25 Best East Coast Cities To Retire in 2026

Among the top-ranked retirement spots on the East Coast, affordability can vary significantly.

East Coast states landed 25 cities within the top 70 of U.S. News & World Report’s best places to retire for 2026. Not surprisingly, Florida — a well-known destination for retirees — dominates the list with 20 entries. North Carolina was the runner-up with three.

Among the top 25 East Coast cities in the annual list, the cost-of-living index ranges from 81 to 113 (100 is the national median, as reported by Sperling’s Best Places).

In Lynchburg — Virginia’s lone entry in the top 25 — the median monthly rent is about $900. On the other end of the spectrum, you’ll be looking at $1,900 in Naples, Florida. Median monthly rents among cities on the list range from $863 to $2,373.

Here’s a rundown of the top 25 retirement spots in East Coast states, along with figures for each locale’s cost of living.

• US rank: 3
• Cost-of-living index: 87.8
• Median monthly rent: $863

• US rank: 7
• Cost-of-living index: 95.9
• Median monthly rent: $1,127

• US rank: 9
• Cost-of-living index: 98.7
• Median monthly rent: $1,467

• US rank: 10
• Cost-of-living index: 80.9
• Median monthly rent: $908

• US rank: 13
• Cost-of-living index: 102.8
• Median monthly rent: $1,715

• US rank: 18
• Cost-of-living index: 113.0
• Median monthly rent: $1,873

• US rank: 19
• Cost-of-living index: 89.0
• Median monthly rent: $1,188

• US rank: 21
• Cost-of-living index: 104.2
• Median monthly rent: $1,688

• US rank: 22
• Cost-of-living index: 104.2
• Median monthly rent: $1,722

• US rank: 24
• Cost-of-living index: 93.7
• Median monthly rent: $1,131

• US rank: 30
• Cost-of-living index: 95.7
• Median monthly rent: $1,351

• US rank: 33
• Cost-of-living index: 102.8
• Median monthly rent: $1,582

• US rank: 36
• Cost-of-living index: 102.8
• Median monthly rent: $1,580

• US rank: 40
• Cost-of-living index: 93.7
• Median monthly rent: $1,156

• US rank: 43
• Cost-of-living index: 98.0
• Median monthly rent: $1,070

• US rank: 45
• Cost-of-living index: 105.8
• Median monthly rent: $1,654

• US rank: 46
• Cost-of-living index: 95.6
• Median monthly rent: $1,471

• US rank: 48
• Cost-of-living index: 100.9
• Median monthly rent: $1,168

• US rank: 51
• Cost-of-living index: 105.8
• Median monthly rent: $1,560

• US rank: 52
• Cost-of-living index: 100.7
• Median monthly rent: $1,674

• US rank: 53
• Cost-of-living index: 104.2
• Median monthly rent: $1,654

• US rank: 60
• Cost-of-living index: 91.3
• Median monthly rent: $1,229

• US rank: 63
• Cost-of-living index: 102.8
• Median monthly rent: $1,634

• US rank: 64
• Cost-of-living index: 93.9
• Median monthly rent: $1,371

• US rank: 67
• Cost-of-living index: 110.5
• Median monthly rent: $2,373

Editor’s note: Photos are for representational purposes only and might not reflect the exact locations listed.