Where to retire

The Best Places to Retire in the US: Cities and Towns

July 24, 2026 · By Tim Miller · 5 min read

The best place to retire in the US depends on your budget, climate, and lifestyle, but a handful of cities and towns keep topping the lists. Here's a detailed guide to what makes a place great for retirement, the most tax-friendly states, and standout cities and towns for warmth, the outdoors, healthcare, and low cost.

“Where should I retire?” is really six questions rolled into one: can you afford it, how are the taxes, is the healthcare good, do you like the climate, is it safe, and is there a community you’ll enjoy? The best places score well across all six. Here’s how to think about it — and the specific U.S. cities and towns that consistently deliver.

What makes a place great for retirement

Cost of living — especially housing. Your savings stretch far further in an affordable metro than in a coastal superstar city. This is usually the biggest single factor.
Taxes. State income tax, whether Social Security and pensions are taxed, and property taxes all affect your net income (more below).
Healthcare access. Proximity to good hospitals matters more every year in retirement.
Climate. Many retirees chase warmth to escape winter, but milder four-season spots and dry high-desert climates are popular too.
Safety and walkability. Low crime and being able to get around without a long drive add a lot to daily life.
Community. Nearby family, an active 55+ scene, or a town you simply enjoy is what makes a place home.

The most tax-friendly states

Nine states levy no state income tax at all: Alaska, Florida, Nevada, New Hampshire, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Washington, and Wyoming. That’s a major reason Florida, Texas, Nevada, and Tennessee are perennial retirement magnets.

Separately, the vast majority of states do not tax Social Security benefits — only a shrinking handful still do. Don’t stop at income tax, though: check property taxes and whether the state taxes pensions and retirement-account withdrawals, which can matter more than the headline income-tax rate.

Standout cities and towns

City / town	State	Why retirees choose it
The Villages	FL	The largest 55+ community in the US — golf, clubs, and activities; warm; no state income tax
Sarasota	FL	Gulf beaches, strong arts scene, good hospitals; no income tax
Fort Myers / Cape Coral	FL	More affordable coastal Florida, warm year-round
San Antonio	TX	Low cost of living, no income tax, big-city amenities and military-area healthcare
Chattanooga	TN	Scenic river city, low cost, no income tax, very outdoorsy
Asheville	NC	Blue Ridge mountains, arts and food, mild four-season climate, walkable downtown
Greenville	SC	Revitalized, walkable downtown; low cost; mild climate
Boise	ID	Outdoor access, four mild seasons, safe, fast-growing
Prescott	AZ	Higher-elevation, milder than Phoenix; dry air; small-town feel
Las Vegas	NV	No income tax, warm, entertainment, relatively affordable housing
Rochester	MN	Home of the Mayo Clinic — unbeatable for health-focused retirees
Lancaster	PA	Low cost, does not tax retirement income; charming, central to the Northeast

Best for warm weather on a budget

Florida remains the classic for a reason: warmth, no income tax, and huge retiree communities. But coastal Florida has gotten pricey — look inland or to the Gulf (Fort Myers, Cape Coral, Ocala) for value. In Texas, San Antonio pairs low costs with real city amenities, and Las Vegas offers warm, tax-free living with affordable housing.

Best for the outdoors and mild seasons

If you’d rather have mountains and four gentle seasons than year-round heat, Asheville, NC, Chattanooga, TN, Greenville, SC, and Boise, ID are favorites — scenic, walkable, and generally more affordable than the coasts. In the Southwest, Prescott, AZ offers dry, mild high-desert air.

Best for healthcare

Health access rises to the top of the list as you age. Rochester, MN (the Mayo Clinic) is the gold standard, and larger metros with major hospital systems — think the Research Triangle in North Carolina or Pittsburgh, PA — combine good care with reasonable costs.

How to choose your place

Visit in the off-season. Anywhere is nice in spring; see it in August heat or January gray before committing.
Rent before you buy. Live there for 6–12 months to test the reality, not the fantasy.
Run the full tax picture — income, property, and how pensions/withdrawals are treated — not just the income-tax rate.
Weigh distance from family and your doctors. A cheaper paradise loses its shine if you’re far from the people and care you rely on.

The bottom line

There’s no single ‘best’ place — there’s the best place for you. Florida, Texas, and the Carolinas dominate the lists thanks to warmth, low taxes, and value, but the right answer balances cost, taxes, healthcare, climate, and community against your own budget and life. Narrow it with those six factors, then go rent for a season before you plant roots.

Educational information only, not financial or tax advice. Costs, taxes, and rankings change — verify current details for any place before moving.

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