Best Cities for Retirees
Affordable cities with low cost of living and high quality of life for retirement. · 100 cities ranked · Updated 2026-04-05
Finding the best cities for retirees requires looking beyond just one metric. Our ranking uses a data-driven scoring formula that weighs multiple factors from the US Census Bureau including median household income, housing affordability, education levels, employment rates, and poverty rates. Only cities with a population above 10,000 are considered.
In 2026, Kewanee, IL takes the #1 spot, followed by Borger, TX and Two Rivers, WI. Each city below links to a full profile with detailed demographics, housing data, and cost of living comparisons. You can also compare any two cities side by side or explore our national rankings by specific metrics like income, rent, and education.
Full Ranking — Top 100
| Rank | City | State | Income | Home Value | Rent |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | Kewanee | IL | $49,668 | $70,000 | $775/mo |
| #2 | Borger | TX | $59,031 | $90,000 | $833/mo |
| #3 | Two Rivers | WI | $58,716 | $121,800 | $756/mo |
| #4 | Marinette | WI | $57,461 | $111,600 | $763/mo |
| #5 | Logansport | IN | $46,363 | $84,600 | $770/mo |
| #6 | Wabash | IN | $54,199 | $115,000 | $677/mo |
| #7 | Pontiac | IL | $59,579 | $110,200 | $818/mo |
| #8 | Arkansas City | KS | $53,475 | $81,700 | $762/mo |
| #9 | Niles | OH | $49,987 | $108,400 | $787/mo |
| #10 | Taylorville | IL | $52,720 | $106,300 | $738/mo |
| #11 | Fort Madison | IA | $49,359 | $95,900 | $824/mo |
| #12 | Freeport | IL | $48,181 | $86,100 | $760/mo |
| #13 | St. Marys | PA | $64,471 | $143,900 | $756/mo |
| #14 | Van Wert | OH | $53,632 | $109,700 | $739/mo |
| #15 | Fostoria | OH | $52,943 | $81,500 | $759/mo |
| #16 | Granite City | IL | $60,490 | $99,800 | $761/mo |
| #17 | Kendallville | IN | $60,909 | $130,600 | $696/mo |
| #18 | Canton | IL | $54,881 | $106,900 | $814/mo |
| #19 | Winfield | KS | $58,140 | $121,200 | $770/mo |
| #20 | Pekin | IL | $58,355 | $118,200 | $792/mo |
| #21 | Alpena | MI | $47,604 | $110,400 | $599/mo |
| #22 | West Mifflin | PA | $70,335 | $131,400 | $748/mo |
| #23 | Kennett | MO | $53,164 | $103,600 | $600/mo |
| #24 | Munhall | PA | $52,037 | $118,900 | $774/mo |
| #25 | Johnstown | PA | $34,784 | $42,100 | $616/mo |
| #26 | Wood River | IL | $65,960 | $103,200 | $915/mo |
| #27 | New Baltimore | VA | $183,696 | $646,500 | $0/mo |
| #28 | Bluffton | IN | $57,929 | $136,800 | $816/mo |
| #29 | Hibbing | MN | $55,463 | $123,900 | $739/mo |
| #30 | Galesburg | IL | $45,213 | $89,800 | $719/mo |
| #31 | Mack | OH | $118,825 | $287,500 | $0/mo |
| #32 | Weirton | WV | $56,699 | $122,800 | $750/mo |
| #33 | Sharon | PA | $44,595 | $79,100 | $780/mo |
| #34 | Frankfort | IN | $53,522 | $122,800 | $888/mo |
| #35 | Sterling | IL | $52,647 | $107,800 | $780/mo |
| #36 | Boone | IA | $67,269 | $156,400 | $791/mo |
| #37 | New Castle | IN | $48,977 | $95,100 | $797/mo |
| #38 | Huntington | IN | $51,220 | $104,300 | $852/mo |
| #39 | Mason City | IA | $62,369 | $130,000 | $874/mo |
| #40 | Camden | AR | $51,300 | $108,800 | $704/mo |
| #41 | Black Forest | CO | $142,173 | $805,200 | $0/mo |
| #42 | Cross Lanes | WV | $62,704 | $144,000 | $916/mo |
| #43 | Mexico | MO | $48,873 | $117,600 | $706/mo |
| #44 | Streator | IL | $54,953 | $88,000 | $779/mo |
| #45 | Nanticoke | PA | $60,340 | $103,800 | $787/mo |
| #46 | Galion | OH | $45,377 | $100,900 | $741/mo |
| #47 | Bay City | MI | $47,904 | $89,900 | $739/mo |
| #48 | Tiffin | OH | $55,700 | $129,200 | $834/mo |
| #49 | Pottsville | PA | $53,465 | $97,700 | $820/mo |
| #50 | Bellmore | NY | $159,158 | $661,700 | $0/mo |
| #51 | Decatur | IL | $50,809 | $97,300 | $796/mo |
| #52 | Fort Dodge | IA | $61,769 | $128,900 | $764/mo |
| #53 | Marshalltown | IA | $68,854 | $117,100 | $864/mo |
| #54 | Fair Oaks Ranch | TX | $168,309 | $612,700 | $0/mo |
| #55 | New Castle | PA | $41,478 | $72,000 | $698/mo |
| #56 | Centralia | IL | $47,308 | $81,600 | $775/mo |
| #57 | Vincennes | IN | $50,238 | $98,700 | $792/mo |
| #58 | Great Bend | KS | $53,323 | $118,700 | $744/mo |
| #59 | Vienna | WV | $65,211 | $155,500 | $837/mo |
| #60 | Jacksonville | IL | $62,615 | $128,300 | $703/mo |
| #61 | St. Ann | MO | $52,059 | $118,600 | $952/mo |
| #62 | Wisconsin Rapids | WI | $54,116 | $116,600 | $872/mo |
| #63 | Bucyrus | OH | $53,169 | $122,000 | $735/mo |
| #64 | Jamestown | NY | $44,878 | $79,100 | $755/mo |
| #65 | Mount Vernon | IL | $52,751 | $89,700 | $893/mo |
| #66 | Malvern | AR | $40,602 | $95,500 | $760/mo |
| #67 | Pampa | TX | $53,458 | $95,800 | $898/mo |
| #68 | Mattoon | IL | $47,308 | $96,000 | $764/mo |
| #69 | East St. Louis | IL | $30,992 | $52,700 | $597/mo |
| #70 | Clinton | IA | $57,493 | $115,400 | $751/mo |
| #71 | Saks | AL | $50,529 | $113,400 | $898/mo |
| #72 | New Kensington | PA | $49,644 | $132,400 | $694/mo |
| #73 | Newton | KS | $67,015 | $151,800 | $903/mo |
| #74 | Brooklyn | OH | $69,535 | $153,000 | $944/mo |
| #75 | Martinsville | VA | $42,434 | $92,500 | $784/mo |
| #76 | Yorktown | IN | $81,765 | $182,000 | $863/mo |
| #77 | Owosso | MI | $53,702 | $121,500 | $831/mo |
| #78 | Barberton | OH | $48,943 | $120,100 | $794/mo |
| #79 | Greenville | OH | $46,664 | $147,200 | $710/mo |
| #80 | Lincoln | IL | $54,390 | $111,600 | $804/mo |
| #81 | Highland | IL | $77,886 | $185,800 | $776/mo |
| #82 | Escanaba | MI | $40,169 | $116,600 | $661/mo |
| #83 | Greenlawn | NY | $161,442 | $626,700 | $0/mo |
| #84 | Cadillac | MI | $50,512 | $117,500 | $806/mo |
| #85 | Willowick | OH | $74,138 | $156,100 | $1,021/mo |
| #86 | Altoona | PA | $50,171 | $113,600 | $789/mo |
| #87 | Newton | IA | $56,321 | $151,600 | $828/mo |
| #88 | New Haven | IN | $67,121 | $151,200 | $947/mo |
| #89 | Flowing Wells | AZ | $40,769 | $51,800 | $1,123/mo |
| #90 | Lenoir | NC | $48,889 | $165,200 | $671/mo |
| #91 | Jennings | MO | $37,356 | $62,300 | $944/mo |
| #92 | Manitowoc | WI | $62,133 | $143,900 | $787/mo |
| #93 | St. Albans | WV | $58,788 | $131,800 | $888/mo |
| #94 | Lancaster | NY | $63,902 | $186,300 | $839/mo |
| #95 | Hutchinson | KS | $58,801 | $122,600 | $883/mo |
| #96 | Austintown | OH | $50,855 | $133,000 | $767/mo |
| #97 | Danville | IL | $44,239 | $76,800 | $809/mo |
| #98 | Celina | OH | $66,142 | $158,800 | $814/mo |
| #99 | Massena | NY | $48,810 | $99,200 | $680/mo |
| #100 | Okmulgee | OK | $39,060 | $90,200 | $799/mo |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the #1 cities for retirees in America?
Kewanee, IL ranks #1 with a median income of $49,668 and home values at $70,000.
What are the top 3 cities for retirees?
The top 3 are: 1) Kewanee, IL, 2) Borger, TX, and 3) Two Rivers, WI.
How are the best cities for retirees determined?
Cities are scored using a data-driven formula based on Census Bureau data including income, housing costs, employment, education, and demographics. Only cities with population over 10,000 are included.