Best Places To Retire in Western US: Top Cities To Consider
Written by
Andrew Lisa
Edited by
Joe Evans, CFHC™
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The best places to retire in the Western U.S. usually offer a mix of good weather, reasonable housing costs, tax advantages, strong healthcare access and a lifestyle you’ll actually enjoy. That’s why the strongest options are rarely just the cheapest cities. They are the ones that balance affordability with quality of life.
The West can be a great retirement region, but it’s not one-size-fits-all. Some retirees want four seasons and mountain access. Others want desert warmth, lower taxes or a smaller-city feel. The best place for you depends on how you want to live and what your budget supports.
Why the Western U.S. Appeals to Retirees
The Western U.S. attracts retirees because it offers scenic variety, milder weather in many regions, tax-friendly states in some parts of the region and strong appeal for outdoor lifestyles.
For many retirees, the biggest draw is flexibility. The West gives you options that feel very different from one another, including:
- mountain towns
- desert cities
- smaller healthcare hubs
- no-income-tax states
- active-adult communities
- more affordable alternatives to high-cost coastal living
Best Places To Retire in the Western US
These cities stand out for different reasons, but all offer some mix of climate, amenities, retiree appeal and practical living considerations.
Bend, Oregon
Bend works well for retirees who want outdoor recreation, four seasons and strong healthcare access. It is one of the pricier picks on this list, but the lifestyle appeal is real. The average home value in Bend was $732,650 as of March 31, 2026. Medicare’s Care Compare also lists St. Charles Medical Center in Bend, which supports the city’s reputation for solid healthcare access.
Best For: active retirees who want mountain access, trails and strong regional healthcare
Boise, Idaho
Boise continues to appeal to retirees who want a manageable city with outdoor access, healthcare options and a more approachable cost profile than many Western hotspots. Zillow shows the average Boise home value at $499,492 as of March 31, 2026, which isn’t cheap but still lower than many West Coast retirement markets.
Best For: retirees who want a mid-size city with four seasons and a lower cost than many Pacific Coast alternatives
Santa Fe, New Mexico
Santa Fe stands out for culture, art, dry climate and retiree tax advantages. New Mexico says most seniors have been exempt from paying state taxes on Social Security benefits since tax year 2022, and AARP notes that people 65 and older may qualify for an additional deduction of up to $8,000 for taxable retirement income.
Best For: retirees who value culture, history, mild weather and tax-friendly treatment for many seniors
St. George, Utah
St. George is a strong fit if you want warm weather, red rock scenery and a fast-growing retirement population. The average home value in St. George was $519,370 as of March 31, 2026. The city remains especially attractive to retirees leaving higher-cost nearby states.
Best For: retirees who want desert warmth, scenic surroundings and an active older-adult community
Prescott, Arizona
Prescott is one of the more appealing Arizona retirement options for people who want the state’s sunshine without the full intensity of Phoenix heat. Its higher elevation and stronger four-season feel are major reasons it continues to attract retirees.
Best For: retirees who like Arizona’s climate but want something cooler and more traditional than a big desert metro
Reno, Nevada
Reno offers one of the clearest tax advantages on the list because Nevada has no state individual income tax. Nevada is one of the states with no state income tax, and its property taxes remain relatively modest compared with many other Western markets.
Best For: retirees who want tax advantages, proximity to Tahoe and more city energy than a small retirement town
Spokane, Washington
Spokane is one of the more practical Western retirement options if you want lower housing costs than Seattle or much of coastal Washington. Spokane’s average home value remains below $400,000, which is much lower than Washington’s statewide average. Washington also has no state income tax, helping retirees keep more of their retirement income.
Best For: retirees who want four seasons, a lower-cost Washington option and access to a stronger regional healthcare network
Colorado Springs, Colorado
Colorado Springs works well for retirees who want mountain views, outdoor activity and strong healthcare access. The city is appealing for military retirees and its solid healthcare ecosystem, which makes it one of the more balanced choices in the region.
Best For: active retirees, military retirees and people who want a scenic city with a strong care network
Las Cruces, New Mexico
Las Cruces is one of the more affordable picks in the West. The local living costs run about 9% below the national average, and the average home prices are much lower than in many other Western retirement destinations. It also benefits from New Mexico’s favorable treatment of Social Security income for many seniors.
Best For: retirees looking for warmth, lower housing costs and a more budget-friendly Southwestern lifestyle
Medford, Oregon
Medford appeals to retirees who want mild weather, access to outdoor beauty and a smaller-city feel. Medford’s regional healthcare network is especially important for retirees who want to stay in a smaller market without giving up access to care.
Best For: retirees who want Southern Oregon scenery, wine country access and a quieter pace than Bend
Tip: A city can rank well for weather or taxes and still be a poor fit if the healthcare access or housing costs don’t match your needs.
Taxes, Housing and Living Costs in the West
The U.S. Census Bureau’s Western region includes some of the country’s most affordable states and some of its most expensive. This updated chart gives you a cleaner side-by-side look at state home values, tax structure and cost of living so you can compare Western retirement options more realistically.
State Average Home Value Effective Property Tax Rate Top State Income Tax Rate Combined State and Average Local Sales Tax Rate Cost of Living Index (U.S. = 100) Alaska $387,636 1.07% None 1.82% 126.7 Arizona $423,330 0.44% 2.5% 8.52% 110.3 California $774,582 0.70% 13.3% 8.98% 143.1 Colorado $541,842 0.50% 4.4% 7.86% 103.1 Hawaii $832,967 0.32% 11.0% 4.50% 183.9 Idaho $473,335 0.48% 5.3% 6.03% 99.3 Montana $466,917 0.60% 5.65% 0.00% 96.8 Nevada $446,865 0.49% None 8.24% 99.7 New Mexico $316,750 0.61% 5.9% 7.67% 93.7 Oregon $499,004 0.78% 9.9% 0.00% 112.8 Utah $537,810 0.47% 4.5% 7.42% 99.5 Washington $601,016 0.75% None* 9.47% 112.9 Wyoming $363,227 0.55% None 5.56% 94.6 *Washington does not tax wage income, though it does impose a tax on certain capital gains.
Do Your Homework Before You Move
As you narrow your shortlist, don’t stop at taxes and housing prices. It’s also worth comparing:
- healthcare access
- local senior demographics
- climate and seasonal comfort
- transportation and walkability
- whether renting first makes sense before buying
The cheapest Western state isn’t always the best retirement fit. A lower-cost market can still be a poor match if healthcare access, community feel or day-to-day livability don’t line up with what you need.
Which Western States Are Most Tax-Friendly for Retirees?
Tax friendliness is one of the biggest reasons retirees look west, but the best answer depends on which tax matters most to you.
Some notable Western tax advantages include:
- Nevada, Washington and Wyoming: no state income tax
- Oregon: no state sales tax
- Alaska: no state income tax and no statewide sales tax
- New Mexico: broad Social Security tax relief for many seniors
That doesn’t automatically make those states the cheapest overall. Sales taxes, property taxes, housing costs and healthcare access still matter.
How Much Do Housing and Living Costs Vary Across the West?
A lot. That’s one of the biggest things to understand before you move.
Some Western states combine high home values with high living costs, while others offer lower costs and better retirement-tax treatment. For example:
- California and Hawaii remain among the most expensive Western retirement options
- New Mexico, Nevada and Wyoming are often easier on retirement budgets
- Washington offers no state income tax, but many of its markets remain expensive
- Oregon avoids sales tax, but housing costs can still be elevated in many desirable areas
This is why “best” and “most affordable” aren’t always the same thing.
What Should You Look for in a Western Retirement City?
The right retirement city usually comes down to a few practical questions.
Healthcare Access
This should be near the top of the list. Even if you are healthy now, proximity to strong hospitals, specialists and senior services matters more in retirement. Healthcare is a major differentiator across cities.
Housing Costs
Even a tax-friendly location can become a budget problem if housing is too expensive. That’s one reason cities like Las Cruces and Spokane can look more practical than trendier high-cost towns.
Climate and Lifestyle
Some retirees want warm weather year-round. Others prefer four seasons. Some want golf and desert views. Others want hiking, breweries, arts or proximity to family. Your best retirement city should fit the life you actually want, not just a ranking list.
Taxes
Income taxes, property taxes and sales taxes all matter, but they matter differently depending on your income mix and spending style. The Tax Foundation’s 2026 state tables are useful for comparing those structures at the state level.
Community Fit
A strong retirement choice isn’t only about cost. It’s also about whether you will feel comfortable, supported and connected there.
How Do You Choose the Best Place To Retire in the Western U.S.?
The smartest way to choose is to match a city to your actual retirement priorities. If your top priority is:
- Lower taxes: Reno, Spokane, Wyoming markets or parts of Nevada may stand out
- Culture and climate: Santa Fe can be a strong pick
- Outdoor recreation: Bend, Colorado Springs and Boise stand out
- Lower home costs: Las Cruces and Spokane may be easier on the budget
- Warm desert living: St. George and Prescott often appeal most
The best place to retire in the Western U.S. is usually the one that balances housing, healthcare, taxes and lifestyle in a way that feels sustainable for you.
Final Take to GO
The best places to retire in western us usually combine livability with practicality. Cities like Boise, Santa Fe, St. George, Prescott, Reno, Spokane, Colorado Springs and Las Cruces all offer different mixes of affordability, climate, healthcare and retirement appeal.
The right choice depends on what matters most to you. If you start with your budget, your healthcare needs and the kind of daily life you want, your shortlist usually gets a lot clearer.
FAQs about Retiring in the Western U.S.
Figuring out the best places to retire in the Western U.S. can be confusing because taxes, home prices, healthcare access and lifestyle perks vary so much from one city to the next. Here are some common questions that come up:- Which Western states are most tax-friendly for retirees?
- Nevada, Washington and Wyoming do not tax individual income, while Oregon has no state sales tax. New Mexico is also appealing to many retirees because most seniors are exempt from paying state tax on Social Security benefits.
- What is the cheapest place to retire in the Western U.S.?
- Lower-cost Western retirement options often show up in places like Las Cruces, New Mexico, smaller Wyoming towns and parts of Idaho or eastern Washington. But the cheapest place is not always the best if healthcare or housing quality is weak.
- Which Western cities have strong healthcare access for retirees?
- Cities like Bend, Boise, Colorado Springs, Spokane and Medford are often attractive because they combine retiree appeal with stronger regional healthcare access.
- Are there four-season retirement options in the West?
- Yes. Boise, Bend, Prescott, Spokane and Colorado Springs are all examples of Western retirement cities that offer more distinct seasons than desert retirement markets.
- Is the West good for active retirees?
- Yes. The West is especially appealing for active retirees because it offers hiking, golf, skiing, biking, national parks and a wide range of outdoor recreation across very different climates and landscapes.
Information is accurate as of April 20, 2026.
Our in-house research team and on-site financial experts work together to create content that’s accurate, impartial, and up to date. We fact-check every single statistic, quote and fact using trusted primary resources to make sure the information we provide is correct. You can learn more about GOBankingRates’ processes and standards in our editorial policy.
- Missouri Research and Information Center "Cost of Living Data Series"
- The Tax Foundation "State Individual Income Tax Rates and Brackets, 2026"
- The Tax Foundation "State and Local Sales Tax Rates, 2026"
- The Tax Foundation "Property Taxes by State and County, 2026"
- AARP "New Mexico State Taxes: What You’ll Pay in the 2026 Tax Season"
- Medicare'gov "Find & compare providers near you"
