The 25 Finest Locations To Retire In The U.S. In 2026

[ad_1] by BLACK ENTERPRISE Editors January 25, 2026

The Motley Idiot surveyed 2,000 retired People to rank the most effective locations to retire throughout the USA.

What’s the most effective place to retire? To reply that query, The Motley Idiot surveyed 2,000 retired People to grasp what issues most in retirement and used these insights to rank the most effective locations to retire throughout the USA.

Primarily based on the survey outcomes, The Motley Idiot recognized seven key retirement elements and weighted every based on retiree preferences: high quality of life (31%), healthcare entry and high quality (15%), housing affordability (13%), crime and security (12%), climate and local weather (12%), state and native taxes (11%), and non-housing affordability (6%).

These weightings have been utilized to secondary information from eight public and institutional datasets to calculate a last retirement rating for each U.S. county, reflecting actual retiree wants and preferences relatively than assumptions about the place folks “ought to” retire. Counties have been excluded if their inhabitants was under 40,000, their quality-of-life rating was under 35, or their housing affordability rating was under 35. The survey of U.S. retirees 55 years previous and older was carried out by Pollfish for The Motley Idiot in December 2025, and scores have been computed at each the county and state ranges. The survey methodology employed methods to replicate nationally consultant information primarily based on age and gender, in addition to to attenuate choice bias and guarantee a various participant pool.

The Motley Idiot’s Finest Locations to Retire record displays what retirees worth most on common, however there’s no single “proper” retirement vacation spot for everybody. The very best place to retire is dependent upon private priorities, retirement planning, and anticipated retirement revenue. For some, which means retaining prices low in order that financial savings and investments of their retirement accounts go additional. Others might place extra weight on entry to facilities or selecting a costlier location with nice climate.

With that in thoughts, right here’s The Motley Idiot’s Finest Locations to Retire record.

Typically dubbed the Venice of America, Fort Lauderdale averages 246 days of sunshine and provides miles of waterfront, together with Atlantic seashores and boating canals.

Professionals: Easy accessibility to seashores, together with Fort Lauderdale Seashore and Las Olas Seashore; year-round sunshine; outside actions centered round Hugh Taylor Birch State Park; and a robust cultural, purchasing, and eating scene, together with NSU Artwork Museum and the Broward Middle for the Performing Arts. Cons: Housing and lease prices above the nationwide common; below-average healthcare outcomes; and crime charges which might be increased than in lots of different communities in South Florida.

St. Augustine provides walkability, Atlantic seashores, a thriving downtown, and a robust historical past because the oldest European-established settlement within the continental United States.

Professionals: A historic downtown providing quick access to museums, outlets, and eating places alongside St. George Avenue; outside actions, together with birdwatching, fishing, and beach-going at Anastasia State Park and St. Augustine Seashore; and a damp subtropical local weather with loads of sunshine. Cons: A hurricane-prone area means insurance coverage is dear and flooding dangers are excessive, whereas heavy tourism means historic areas are crowded for a lot of the 12 months.

Quincy is a small metropolis close to Tallahassee with the texture of a traditional previous Florida city, an expansive historic district, and a various inhabitants that enjoys modest residing bills.

Professionals: Conventional small-town really feel; a rising, numerous inhabitants; below-average price of residing; and a historic downtown together with cultural sights just like the Gadsden Arts Middle. Cons: Healthcare, retail, and restaurant choices are extra restricted than in different cities, so driving to Tallahassee could also be obligatory; summer season warmth and humidity will be uncomfortable.

Cleveland’s location on the southern shore of Lake Erie provides lakefront neighborhoods with a comparatively low price of residing, whereas the Cleveland Clinic and UH Cleveland Medical Middle guarantee there’s no scarcity of top-notch medical care.

Professionals: Beneath-average price of residing; reasonably priced housing; world-class healthcare; main cultural sights, together with the Cleveland Museum of Artwork and the Rock & Roll Corridor of Fame; and outside lakefront leisure alternatives at Edgewater Park. Cons: Freezing and snowy winters; higher-than-average crime charges in some components of town; and extra city decay ensuing from industrial decline than in lots of Solar Belt retirement locations.

Extra than simply Arkansas’s capital, Little Rock provides an energetic downtown, a lovely riverfront, and an reasonably priced price of residing for a mid-sized metropolis.

Professionals: Loads of eating places and museums within the River Market District; below-average price of residing; high quality healthcare choices, together with UAMS Medical Middle; and alternatives for outside exercise at Riverfront Park and alongside the Arkansas River. Cons: Sweltering summers with excessive humidity and lots of days above 90 levels; above-average crime in some components of town; and low median incomes, which have an effect on the tax base and public service funding.

Philadelphia provides big-city facilities, is house to quite a few historic websites, and boasts a regional rail community that makes car-free residing potential.

Professionals: Revolution-era historical past; house to the Liberty Bell and Independence Corridor; a robust public transit system; top-notch healthcare at Penn Medication; skilled sports activities groups; and loads of tradition, together with fine-dining institutions and the Philadelphia Museum of Artwork. Cons: Costly property and gross sales tax; chilly winters; and excessive crime in some components of town.

Minnesota’s capital metropolis of Saint Paul provides a sturdy park system, entry to the cultural scene within the Twin Cities, and loads of historic neighborhoods with tree-lined streets and reasonably priced houses.

Professionals: Reasonably priced house costs; below-average price of residing; massive park system, together with the Como Park advanced; leisure actions just like the Como Park Zoo & Conservatory, and entry to the Twin Cities cultural scene. Cons: Lengthy, chilly, and snowy winters; increased crime charges in some components of town; increased taxes than most Solar Belt states, together with taxes on Social Safety for increased earners; and ageing public infrastructure.

Milwaukee’s location on the western shore of Lake Michigan means retirees can take pleasure in waterfront property and loads of outside actions, together with brewery excursions and visits to cultural icons just like the Milwaukee Artwork Museum.

Professionals: Leisure actions and neighborhood occasions, together with Summerfest; entry to first rate healthcare choices, together with the extremely ranked Aurora St. Luke’s Medical Middle; and a below-average price of residing, particularly for a serious metro space. Cons: Chilly and snowy winters, together with lake-effect snow; increased property tax charges than different widespread retirement areas; excessive crime charges and concrete blight in some areas, attribute of older industrial cities.

Miami is greatest recognized for its well-known shoreline and Latin-influenced tradition, nevertheless it additionally provides a tropical local weather, proximity to the Everglades, and loads of alternatives for purchasing and eating.

Professionals: Heat winters; world-famous neighborhoods and seashores; purchasing and eating choices alongside Ocean Drive and Lincoln Highway; main sports activities groups, and quick access to famend museums, together with the Pérez Artwork Museum Miami (PAMM) and the Phillip and Patricia Frost Museum of Science. Cons: Costly housing market with excessive price-to-rent ratios; vital threat of maximum climate occasions and harm on account of rising sea ranges; massive vacationer presence could cause crowds, particularly throughout sure occasions of the 12 months.

Armstrong County provides the most effective of rural residing, with low residing prices, outside actions alongside the Allegheny and Kiskiminetas Rivers, and really reasonably priced costs on housing and on a regular basis necessities.

Professionals: Low housing prices and an especially low price of residing, outside actions, together with the Armstrong Trails, a 50-mile path working alongside the Allegheny and Kiskiminetas Rivers, and really low crime. Cons: Few choices for public transportation; may have to go to a bigger metropolis for medical specialists or to entry extra purchasing and eating choices than the agricultural location offers; chilly and snowy winters can result in icy driving circumstances.

Dallas boasts numerous neighborhoods, a robust financial system, and big-city facilities whereas nonetheless offering a reasonable price of residing.

Professionals: Vibrant artwork and tradition scene, together with the Dallas Museum of Artwork, the AT&T Performing Arts Middle, and the Morton H. Meyerson Symphony Middle; Katy Path and White Rock Lake Park provide outside recreation; heat winters; and common housing prices however a low price of residing, and first rate tax burden. Cons: Heavy visitors alongside main corridors; restricted public transportation exterior of core areas; and excessive warmth within the summers, with temperatures generally topping 100 levels.

Austin provides all of the facilities you’d anticipate from the capital of Texas, together with a robust music tradition and loads of outside leisure actions.

Professionals: Vibrant meals and cultural scene, together with many stay music venues; no state revenue tax; the College of Texas provides neighborhood engagement and academic alternatives; entry to high quality healthcare choices however outcomes are combined; and in depth alternatives for outside recreation at Barton Springs and Woman Chicken Lake Path. Cons: Hire, housing, and different prices of residing are quickly rising; excessive ranges of visitors congestion; above-average property taxes; a big vacationer presence that creates crowds; and very popular summers with days above 100 levels, though winters are delicate.

Pittsburgh is a hilly metropolis with historic neighborhoods, wealthy cultural sights, and an in depth system of riverfront parks and trails.

Professionals: Beneath-average price of residing for a metro space; low housing prices; in depth park and riverfront path system, together with the Three Rivers Heritage Path and Level State Park; Carnegie Museum, Heinz Corridor, and different cultural actions; and a very good public transportation system that features buses and light-weight rail. Cons: Hilly streets and an abundance of public staircases create mobility challenges; periodic air high quality points; above-average property taxes; financial inequality means some areas lack companies; and chilly winters with snowy, icy climate.

Killeen is greatest recognized for its proximity to Fort Hood and provides a straightforward drive to Austin and Waco whereas permitting retirees to stay life at a slower tempo.

Professionals: Decrease housing prices and decrease general price of residing than different Texas metros; sturdy neighborhood constructed round Fort Hood; outside leisure actions close by at Belton Lake and Stillhouse Hole Lake; comparatively delicate winters; and proximity to Austin and Waco with straightforward freeway entry. Cons: Fewer cultural alternatives and extra restricted leisure choices in contrast with bigger cities; restricted public transportation choices; and native healthcare is proscribed.

Birmingham could also be a historic metropolis, however its revitalized downtown districts provide loads of cultural sights together with reasonably priced housing.

Professionals: Beneath-average price of residing, together with reasonably priced housing; downtown redevelopment means many eating places and shops can be found round Uptown and Railroad Park; outside leisure alternatives at Ruffner Mountain and Purple Mountain Park; and milder winters than many northern states. Cons: Summers are scorching and humid with frequent storms; restricted entry to public transportation and lots of areas aren’t very walkable; infrastructure is ageing in some areas, and inequality means some components of town lack companies.

Baltimore’s museums and historic districts make it a favourite for individuals who prioritize cultural experiences, whereas its Inside Harbor provides scenic views and walkable waterfront areas.

Professionals: Historic waterfront and harbor areas present leisure alternatives at Inside Harbor and Fell’s Level; skilled sports activities groups; architectural character with historic row homes; cultural actions abound, together with the Baltimore Museum of Artwork; world-class healthcare at Johns Hopkins Hospital and College of Maryland Medical Middle; and wonderful public transportation, together with connections to Washington, D.C., and Philadelphia. Cons: Larger-than-average crime charges in sure components of town; rush hour visitors congestion is excessive; above-average property tax charges; ageing infrastructure in some components of town; and chilly winters with snowy and icy roads.

Situated alongside the San Marcos River, San Marcos provides a college-town really feel in addition to proximity to each Austin and San Antonio.

Professionals: Presence of Texas State College creates vibrant college-town really feel; price of residing and housing bills under these of close by metros; delicate winters however scorching summers; quick access to each Austin and San Antonio; and loads of outside leisure alternatives alongside the San Marcos River. Cons: Restricted healthcare choices; inflow of scholars in the course of the faculty 12 months could cause congestion in sure areas; flooding dangers alongside low-lying areas; and restricted eating and leisure choices.

St. Petersburg is house to a few of the hottest Gulf seashores in Florida, and it additionally provides a walkable downtown and thriving arts scene.

Professionals: Plentiful sunshine and heat winters; world-class seashores together with Fort De Soto and St. Pete Seashore; walkable downtown with eating and purchasing choices; vibrant arts scene together with the Salvador Dali Museum; and an energetic retirement neighborhood with many occasions for seniors. Cons: Excessive housing prices and really costly householders’ insurance coverage; restricted public transit; flooding and hurricane dangers; and crowds throughout many components of the 12 months on account of vacationer inflow.

Fort Price’s price of residing is decrease than that of many metro areas, nevertheless it nonetheless provides big-city facilities, together with the Kimbell Artwork Museum and the in depth Trinity Trails community for outside lovers.

Professionals: Sturdy Southwestern tradition, together with the Fort Price stockyards; price of residing under that of many different massive metros; many cultural alternatives just like the Fashionable Artwork Museum and the Kimbell Artwork museum; DFW Worldwide Airport could be very shut by; and loads of alternatives for outside actions, together with by means of river walks on Trinity Trails. Cons: Above-average property taxes; restricted public transportation and plenty of visitors; air high quality points; and very popular summers with lengthy warmth waves and each twister and thunderstorm dangers.

Denver’s entry to the Rocky Mountains is its declare to fame, whereas town’s surprisingly delicate local weather makes the realm perfect for outside lovers who need to discover its in depth parks and path networks year-round.

Professionals: Proximity to the Rocky Mountains provides summer season and winter leisure alternatives, together with world-class snowboarding and mountaineering; the Denver Artwork Museum is the middle of a vibrant arts and tradition world; the local weather is delicate and sunny; first rate public transportation choices, together with commuter and light-weight rail strains; and entry to high healthcare choices like UCHealth College of Colorado Hospital, though general healthcare outcomes are combined. Cons: Housing prices have soared in recent times; snow and ice could make winter driving troublesome, particularly if touring into the mountains; air high quality can undergo on account of seasonal wildfires; visitors congestion is excessive, particularly throughout some components of the 12 months; and the excessive altitude can worsen cardiac or respiratory circumstances.

Tampa is understood for heat, sunny climate, the Tampa Riverwalk, its professional sports activities groups, and its quick access to Gulf seashores.

Professionals: Waterfront leisure alternatives, together with Riverwalk; entry to close by Gulf seashores; many eating and leisure choices, particularly in Ybor Metropolis; a low price of residing; and no state revenue tax. Cons: Costly housing and really excessive householders’ insurance coverage prices; hurricane threat and flooding dangers in lots of areas; crowds throughout vacationer season, inflicting plenty of visitors congestion; and scorching, humid summers.

Palm Bay offers a suburban life-style with much less hustle and bustle than some Florida cities, however there’s nonetheless a lot to do, together with seashores, nature preserves, and outside actions on the close by Indian River Lagoon.

Professionals: Decrease housing prices than in lots of different Florida metro areas plus a low general price of residing; outside leisure actions together with Turkey Creek Sanctuary, Indian River Lagoon, and close by Atlantic seashores; suburban life-style; and delicate winters. Cons: Not a walkable space and few public transportation choices make retirees automotive dependent; restricted cultural, eating, and leisure venues inside metropolis limits; and intense warmth and humidity in the course of the summer season months, though winters are very delicate.

Lapeer is ideal for small-town lovers with lovely structure, loads of outside facilities, together with fishing lakes, Torzewski County Park, and a historic downtown that’s house to the Lapeer Heritage Museum.

Professionals: Value of residing under the nationwide common; near Flint and Detroit for a lot of healthcare and leisure choices; small-town residing with neighborhood occasions like farmers’ markets; and low visitors congestion. Cons: Restricted entry to healthcare, eating, and retail inside metropolis limits; many houses are older; car-dependent areas with out a lot public transportation; chilly and snowy winters which might be attribute of central Michigan.

Lynchburg’s location on the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains makes the surroundings unbelievable, particularly when mixed with its riverfront and historic downtown districts that ooze small-town appeal.

Professionals: Reasonably priced housing and price of residing under nationwide averages; engaging space with hill-country landscapes and historic structure; revitalized downtown with riverfront districts and eating alternatives; Liberty College and College of Lynchburg create a college-town really feel. Cons: Restricted choices for public transportation; lacks the cultural and occasion venues attribute of bigger cities; specialised healthcare wants might require touring to close by Roanoke or Charlottesville; and walkability is proscribed by hilly terrain.

Situated to the west of Cleveland, Lorain is a quiet lakefront neighborhood that gives seaside and marina entry in addition to reasonably priced housing choices.

Professionals: Near Cleveland for healthcare and different actions; reasonably priced housing; below-average price of residing; entry to Lake Erie’s seashores for boating, fishing, and recreation; neighborhood parks; and enjoyable native sights, together with the Lorain Lighthouse. Cons: Few choices for healthcare inside metropolis limits; older homes might require extra upkeep and repairs; financial challenges might result in restricted companies in some areas; restricted eating and cultural sights on the town; and winters are chilly and blustery.

Methodology How The Motley Idiot Recognized the Finest Locations to Retire in AmericaChoosing the place to retire is a deeply private choice, however retirees persistently prioritize a number of key wants: affordability, security, entry to healthcare, and high quality of life.

The Motley Idiot’s Finest Locations to Retire Index combines secondary information about every location with main information on what retired People say issues most when selecting the place to stay.

This hybrid method creates a rating that's each data-driven and human-centered – a strategy constructed by retirees for retirees.

Survey-Knowledgeable WeightsThe Motley Idiot surveyed 2,000 retired People aged 55 and above in December 2025 through Pollfish and employed a constant-sum method (100 factors), permitting respondents to obviously allocate factors throughout the elements that mattered most to them when selecting a spot to retire. Their common level allocations shaped the weights given to scores for every retirement-location issue.

The Motley Idiot Remaining scores replicate what retirees worth most, not what The Motley Idiot assumes they worth.

Survey Methodology Particulars

Survey was carried out on-line on Dec. 2, 2025, through Pollfish. Survey respondents have been U.S. retirees 55 years and older. Survey outcomes have been post-stratified to replicate nationally consultant information primarily based on age and gender. Pollfish employs natural random gadget engagement sampling, a statistical technique that recruits respondents by means of a randomized invitation course of throughout varied digital platforms. This system helps to attenuate choice bias and guarantee a various participant pool.

How Every Issue Was ScoredScores have been computed at each the county and state ranges. All information have been normalized on a min–max scale earlier than making use of survey weights.

Every issue under consists of the justification readers care about most: why it issues to retirees.

Healthcare Entry & High quality

Why it issues: Growing older effectively requires dependable care, specialists, and powerful healthcare outcomes. Healthcare outcomes measure whether or not folks get more healthy, stay longer, and keep a very good high quality of life.Sources:

College of Wisconsin County Well being Rankings (native outcomes & entry) United Well being Basis’s 2025 Senior Report (state-level system efficiency)

Housing Affordability

Why it issues: Residence prices are the No. 1 expense in retirement and drive relocation choices.Supply: Zillow Residence Worth Index (October 2025)

Counties with a housing affordability rating under 35 have been excluded.

Nonhousing Affordability

Why it issues: Day-to-day bills – meals, transportation, utilities – decide how far financial savings stretch.Supply: Financial Coverage Institute Household Finances Calculator

Taxes

Why it issues: State and native tax burdens instantly have an effect on retirement revenue sustainability.Sources:

Tax Basis (efficient tax burden) EPI Household Finances Calculator (county-level efficient charges)

Climate & Local weather Consolation

Why it issues: Retirees search snug climates that help year-round exercise.Supply: NOAA NCEI temperature & precipitation averages (2020–2025)

Crime & Security

Why it issues: Private security ranks as a high emotional and monetary precedence.Supply: FBI Crime Information Explorer – violent, property, and social offense charges

High quality-of-Life Parts Retirement isn’t solely about saving cash, it’s about residing effectively.

The Motley Idiot measured options that allow connection, mobility, recreation, and fulfilling existence:

The Motley Idiot Information units have been spatially aligned to counties and aggregated to states when obligatory for consistency and nationwide comparability.