Whether you are recently retired or daydreaming about your upcoming retirement, deciding where to retire in the US in 2022 is very important. Luckily for you we’ve compiled the top 25 places to retire in the US so you can compare the lifestyle, amenities and cost of living associated with each location. The following is a list of the top 25 locations in the United States that are perfect for retirement. And we may be biased, but location #2 is our favorite.
1. College Town (University of Georgia)
As the name implies, this is a traditional college town with a population of 130,000 and it’s located 70 miles east of Atlanta. The median price of a property here is $289,000, which is 23 percent less than the national norm. What’s more, there’s a significant cultural scene to explore here, as well as pleasant weather and excellent air quality.
2. Salt Lake City
According to the latest rankings, Salt Lake City, Utah, is one of the best cities in the United States in which to retire. These rankings are typically decided in part by considering the average cost of living, the availability of good medical care, and the breadth and depth of opportunities for outdoor recreation. Of course, Utah is where the award-winning master-planned community of Daybreak is located. Daybreak is filled with all the good stuff you’ll want when you retire. Including a 55+ neighborhood, SpringHouse Village, where the homes live easy with low maintenance yards and guaranteed monthly energy bills. Add in 50+ miles of trails. Dozens of parks. And a private club, The Spring House, where you can swim, play pickleball, take advantage of a state-of-the-art fitness center, practice your swing at the golf simulator, join a yoga class or enjoy any of a range of curated activities. And when Daybreak’s new waterway network known as the Watercourse is complete, you’ll be just a short bike ride away.
3. Madison, Wisconsin
Wisconsin is another great state that does not impose any state taxes on social security or estates. The national median price for a property here is $385,000, while the local median is $365,000. They have excellent air quality as well and most places are accessible by foot and by bike. Madison is also known for having a low crime rate which is something to consider for a place where you’re going to spend your golden years.
4. Charlotte, North Carolina
Charlotte is a thriving financial and commercial hub with a population of 899,000 located in the state of North Carolina. The area has a high ratio of physicians relative to the total population and it boasts a pleasant temperature with high levels of air quality. The economy is strong and you won’t have to worry about your social security income or estate being taxed. However, it’s important to note that the median price of a house in this area is $378,000, which is 1 percent more than the national median.
5. College-Station, Texas
Located 85 miles to the northwest of Houston, this city has a population of 124,000 people and is home to Texas A&M University. A typical house here costs $304,000 which is a 19 percent decrease from the national average. Physicians are abundant, there’s a low to moderate danger of natural hazards, and there’s hardly any crime. Very bikeable.
6. Columbia, Missouri
Located in the middle of St. Louis and Kansas City, this town of 125,000 people is home to the University of Missouri, and colleges like Stephens College, as well as Columbia College. The price of a house at the median level is $259,000, which is 31 percent less than the national average. There are plenty of medical professionals, pleasant weather, high air quality, and a minimal danger of being affected by any natural disasters. The economy here is strong, too.
7. Fargo, North Dakota
The biggest city in North Dakota, Fargo has a population of 126,000 people. The typical price of a house here is $271,000, which is 28 percent less than the median price of a home nationally. There are a lot of doctors and while the winters are really cold, it’s worth it for the scenery and air quality. The risk of natural disasters is low here as well.
8. Greenville, South Carolina
Greenville is located in the Upstate area of South Carolina, exactly halfway between Atlanta and Charlotte and boasts a population of only 76, 000. There’s a high ratio of physicians to the total population, peasant weather, and really good air quality. Housing expenses and the general cost of living, in general, are significantly lower than the national average.
9. Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
This college city has a population of 299,000 people and is home to a lot of universities. Overall, the city is very affordable. The price of a house at the median level is $234,000, which is 38 percent less than the national median. It’s very accessible both by bike and on foot and you have access to high-quality medical care. Plus, there’s no income tax levied by the state on Social Security payments or the vast majority of retirement income.
10. Roanoke, Virginia
This is a very beautiful city for retirees where the typical price of a property is $225,000, forty percent less than the national norm. The medical care is good and you’ll enjoy excellent air quality here. The city also has a pleasantly moderate climate which is great because there are lots of parks, trails, and museums to enjoy.
11. The Villages, Florida
The Villages in Florida is a census-designated area that caters specifically to active seniors 55 years and up. This region is well-known for having pleasant winters and a low overall crime rate. However, it’s not the most affordable place to live and the probability of a natural disaster is rather high.
12. Virginia Beach, Virginia
Virginia beach is a city with a beautiful coastline and a population of 460,000. The temperature is particularly pleasant here and the air quality in the region is of a high standard throughout the year. Additionally, there is a relatively low rate of crime in the region and plenty of activities for you to enjoy.
13. Iowa City, Iowa
Southeast of Iowa is a well-known college town with a pleasant climate and a population of 76,000 people. The price of a house at the median level is $260,000, which is 31 percent less than the national average, and there are plenty of medical professionals relative to the overall population. Iowa City is culturally rich and offers a lot of outdoor activities to maintain an active lifestyle. Plus, there’s also a low crime rate.
14. Rochester, Minnesota
Home to the world-famous Mayo Clinic, Rochester is located 85 miles southeast of Minneapolis and boasts a population of 125, 000 inhabitants. The average price of a house is $316,000, which is 16 percent less than the national median. The city has an exceptionally high number of doctors, as one would expect, in addition to excellent air quality and a low crime rate.
15. San Antonio, Texas
San Antonio is a vibrant metropolis in south Texas with a population of 1.6 million people. The price of a house at the median level is $287,000 here which is 24 percent less than the national average. In this state, you don’t have to worry about state income or inheritance tax and the region is famous for its natural attractions and breathtaking scenery.
16. Savannah, Georgia
This beautiful river city has a population of 162,000 people and has the most charming communities to retire in. The average house will cost you $260,000 which is 31 percent less than the national median. In addition to having a pleasant temperature, the air quality is good. The terrain is perfect for biking and you can enjoy horse-drawn carriage rides through its manicured parks and cobblestoned squares.
17. Sioux Falls, South Dakota
Sioux Falls is a river town with a population of 201,000 and it’s located in the southeast corner of South Dakota. This city has a very comfortable and pleasant environment with the price of a house at 296, 000 which is 21 percent less than the national average. There’s high-quality healthcare available and you’ll find plenty to do if you’re an active person.
18. Spokane, Washington
This is a picturesque river city with a population of 232,000 located 280 miles east of Seattle. There’s a healthy number of doctors relative to the population and although it is technically a big city, Spokane has a nice small-town feel. The food is amazing, there’s a vibrant arts and culture scene and the whole area is accessible by bike or walking.
19. Sun City, Arizona
This age-restricted suburb of Phoenix is targeted at healthy and active retirees and currently boasts 43, 000 residents. Home prices are at an average of $303,000, which is 17 percent less than the state average. There’s a strong economy here with no taxes levied on estate or Social Security income.
20. Tucson, Arizona
This is another great city for retirees for a number of reasons. There’s a high ratio of physicians to the total population and the state doesn’t charge any tax on estates or social security. Furthermore, the price of a house at the median level is $312,000, which is 17 percent less than the national average.
21. Jacksonville, Florida
For those who feel young at heart, Jacksonville, Florida is a great city to live in. The area is comparatively less vulnerable to storms than the majority of Florida’s coastal communities, and you’ll never run out of cultural and outdoor activities to enjoy. It’s very comfortable and affordable to live in Jacksonville and it has a population of 939,000 people. The home prices are at a median of $288,000, which is 23 percent less than the national average. There are also a lot of physicians and a great number of parks.
22. Knoxville, Tennessee
Tennessee has seen significant growth in the last few years and it’s hard to see why. There’s no state income tax, the cost of living is relatively low and you can’t beat the Southern food and hospitality.
Knoxville is a lovely river city with a population of 193,000 and is located in the beautiful eastern part of Tennessee. The median house price is $308,000, which is 18 percent less than the average cost of a home in the US. With so many beautiful national parks, Knoxville is a great place to live for outdoor enthusiasts.
23. Lawrence, Kansas
A traditional college town with 101,000 residents Lawrence is located 40 miles west of Kansas City. The city’s typical house price is $279,000, which is 26 percent less than the median home price in the country. There’s a healthy number of doctors relative to the population and the climate is agreeable.
24. Lexington, Kentucky
Located in the middle of Kentucky, this city of 325,000 people bills itself as the “Horse Capital of the World” so if you’re an equestrian you’ll love it here. The price of a house at the median level is $273,000, which is 27 percent less than the national average. There’s a great number of doctors relative to the population and a low rate of significant criminal offenses. Lexington is free from income taxes and they don’t tax Social Security income either.
25. Lincoln, Nebraska
Located 50 miles to the southwest of Omaha, Lincoln serves as both the state capitol and the campus town for the University of Nebraska. The price of a house at the median level is $259,000, which is 31 percent less than the national median. The region offers a pleasant environment to live in and you’ll notice a marked difference in air quality if you’re moving from one of the major industrial cities.
We hope the list above helped you to learn about the top 25 places to retire in the United States. Let us know in the comments when you decide where to retire.
