50 Best Cities for Job Seekers Over 50

Getting laid off — or just switching jobs — can be a daunting process at any age. But workers over the age of 50 might face even greater difficulty with landing their next gig, thanks to unconscious biases among employers. However, that’s not necessarily the case across the United States. In some cities, the unemployment rate for people ages 50 and older is particularly low, which is good news for older Americans seeking work.

A new GOBankingRates study identified places in the U.S. where people nearing the end of their careers can still find jobs at a decent rate. For each city, GOBankingRates compiled unemployment rates for those 50 and older, along with the percentage of the population over age 50, the cost of living relative to the rest of the country, an overall livability score and the median household income among residents. For the cost-of-living index, the U.S. average is 100, so anything below that indicates a cheaper cost of living. Additionally, livability was scored out of 100.

Ultimately, the study allows older Americans to get a sense of which cities offer low levels of unemployment as well as cheaper costs and solid amenities. If you’re searching for a new job or struggling to find work, these areas could help provide job security and financial security into your golden years.

Last updated: Dec. 11, 2019

50. Salt Lake City

• Overall population: 194,188
• Percentage of population over age 50: 25.42%
• Unemployment rate for ages 45-54: 4.4%
• Unemployment rate for ages 55-59: 3.4%
• Unemployment rate for ages 60-64: 3.7%
• Unemployment rate for ages 65-74: 1.4%
• Unemployment rate for ages 75 and older: 4%
• Livability score: 64
• Cost-of-living index: 118.9
• Annual expenditures: $69,415.72
• Median household income: $54,009

49. St. Petersburg, Florida

• Overall population: 256,031
• Percentage of population over age 50: 39.96%
• Unemployment rate for ages 45-54: 5.5%
• Unemployment rate for ages 55-59: 5%
• Unemployment rate for ages 60-64: 4.7%
• Unemployment rate for ages 65-74: 4.5%
• Unemployment rate for ages 75 and older: 2.3%
• Livability score: 72
• Cost-of-living index: 98.6
• Annual expenditures: $57,564.26
• Median household income: $50,622

48. Lexington, Kentucky

• Overall population: 315,109
• Percentage of population over age 50: 29.86%
• Unemployment rate for ages 45-54: 3.6%
• Unemployment rate for ages 55-59: 5.1%
• Unemployment rate for ages 60-64: 6.1%
• Unemployment rate for ages 65-74: 2.8%
• Unemployment rate for ages 75 and older: 3.3%
• Livability score: 75
• Cost-of-living index: 89.1
• Annual expenditures: $52,018.01
• Median household income: $53,013

47. Columbus, Ohio

• Overall population: 852,144
• Percentage of population over age 50: 26.05%
• Unemployment rate for ages 45-54: 5.1%
• Unemployment rate for ages 55-59: 5.2%
• Unemployment rate for ages 60-64: 3.4%
• Unemployment rate for ages 65-74: 4.1%
• Unemployment rate for ages 75 and older: 2.8%
• Livability score: 76
• Cost-of-living index: 85.5
• Annual expenditures: $49,916.27
• Median household income: $49,478

46. Greensboro, North Carolina

• Overall population: 284,816
• Percentage of population over age 50: 30.84%
• Unemployment rate for ages 45-54: 6.2%
• Unemployment rate for ages 55-59: 4.7%
• Unemployment rate for ages 60-64: 3.2%
• Unemployment rate for ages 65-74: 3.3%
• Unemployment rate for ages 75 and older: 0.8%
• Livability score: 67
• Cost-of-living index: 83.9
• Annual expenditures: $48,982.16
• Median household income: $44,978

45. Knoxville, Tennessee

• Overall population: 184,465
• Percentage of population over age 50: 29.83%
• Unemployment rate for ages 45-54: 7.1%
• Unemployment rate for ages 55-59: 4.4%
• Unemployment rate for ages 60-64: 3%
• Unemployment rate for ages 65-74: 2.1%
• Unemployment rate for ages 75 and older: 1.3%
• Livability score: 69
• Cost-of-living index: 85.5
• Annual expenditures: $49,916.27
• Median household income: $36,331

44. Fremont, California

• Overall population: 230,964
• Percentage of population over age 50: 30.95%
• Unemployment rate for ages 45-54: 2.7%
• Unemployment rate for ages 55-59: 4.5%
• Unemployment rate for ages 60-64: 7.3%
• Unemployment rate for ages 65-74: 4.7%
• Unemployment rate for ages 75 and older: 3.6%
• Livability score: 80
• Cost-of-living index: 227.3
• Annual expenditures: $132,701.38
• Median household income: $122,191

43. Fort Collins, Colorado

• Overall population: 159,150
• Percentage of population over age 50: 24.81%
• Unemployment rate for ages 45-54: 4.1%
• Unemployment rate for ages 55-59: 2.9%
• Unemployment rate for ages 60-64: 3.9%
• Unemployment rate for ages 65-74: 3.5%
• Unemployment rate for ages 75 and older: 3.8%
• Livability score: 71
• Cost-of-living index: 118.3
• Annual expenditures: $69,065.43
• Median household income: $60,110

42. Fort Worth, Texas

• Overall population: 835,129
• Percentage of population over age 50: 24.96%
• Unemployment rate for ages 45-54: 4.6%
• Unemployment rate for ages 55-59: 5.5%
• Unemployment rate for ages 60-64: 3%
• Unemployment rate for ages 65-74: 4.8%
• Unemployment rate for ages 75 and older: 3%
• Livability score: 81
• Cost-of-living index: 99.8
• Annual expenditures: $58,264.84
• Median household income: $57,309

41. Aurora, Illinois

• Overall population: 200,946
• Percentage of population over age 50: 23.69%
• Unemployment rate for ages 45-54: 5.7%
• Unemployment rate for ages 55-59: 5.5%
• Unemployment rate for ages 60-64: 2.8%
• Unemployment rate for ages 65-74: 2.8%
• Unemployment rate for ages 75 and older: 3.6%
• Livability score: 72
• Cost-of-living index: 91.1
• Annual expenditures: $53,185.64
• Median household income: $66,848

40. Rancho Cucamonga, California

• Overall population: 174,573
• Percentage of population over age 50: 30.23%
• Unemployment rate for ages 45-54: 6.3%
• Unemployment rate for ages 55-59: 4.9%
• Unemployment rate for ages 60-64: 2.5%
• Unemployment rate for ages 65-74: 4.3%
• Unemployment rate for ages 75 and older: 4.4%
• Livability score: 74
• Cost-of-living index: 140.8
• Annual expenditures: $82,201.29
• Median household income: $83,736

39. Irving, Texas

• Overall population: 235,648
• Percentage of population over age 50: 21.56%
• Unemployment rate for ages 45-54: 3.6%
• Unemployment rate for ages 55-59: 5%
• Unemployment rate for ages 60-64: 4.6%
• Unemployment rate for ages 65-74: 3.9%
• Unemployment rate for ages 75 and older: 3.9%
• Livability score: 86
• Cost-of-living index: 100.6
• Annual expenditures: $58,731.89
• Median household income: $58,196

38. Fort Wayne, Indiana

• Overall population: 262,450
• Percentage of population over age 50: 31.62%
• Unemployment rate for ages 45-54: 5.2%
• Unemployment rate for ages 55-59: 5.6%
• Unemployment rate for ages 60-64: 3.1%
• Unemployment rate for ages 65-74: 3.5%
• Unemployment rate for ages 75 and older: 3%
• Livability score: 76
• Cost-of-living index: 78.9
• Annual expenditures: $46,063.08
• Median household income: $45,853

37. Springfield, Missouri

• Overall population: 165,785
• Percentage of population over age 50: 31.38%
• Unemployment rate for ages 45-54: 4.5%
• Unemployment rate for ages 55-59: 4.3%
• Unemployment rate for ages 60-64: 4.1%
• Unemployment rate for ages 65-74: 1.5%
• Unemployment rate for ages 75 and older: 0%
• Livability score: 65
• Cost-of-living index: 82.3
• Annual expenditures: $48,048.06
• Median household income: $34,775

36. Tempe, Arizona

• Overall population: 178,339
• Percentage of population over age 50: 23.81%
• Unemployment rate for ages 45-54: 5.4%
• Unemployment rate for ages 55-59: 3.9%
• Unemployment rate for ages 60-64: 2.1%
• Unemployment rate for ages 65-74: 4.6%
• Unemployment rate for ages 75 and older: 0%
• Livability score: 73
• Cost-of-living index: 108.1
• Annual expenditures: $63,110.51
• Median household income: $51,829

Don’t Miss: 10 Jobs That Still Come With a Pension

35. Newport News, Virginia

• Overall population: 180,775
• Percentage of population over age 50: 29.88%
• Unemployment rate for ages 45-54: 6.2%
• Unemployment rate for ages 55-59: 3.6%
• Unemployment rate for ages 60-64: 3.2%
• Unemployment rate for ages 65-74: 4.3%
• Unemployment rate for ages 75 and older: 1%
• Livability score: 73
• Cost-of-living index: 92.8
• Annual expenditures: $54,178.12
• Median household income: $51,082

34. Raleigh, North Carolina

• Overall population: 449,477
• Percentage of population over age 50: 25.36%
• Unemployment rate for ages 45-54: 4.4%
• Unemployment rate for ages 55-59: 4.9%
• Unemployment rate for ages 60-64: 2.7%
• Unemployment rate for ages 65-74: 4.6%
• Unemployment rate for ages 75 and older: 2.9%
• Livability score: 78
• Cost-of-living index: 102.3
• Annual expenditures: $59,724.38
• Median household income: $61,505

33. Madison, Wisconsin

• Overall population: 248,856
• Percentage of population over age 50: 25.9%
• Unemployment rate for ages 45-54: 4.7%
• Unemployment rate for ages 55-59: 2.4%
• Unemployment rate for ages 60-64: 4%
• Unemployment rate for ages 65-74: 3%
• Unemployment rate for ages 75 and older: 3.7%
• Livability score: 70
• Cost-of-living index: 100.6
• Annual expenditures: $58,731.89
• Median household income: $59,387

32. Montgomery, Alabama

• Overall population: 200,761
• Percentage of population over age 50: 31.65%
• Unemployment rate for ages 45-54: 5%
• Unemployment rate for ages 55-59: 3.8%
• Unemployment rate for ages 60-64: 2.2%
• Unemployment rate for ages 65-74: 2.2%
• Unemployment rate for ages 75 and older: 3.3%
• Livability score: 62
• Cost-of-living index: 75.8
• Annual expenditures: $44,253.25
• Median household income: $44,339

31. Grand Prairie, Texas

• Overall population: 188,664
• Percentage of population over age 50: 25.02%
• Unemployment rate for ages 45-54: 3.9%
• Unemployment rate for ages 55-59: 5.7%
• Unemployment rate for ages 60-64: 4.2%
• Unemployment rate for ages 65-74: 3.4%
• Unemployment rate for ages 75 and older: 3.3%
• Livability score: 83
• Cost-of-living index: 100.9
• Annual expenditures: $58,907.03
• Median household income: $62,589

30. Austin, Texas

• Overall population: 916,906
• Percentage of population over age 50: 23.68%
• Unemployment rate for ages 45-54: 4.4%
• Unemployment rate for ages 55-59: 3.6%
• Unemployment rate for ages 60-64: 3.8%
• Unemployment rate for ages 65-74: 3.3%
• Unemployment rate for ages 75 and older: 4.7%
• Livability score: 83
• Cost-of-living index: 119.3
• Annual expenditures: $69,649.25
• Median household income: $63,717

29. Spokane, Washington

• Overall population: 212,982
• Percentage of population over age 50: 33.34%
• Unemployment rate for ages 45-54: 5.6%
• Unemployment rate for ages 55-59: 3.7%
• Unemployment rate for ages 60-64: 4%
• Unemployment rate for ages 65-74: 1.4%
• Unemployment rate for ages 75 and older: 1.9%
• Livability score: 69
• Cost-of-living index: 92.3
• Annual expenditures: $53,886.22
• Median household income: $44,768

28. Lakewood, Colorado

• Overall population: 151,411
• Percentage of population over age 50: 36.35%
• Unemployment rate for ages 45-54: 4.4%
• Unemployment rate for ages 55-59: 3.3%
• Unemployment rate for ages 60-64: 3.9%
• Unemployment rate for ages 65-74: 1.9%
• Unemployment rate for ages 75 and older: 1.1%
• Livability score: 62
• Cost-of-living index: 127.7
• Annual expenditures: $74,553.30
• Median household income: $61,058

27. Des Moines, Iowa

• Overall population: 214,778
• Percentage of population over age 50: 29.25%
• Unemployment rate for ages 45-54: 5.1%
• Unemployment rate for ages 55-59: 4.2%
• Unemployment rate for ages 60-64: 3.3%
• Unemployment rate for ages 65-74: 3%
• Unemployment rate for ages 75 and older: 2.5%
• Livability score: 75
• Cost-of-living index: 81.2
• Annual expenditures: $47,405.86
• Median household income: $49,999

26. Huntington Beach, California

• Overall population: 200,415
• Percentage of population over age 50: 37.93%
• Unemployment rate for ages 45-54: 4.5%
• Unemployment rate for ages 55-59: 4.1%
• Unemployment rate for ages 60-64: 4.5%
• Unemployment rate for ages 65-74: 3.1%
• Unemployment rate for ages 75 and older: 3.5%
• Livability score: 76
• Cost-of-living index: 183.8
• Annual expenditures: $107,305.38
• Median household income: $88,079

25. Little Rock, Arkansas

• Overall population: 197,780
• Percentage of population over age 50: 32.51%
• Unemployment rate for ages 45-54: 3.2%
• Unemployment rate for ages 55-59: 2.3%
• Unemployment rate for ages 60-64: 2.2%
• Unemployment rate for ages 65-74: 1.4%
• Unemployment rate for ages 75 and older: 7.3%
• Livability score: 61
• Cost-of-living index: 82.5
• Annual expenditures: $48,164.82
• Median household income: $48,463

24. Arlington, Texas

• Overall population: 388,225
• Percentage of population over age 50: 27.39%
• Unemployment rate for ages 45-54: 3.4%
• Unemployment rate for ages 55-59: 3.7%
• Unemployment rate for ages 60-64: 2.7%
• Unemployment rate for ages 65-74: 3.1%
• Unemployment rate for ages 75 and older: 6.2%
• Livability score: 80
• Cost-of-living index: 100.6
• Annual expenditures: $58,731.89
• Median household income: $55,562

23. Elk Grove, California

• Overall population: 166,228
• Percentage of population over age 50: 29.96%
• Unemployment rate for ages 45-54: 4.9%
• Unemployment rate for ages 55-59: 2.9%
• Unemployment rate for ages 60-64: 5.1%
• Unemployment rate for ages 65-74: 2%
• Unemployment rate for ages 75 and older: 4.2%
• Livability score: 75
• Cost-of-living index: 134.9
• Annual expenditures: $78,756.78
• Median household income: $85,556

22. Corpus Christi, Texas

• Overall population: 322,726
• Percentage of population over age 50: 31.53%
• Unemployment rate for ages 45-54: 3.5%
• Unemployment rate for ages 55-59: 3%
• Unemployment rate for ages 60-64: 4.5%
• Unemployment rate for ages 65-74: 2.9%
• Unemployment rate for ages 75 and older: 5.9%
• Livability score: 80
• Cost-of-living index: 83.1
• Annual expenditures: $48,515.11
• Median household income: $53,626

21. Honolulu

• Overall population: 350,788
• Percentage of population over age 50: 39.02%
• Unemployment rate for ages 45-54: 3.1%
• Unemployment rate for ages 55-59: 3.8%
• Unemployment rate for ages 60-64: 3.7%
• Unemployment rate for ages 65-74: 2.1%
• Unemployment rate for ages 75 and older: 2.2%
• Livability score: 73
• Cost-of-living index: 176.5
• Annual expenditures: $103,043.52
• Median household income: $65,707

Read More: Senior-Friendly Jobs That Are Perfect for Retirement

20. Gilbert, Arizona

• Overall population: 232,176
• Percentage of population over age 50: 24.37%
• Unemployment rate for ages 45-54: 3.5%
• Unemployment rate for ages 55-59: 3.6%
• Unemployment rate for ages 60-64: 4.3%
• Unemployment rate for ages 65-74: 5.6%
• Unemployment rate for ages 75 and older: 2.8%
• Livability score: 84
• Cost-of-living index: 116.3
• Annual expenditures: $67,897.80
• Median household income: $87,566

19. Alexandria, Virginia

• Overall population: 154,710
• Percentage of population over age 50: 27.78%
• Unemployment rate for ages 45-54: 2.9%
• Unemployment rate for ages 55-59: 5.3%
• Unemployment rate for ages 60-64: 4.8%
• Unemployment rate for ages 65-74: 3.3%
• Unemployment rate for ages 75 and older: 0.8%
• Livability score: 79
• Cost-of-living index: 149.9
• Annual expenditures: $87,514.02
• Median household income: $93,370

18. Oklahoma City

• Overall population: 629,191
• Percentage of population over age 50: 29.58%
• Unemployment rate for ages 45-54: 4.2%
• Unemployment rate for ages 55-59: 4.5%
• Unemployment rate for ages 60-64: 2.9%
• Unemployment rate for ages 65-74: 2.6%
• Unemployment rate for ages 75 and older: 1.6%
• Livability score: 76
• Cost-of-living index: 85.4
• Annual expenditures: $49,857.89
• Median household income: $51,581

17. Scottsdale, Arizona

• Overall population: 239,283
• Percentage of population over age 50: 45.98%
• Unemployment rate for ages 45-54: 3.8%
• Unemployment rate for ages 55-59: 3.9%
• Unemployment rate for ages 60-64: 3.5%
• Unemployment rate for ages 65-74: 4.9%
• Unemployment rate for ages 75 and older: 6.5%
• Livability score: 78
• Cost-of-living index: 133.2
• Annual expenditures: $77,764.29
• Median household income: $80,306

16. Laredo, Texas

• Overall population: 255,305
• Percentage of population over age 50: 22.03%
• Unemployment rate for ages 45-54: 3.7%
• Unemployment rate for ages 55-59: 3.7%
• Unemployment rate for ages 60-64: 1.6%
• Unemployment rate for ages 65-74: 1.1%
• Unemployment rate for ages 75 and older: 5.1%
• Livability score: 80
• Cost-of-living index: 84
• Annual expenditures: $49,040.54
• Median household income: $41,302

15. Chandler, Arizona

• Overall population: 245,160
• Percentage of population over age 50: 27.95%
• Unemployment rate for ages 45-54: 4%
• Unemployment rate for ages 55-59: 4.5%
• Unemployment rate for ages 60-64: 4.2%
• Unemployment rate for ages 65-74: 3.5%
• Unemployment rate for ages 75 and older: 1.6%
• Livability score: 83
• Cost-of-living index: 113
• Annual expenditures: $65,971.21
• Median household income: $77,278

Learn How: You Can Kick Off Your Post-Retirement Small Business for $10,000 or Less

14. Omaha, Nebraska

• Overall population: 463,081
• Percentage of population over age 50: 30.65%
• Unemployment rate for ages 45-54: 3.5%
• Unemployment rate for ages 55-59: 3.3%
• Unemployment rate for ages 60-64: 2.7%
• Unemployment rate for ages 65-74: 2.7%
• Unemployment rate for ages 75 and older: 2.8%
• Livability score: 75
• Cost-of-living index: 89.8
• Annual expenditures: $52,426.68
• Median household income: $53,789

13. Boise, Idaho

• Overall population: 220,859
• Percentage of population over age 50: 31.57%
• Unemployment rate for ages 45-54: 2.9%
• Unemployment rate for ages 55-59: 3.4%
• Unemployment rate for ages 60-64: 3.8%
• Unemployment rate for ages 65-74: 3.9%
• Unemployment rate for ages 75 and older: 0%
• Livability score: 80
• Cost-of-living index: 103.6
• Annual expenditures: $60,483.34
• Median household income: $54,547

12. Sioux Falls, South Dakota

• Overall population: 170,401
• Percentage of population over age 50: 30.01%
• Unemployment rate for ages 45-54: 3.4%
• Unemployment rate for ages 55-59: 3.1%
• Unemployment rate for ages 60-64: 1.4%
• Unemployment rate for ages 65-74: 3.4%
• Unemployment rate for ages 75 and older: 2.9%
• Livability score: 73
• Cost-of-living index: 88.6
• Annual expenditures: $51,726.10
• Median household income: $56,714

11. Virginia Beach, Virginia

• Overall population: 450,057
• Percentage of population over age 50: 31.46%
• Unemployment rate for ages 45-54: 4%
• Unemployment rate for ages 55-59: 2.3%
• Unemployment rate for ages 60-64: 3.6%
• Unemployment rate for ages 65-74: 3.1%
• Unemployment rate for ages 75 and older: 3.5%
• Livability score: 77
• Cost-of-living index: 105.6
• Annual expenditures: $61,650.97
• Median household income: $70,500

10. Plano, Texas

• Overall population: 281,566
• Percentage of population over age 50: 32.93%
• Unemployment rate for ages 45-54: 3.3%
• Unemployment rate for ages 55-59: 3.2%
• Unemployment rate for ages 60-64: 4.9%
• Unemployment rate for ages 65-74: 5.4%
• Unemployment rate for ages 75 and older: 4.1%
• Livability score: 91
• Cost-of-living index: 109.3
• Annual expenditures: $63,811.09
• Median household income: $88,578

9. Chesapeake, Virginia

• Overall population: 235,410
• Percentage of population over age 50: 32.43%
• Unemployment rate for ages 45-54: 3.6%
• Unemployment rate for ages 55-59: 3.4%
• Unemployment rate for ages 60-64: 2%
• Unemployment rate for ages 65-74: 2.8%
• Unemployment rate for ages 75 and older: 0%
• Livability score: 69
• Cost-of-living index: 106.4
• Annual expenditures: $62,118.02
• Median household income: $72,214

8. Lubbock, Texas

• Overall population: 247,323
• Percentage of population over age 50: 26.45%
• Unemployment rate for ages 45-54: 2.5%
• Unemployment rate for ages 55-59: 2.4%
• Unemployment rate for ages 60-64: 2.7%
• Unemployment rate for ages 65-74: 1.2%
• Unemployment rate for ages 75 and older: 2.9%
• Livability score: 78
• Cost-of-living index: 79.9
• Annual expenditures: $46,646.90
• Median household income: $47,326

7. McKinney, Texas

• Overall population: 164,760
• Percentage of population over age 50: 24.65%
• Unemployment rate for ages 45-54: 2.8%
• Unemployment rate for ages 55-59: 3.7%
• Unemployment rate for ages 60-64: 5%
• Unemployment rate for ages 65-74: 1.8%
• Unemployment rate for ages 75 and older: 5.1%
• Livability score: 90
• Cost-of-living index: 107.9
• Annual expenditures: $62,993.75
• Median household income: $87,608

6. Amarillo, Texas

• Overall population: 197,823
• Percentage of population over age 50: 29.89%
• Unemployment rate for ages 45-54: 2.1%
• Unemployment rate for ages 55-59: 3.3%
• Unemployment rate for ages 60-64: 2.3%
• Unemployment rate for ages 65-74: 2.1%
• Unemployment rate for ages 75 and older: 0.5%
• Livability score: 78
• Cost-of-living index: 80.1
• Annual expenditures: $46,763.66
• Median household income: $51,198

5. Frisco, Texas

• Overall population: 155,363
• Percentage of population over age 50: 22.16%
• Unemployment rate for ages 45-54: 2.6%
• Unemployment rate for ages 55-59: 4.7%
• Unemployment rate for ages 60-64: 5.2%
• Unemployment rate for ages 65-74: 3.5%
• Unemployment rate for ages 75 and older: 3%
• Livability score: 92
• Cost-of-living index: 120
• Annual expenditures: $70,057.92
• Median household income: $120,701

4. Lincoln, Nebraska

• Overall population: 277,315
• Percentage of population over age 50: 29%
• Unemployment rate for ages 45-54: 2.6%
• Unemployment rate for ages 55-59: 3.5%
• Unemployment rate for ages 60-64: 1.8%
• Unemployment rate for ages 65-74: 1.8%
• Unemployment rate for ages 75 and older: 0.6%
• Livability score: 80
• Cost-of-living index: 89.8
• Annual expenditures: $52,426.68
• Median household income: $53,089

3. Cary, North Carolina

• Overall population: 159,715
• Percentage of population over age 50: 31.61%
• Unemployment rate for ages 45-54: 2.6%
• Unemployment rate for ages 55-59: 2.5%
• Unemployment rate for ages 60-64: 4.5%
• Unemployment rate for ages 65-74: 1.9%
• Unemployment rate for ages 75 and older: 6.8%
• Livability score: 86
• Cost-of-living index: 115
• Annual expenditures: $67,138.84
• Median household income: $97,755

2. Arlington, Virginia

• Overall population: 229,534
• Percentage of population over age 50: 25.59%
• Unemployment rate for ages 45-54: 2.6%
• Unemployment rate for ages 55-59: 2.2%
• Unemployment rate for ages 60-64: 2.8%
• Unemployment rate for ages 65-74: 3.2%
• Unemployment rate for ages 75 and older: 0%
• Livability score: 82
• Cost-of-living index: 168.7
• Annual expenditures: $98,489.76
• Median household income: $112,138

1. Overland Park, Kansas

• Overall population: 186,147
• Percentage of population over age 50: 34.2%
• Unemployment rate for ages 45-54: 3%
• Unemployment rate for ages 55-59: 2.8%
• Unemployment rate for ages 60-64: 3%
• Unemployment rate for ages 65-74: 2.3%
• Unemployment rate for ages 75 and older: 0.8%
• Livability score: 83
• Cost-of-living index: 111.2
• Annual expenditures: $64,920.34
• Median household income: $78,217

More From GOBankingRates

• Here Are 30 Ways To Retire Earlier
• Best Credit Unions Anyone Can Join
• Best Store Credit Cards
• 16 Effective Ways To Trick Yourself Into Saving Money

Methodology: GOBankingRates looked at 176 cities with a population over 150,000, as sourced from the 2017 American Community Survey, across nine factors in order to determine the 50 best cities for job seekers over 50. The nine factors were: (1) the percentage of population older than 50, sourced from the 2017 American Community Survey; (2) the unemployment rate among 45- to 54-year-olds, (3) the unemployment rate among 55- to 59-year-olds, (4) the unemployment rate among 60- to 64-year-olds, (5) the unemployment rate among 65- to 74-year-olds, and (6) the unemployment rate among those ages 75 and older, all sourced from the 2017 American Community Survey; (7) a livability score, sourced from AreaVibes; (8) the cost of annual expenditures, calculated using the 2018 Bureau of Labor Statistics Consumer Expenditure survey factored out by each city’s cost-of-living index, as sourced from Sperling’s Best Places; and (9) the median household income, as sourced from the 2017 American Community Survey. All factors were then scored and combined, with the lowest score being best. Factor No. 1 was weighted 1/2 times while factor No. 2 was weighted 3/4 times. All data used to conduct this study was compiled and verified on Nov. 19, 2019.

About the Author

Joel Anderson

Joel Anderson is a business and finance writer with over a decade of experience writing about the wide world of finance. Based in Los Angeles, he specializes in writing about the financial markets, stocks, macroeconomic concepts and focuses on helping make complex financial concepts digestible for the retail investor.

Read More