I Asked ChatGPT the Worst Places To Retire on a Budget — These 7 Cities Came Out on Top
Written by
John Schmoll
Edited by
Jenna Klaverweiden
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Retirement brings thoughts of a leisurely life doing the things you’ve always envisioned in post-work life, but reality may paint a different picture for soon-to-be retirees, especially for those without a substantial portfolio.
For retirees living on a limited budget, finding an affordable place to live is essential to avoid outliving their funds. Researching the top places to retire on a budget can help mitigate that risk. Unfortunately, people don’t always perform due diligence, which can hamper retirement life, according to The New York Times. Larger cities may seem ideal for retirement living, but they’re often exorbitantly expensive for many retirees, especially those relying on Social Security.
You may find access to quality healthcare in some larger cities, but the trade-off may be a higher cost of living — the very thing that many retirees may want to avoid. GOBankingRates asked ChatGPT for the worst places to retire on a budget. These are the seven cities the artificial intelligence (AI) chatbot recommended retirees skip.
Also see five cities retirees are moving to in 2026.
1. New York City
Retirees may get access to world-class entertainment in New York City, but it comes at a cost. “[New York City is] one of the most expensive cities in the country for both renters and homeowners; even small apartments can take a massive chunk of a fixed income,” ChatGPT said.
Although the city is walkable, that can also add to budget needs. “You may not need a car, but subway/bus fares, fees and tipping culture still add to monthly costs,” the chatbot said.
New York City may be fun, but living there can needlessly stress a budget.
2. San Francisco
San Francisco is a fun city to visit, but it’s expensive to live there. “Housing is the big budget killer: high purchase prices and steep rents make it difficult to downsize affordably,” the AI explained.
Worse yet, California has notoriously high income taxes that can take an outsize bite out of your budget.
3. Los Angeles
Like New York City, Los Angeles provides access to loads of entertainment options. You pay for that access, though. “Popular neighborhoods near the coast or entertainment hubs carry premium rents and home prices,” ChatGPT said.
Los Angeles isn’t walkable either. “Retirees often need or want a car here, which means gas, insurance, parking and maintenance add up quickly,” the AI explained.
4. San Diego
San Diego is great for beach lovers. The hidden gem of a city is expensive, regardless of where you live in the city. “The beach lifestyle comes at a cost: coastal neighborhoods and even inland suburbs have elevated home prices and rents,” ChatGPT said.
The cost doesn’t subside in cooler months either. “You pay for the sunshine almost every month in your budget,” it said.
5. Honolulu
The idea of retiring to Hawaii is enviable, but the higher costs will put pressure on a modest budget. “Nearly everything, from groceries to building materials, has to be shipped in, which pushes prices well above mainland levels,” ChatGPT said.
Limited land also pushes prices higher. “Limited land and high demand keep housing costs extremely high, even for smaller condos,” the AI said. That’s not to mention the costs to visit friends and family.
6. Miami
Miami is another beautiful beach city. And Florida boasts no state income tax. That comes at a cost, though. “Florida’s lack of state income tax helps, but surging housing and rents in many parts of Miami can offset that benefit,” ChatGPT said. Additionally, homeowners and flood insurance are costly needs that retirees can’t avoid.
Retirees keen on Miami may want to look elsewhere in the state to reduce expenses. “[Miami is] attractive for warm-weather lovers, but a retiree on a strict budget might get more value in smaller Florida cities,” the AI said.
7. Seattle
Seattle is another beautiful city that has high costs for retirees. Washington has no state income tax, but the chatbot noted that it makes up for it with a high sales tax.
Housing is expensive as well. “A strong tech economy has driven up home prices and rents, making affordable downsizing harder,” ChatGPT said.
If soon-to-be retirees are looking to move, it’s vital to identify a place that balances affordability with ample access to quality healthcare and entertainment options. Selecting a more expensive city could unnecessarily stress your budget in retirement.
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