9 Cities With Terrible Value You Should Avoid in Retirement

When it comes to retirement, many people envision relaxing days spent with their family and friends or working on their favorite hobbies.

However, when you no longer have an income from employment, you’ll need to rely on other financial resources — like Social Security and your savings. That makes it vital to find a retirement location with a reasonable cost of living.

Here are nine cities that have awful value for retirees, according to GOBankingRates research.

Also see the most affordable places to retire.

• Monthly cost of necessities: $7,338.85
• Monthly cost of necessities plus rent: $9,671.79

Dreaming of year-round warm weather and beautiful beaches? How about golf courses and tons of gorgeous hiking trails? Then Honolulu might cross your mind as the ideal retirement spot.

However, according to research conducted by GOBankingRates, its high cost of living and astronomical rents should make you think twice before making a permanent switch.

• Monthly cost of necessities: $6,665.36
• Monthly cost of necessities plus rent: $9,847.55

Boston is a beautiful city with lots to do. With museums, historical landmarks, festivals and green spaces, retirees can live out their golden years with all the comforts of a major metropolitan area.

Plus, Boston’s extensive public transportation options make it easy to get around without a vehicle. However, Boston is notoriously expensive and its rents rank among the highest in the nation, according to Redfin. 

• Monthly cost of necessities: $7,291.05
• Monthly cost of necessities plus rent: $9,537.32

Seattle is perfect for nature lovers who don’t want to be too far from the city. Full of lively neighborhoods and close to major recreational areas, including Golden Gardens, Discovery Park and Matthews Beach, it’s no surprise that some retirees may put Seattle at the top of their potential retirement locations.

However, Seattle’s gloomy weather and highly competitive housing market should give you pause before you make such a big move. 

• Monthly cost of necessities: $6,291.68
• Monthly cost of necessities plus rent: $9,110.29

Located in Orange County, California, Santa Ana offers year-round warm weather and proximity to the Pacific Ocean. Foodies will appreciate its wide variety of restaurants and a cool historic district stretching over 21 blocks. Living in Santa Ana means you’re never too far from the action, as it’s close to Los Angeles and other Orange County cities.

But like with all the other locations on our list, it’s best to avoid Santa Ana if you’re hoping to stretch your retirement dollars.

• Monthly cost of necessities: $6,517.63
• Monthly cost of necessities plus rent: $9,022.72

At first glance, Eagle, Idaho, may seem like a dream location for retirees. Located just a few miles outside Boise, Eagle sits next to Boise National Forest — perfect for nature enthusiasts who want to camp, kayak or hike.

However, a thriving tech economy has driven up local housing prices and rents, so retirees may find it unaffordable compared with other small towns.

• Monthly cost of necessities: $6,569.77
• Monthly cost of necessities plus rent: $9,100.99

With vibrant neighborhoods, world-class museums and historical landmarks galore, Washington, D.C., is the big-city lover’s dream. It has a thriving public transportation system, and its decent year-round weather makes it a highly walkable city.

Unfortunately, Washington doesn’t fare well for retirees because of its skyrocketing grocery and entertainment costs. 

• Monthly cost of necessities: $6,178.71
• Monthly cost of necessities plus rent: $8,339.62

Scottsdale, Arizona, is the pre-eminent warm-weather lover’s paradise, with 300-plus sun-filled days a year. That makes it an enticing location for retirees who picture themselves spending their days on the golf course and evenings out with their friends.

However, Scottsdale isn’t for the budget-minded. Its steep housing costs may price retirees out of the market. 

• Monthly cost of necessities: $6,178.71
• Monthly cost of necessities plus rent: $8,523.58

Located just outside the Denver metropolitan area, Parker, Colorado, is known for its open areas, luxurious housing and low crime rate. It boasts many fun activities throughout the year, including skiing, festivals and farmer’s markets.

Unfortunately, all those amenities come at a price, making Parker one of the most expensive towns for retirees. 

• Monthly cost of necessities: $7,021.65
• Monthly cost of necessities plus rent: $9,553.54

Arlington, Virginia, is just minutes from Washington, but it retains its smaller-city vibes with many outdoor recreation opportunities. There are tons of world-class restaurants for food lovers and you’ll find no shortage of fantastic retail stores.

However, experiencing everything Arlington has to offer comes with an expensive price tag, especially for housing and groceries. 

After decades spent working and raising children, you’re probably looking forward to spending your retirement years doing what you love — perhaps playing golf, visiting your family and relaxing (of course).

However, when deciding on your retirement locale, pay close attention to the costs. You don’t want to blow your hard-earned retirement savings on an expensive city when better alternatives would allow you to stretch your dollars much further.