | F | C | C | D | D | F | C | D | No Tax |
| 93 | Bakersfield, CA | B | F | F | F | F | F | F | F | No Tax |
| 94 | Santa Ana, CA | F | D | F | B | B | F | F | F | No Tax |
| 95 | New Orleans, LA | D | D | C | F | F | B | B | F | No Tax |
| 96 | Irving, TX | D | F | F | B | D | F | A | C | No Tax |
| 97 | Providence, RI | D | F | F | C | C | B | D | F | With Tax |
| 98 | Fresno, CA | C | F | D | B | F | F | F | F | No Tax |
| 99 | New Haven, CT | D | F | D | F | D | B | D | D | With Tax |
| 100 | Newark, NJ | C | F | D | D | F | D | F | F | No Tax |
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