The Best and Worst Place To Retire in Every State

Some cities are better suited for retirement than others.

To determine the best and worst place in each U.S. state to retire, GOBankingRates used the U.S. Census American Community Survey to find each city’s total population, total households, percentage of the population aged 65-plus, the percentage of the 65-plus population below the poverty rate, and the total number of residents aged 65-plus under the poverty rate.

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Additional factors sourced from the survey include the number of households that receive Social Security income, along with the average Social Security income amount, and the number of households that receive retirement income, as well as the average retirement income.

Each city’s cost of living index was also sourced along with calculations for each city’s average expenditure cost. These expenditure costs were combined with the average mortgage cost for the total monthly cost of living.

In alphabetical order, here are the best and worst places to retire across America.

• Best city: Orange Beach
• Average income of households with retirement income: $30,223
• Average income of households with Social Security income: $27,361
• Average monthly total cost of living: $1,860
• Average monthly mortgage cost: $3,684
• Average single family home value (May 2024): $618,344
• Livability: 77

• Worst city: Tarrant
• Average income of households with retirement income: $12,421
• Average income of households with Social Security income: $14,781
• Average monthly total cost of living: $1,903
• Average monthly mortgage cost: $433
• Average single family home value (May 2024): $72,682
• Livability: 45

• Best city: Sterling
• Average income of households with retirement income: $34,639
• Average income of households with Social Security income: $22,706
• Average monthly total cost of living: $2,148
• Average monthly mortgage cost: $2,057
• Average single family home value (May 2024): $345,320
• Livability: 59

• Worst city: Meadow Lakes
• Average income of households with retirement income: $34,733
• Average income of households with Social Security income: $22,810
• Average monthly total cost of living: $2,362
• Average monthly mortgage cost: $2,043
• Average single family home value (May 2024): $342,871
• Livability: 50

• Best city: Sun City
• Average income of households with retirement income: $27,654 
• Average income of households with Social Security income: $25,346
• Average monthly total cost of living: $1,870
• Average monthly mortgage cost: $1,976
• Average single family home value (May 2024): $331,680
• Livability: 71

• Worst city: Somerton
• Average income of households with retirement income: $42,864
• Average income of households with Social Security income: $15,533
• Average monthly total cost of living: $2,044
• Average monthly mortgage cost: $1,557
• Average single family home value (May 2024): $261,270
• Livability: 60

• Best city: Cherokee Village
• Average income of households with retirement income: $18,069
• Average income of households with Social Security income: $22,387
• Average monthly total cost of living: $1,650
• Average monthly mortgage cost: $834
• Average single family home value (May 2024): $139,909
• Livability: 59

• Worst city: Wynne
• Average income of households with retirement income: $21,862
• Average income of households with Social Security income: $19,074
• Average monthly total cost of living: $1,629
• Average monthly mortgage cost: $769
• Average single family home value (May 2024): $129,023
• Livability: 54

Pictured: Little Rock, Arkansas

• Best city: Laguna Woods
• Average income of households with retirement income: $41,089
• Average income of households with Social Security income: $24,300
• Average monthly total cost of living: $1,915
• Average monthly mortgage cost: $2,874
• Average single family home value (May 2024): $482,377
• Livability: 72

• Worst city: Orange Cove
• Average income of households with retirement income: $31,666
• Average income of households with Social Security income: $9,788
• Average monthly total cost of living: $1,885
• Average monthly mortgage cost: $1,624
• Average single family home value (May 2024): $272,535
• Livability: 45

• Best city: Salida
• Average income of households with retirement income: $44,791
• Average income of households with Social Security income: $18,412
• Average monthly total cost of living: $1,726
• Average monthly mortgage cost: $4,159
• Average single family home value (May 2024): $698,073
• Livability: 83

• Worst city: Aspen
• Average income of households with retirement income: $34,668
• Average income of households with Social Security income: $28,913
• Average monthly total cost of living: $1,739
• Average monthly mortgage cost: $54,999
• Average single family home value (May 2024): $9,231,824
• Livability: 66

• Best city: Meriden
• Average income of households with retirement income: $29,536
• Average income of households with Social Security income: $21,732
• Average monthly total cost of living: $2,036
• Average monthly mortgage cost: $1,839
• Average single family home value (May 2024): $308,689
• Livability: 82

• Worst city: Stamford
• Average income of households with retirement income: $37,859
• Average income of households with Social Security income: $23,074
• Average monthly total cost of living: $2,237
• Average monthly mortgage cost: $4,979
• Average single family home value (May 2024): $835,703
• Livability: 70

• Best city: Newark
• Average income of households with retirement income: $45,461
• Average income of households with Social Security income: $27,664 
• Average monthly total cost of living: $2,052
• Average monthly mortgage cost: $2,103
• Average single family home value (May 2024): $352,939
• Livability: 83

• Worst city: Wilmington
• Average income of households with retirement income: $25,660
• Average income of households with Social Security income: $20,414
• Average monthly total cost of living: $1,959
• Average monthly mortgage cost: $1,903
• Average single family home value (May 2024): $319,510
• Livability: 62

• Average income of households with retirement income: $49,072
• Average income of households with Social Security income: $19,782
• Average monthly total cost of living: $2,107
• Average monthly mortgage cost: $4,361
• Average single family home value (May 2024): $732,079
• Livability: 75

• Best city: The Villages
• Average income of households with retirement income: $45,870
• Average income of households with Social Security income: $30,704
• Average monthly total cost of living: $1,816
• Average monthly mortgage cost: $2,442
• Average single family home value (May 2024): $409,945
• Livability: 70

• Worst city: Miami Beach
• Average income of households with retirement income: $32,109
• Average income of households with Social Security income: $18,980
• Average monthly total cost of living: $2,030
• Average monthly mortgage cost: $15,437
• Average single family home value (May 2024): $2,591,111
• Livability: 70

• Best city: Skidaway Island
• Average income of households with retirement income: $61,619
• Average income of households with Social Security income: $31,361
• Average monthly total cost of living: $1,842
• Average monthly mortgage cost: $5,459
• Average single family home value (May 2024): $916,364
• Livability: 61

• Worst city: Lovejoy
• Average income of households with retirement income: $10,827
• Average income of households with Social Security income: $13,528
• Average monthly total cost of living: $1,950
• Average monthly mortgage cost: $1,771
• Average single family home value (May 2024): $297,315
• Livability: 61

• Best city: Kaneohe
• Average income of households with retirement income: $41,756
• Average income of households with Social Security income: $24,446
• Average monthly total cost of living: $2,389
• Average monthly mortgage cost: $6,809
• Average single family home value (May 2024): $1,142,909
• Livability: 72

• Worst city: Kapolei
• Average income of households with retirement income: $39,864
• Average income of households with Social Security income: $27,077
• Average monthly total cost of living: $2,507
• Average monthly mortgage cost: $5,378
• Average single family home value (May 2024): $902,770
• Livability: 68

• Best city: Post Falls
• Average income of households with retirement income: $28,638
• Average income of households with Social Security income: $21,500
• Average monthly total cost of living: $1,746
• Average monthly mortgage cost: $2,993
• Average single family home value (May 2024): $502,415
• Livability: 88

• Worst city: Hailey
• Average income of households with retirement income: $27,256
• Average income of households with Social Security income: $26,165
• Average monthly total cost of living: $1,768
• Average monthly mortgage cost: $5,247
• Average single family home value (May 2024): $880,764
• Livability: 69

• Best city: Willowbrook
• Average income of households with retirement income: $34,694
• Average income of households with Social Security income: $28,791
• Average monthly total cost of living: $1,922
• Average monthly mortgage cost: $2,691
• Average single family home value (May 2024): $451,683
• Livability: 78

• Worst city: West Chicago
• Average income of households with retirement income: $25,276
• Average income of households with Social Security income: $26,267
• Average monthly total cost of living: $1,893
• Average monthly mortgage cost: $2,139
• Average single family home value (May 2024): $359,039
• Livability: 62

• Best city: Bedford
• Average income of households with retirement income: $19,770
• Average income of households with Social Security income: $21,160
• Average monthly total cost of living: $1,671
• Average monthly mortgage cost: $1,200
• Average single family home value (May 2024): $201,497
• Livability: 79

• Worst city: Lake Station
• Average income of households with retirement income: $19,019
• Average income of households with Social Security income: $22,342
• Average monthly total cost of living: $1,753
• Average monthly mortgage cost: $911
• Average single family home value (May 2024): $152,848
• Livability: 62

Pictured: Bloomington, Indiana

• Best city: Pella
• Average income of households with retirement income: $28,480
• Average income of households with Social Security income: $25,563
• Average monthly total cost of living: $1,707
• Average monthly mortgage cost: $2,011
• Average single family home value (May 2024): $337,592
• Livability: 89

• Worst city: Iowa City
• Average income of households with retirement income: $32,129
• Average income of households with Social Security income: $24,092
• Average monthly total cost of living: $1,925
• Average monthly mortgage cost: $1,918
• Average single family home value (May 2024): $321,871
• Livability: 83

• Best city: Abilene
• Average income of households with retirement income: $19,331
• Average income of households with Social Security income: $20,524
• Average monthly total cost of living: $1,767
• Average monthly mortgage cost: $1,028
• Average single family home value (May 2024): $172,580
• Livability: 76

• Worst city: Liberal
• Average income of households with retirement income: $19,750
• Average income of households with Social Security income: $19,592
• Average monthly total cost of living: $1,773
• Average monthly mortgage cost: $832
• Average single family home value (May 2024): $139,585
• Livability: 67

Pictured: Wichita, Kansas

• Best city: Edgewood
• Average income of households with retirement income: $48,261
• Average income of households with Social Security income: $28,779
• Average monthly total cost of living: $1,861
• Average monthly mortgage cost: $2,122
• Average single family home value (May 2024): $356,165
• Livability: 88

• Worst city: Oak Grove
• Average income of households with retirement income: $18,760
• Average income of households with Social Security income: $18,515
• Average monthly total cost of living: $1,753
• Average monthly mortgage cost: $1,196
• Average single family home value (May 2024): $200,817
• Livability: 57

Pictured: Lexington, Kentucky

• Best city: Metairie
• Average income of households with retirement income: $33,659
• Average income of households with Social Security income: $21,830
• Average monthly total cost of living: $1,891
• Average monthly mortgage cost: $1,754
• Average single family home value (May 2024): $294,384
• Livability: 85

• Worst city: Bastrop
• Average income of households with retirement income: $11,895
• Average income of households with Social Security income: $15,196
• Average monthly total cost of living: $1,890
• Average monthly mortgage cost: $477
• Average single family home value (May 2024): $80,029
• Livability: 51

• Best city: Brunswick
• Average income of households with retirement income: $34,447
• Average income of households with Social Security income: $21,443
• Average monthly total cost of living: $1,778
• Average monthly mortgage cost: $3,020
• Average single family home value (May 2024): $507,004
• Livability: 87

• Worst city: Brewer
• Average income of households with retirement income: $27,901
• Average income of households with Social Security income: $19,028
• Average monthly total cost of living: $1,792
• Average monthly mortgage cost: $1,691
• Average single family home value (May 2024): $283,925
• Livability: 69

• Best city: Cumberland
• Average income of households with retirement income: $27,067
• Average income of households with Social Security income: $20,959
• Average monthly total cost of living: $1,656
• Average monthly mortgage cost: $872
• Average single family home value (May 2024): $146,303
• Livability: 78

• Worst city: Bladensburg
• Average income of households with retirement income: $23,667
• Average income of households with Social Security income: $17,049
• Average monthly total cost of living: $2,036
• Average monthly mortgage cost: $2,074
• Average single family home value (May 2024): $348,153
• Livability: 69

• Best city: Wakefield
• Average income of households with retirement income: $38,725
• Average income of households with Social Security income: $23,686
• Average monthly total cost of living: 1,919
• Average monthly mortgage cost: $4,954
• Average single family home value (May 2024): $831,520
• Livability: 88

• Worst city: Cambridge
• Average income of households with retirement income: $44,415 
• Average income of households with Social Security income: $23,946
• Average monthly total cost of living: $2,257
• Average monthly mortgage cost: $10,699
• Average single family home value (May 2024): $1,795,882
• Livability: 86

• Best city: Ludington
• Average income of households with retirement income: $21,750
• Average income of households with Social Security income: $21,587
• Average monthly total cost of living: $1,582
• Average monthly mortgage cost: $1,634
• Average single family home value (May 2024): $274,286
• Livability: 82

• Worst city: Benton Harbor
• Average income of households with retirement income: $10,608
• Average income of households with Social Security income: $14,454
• Average monthly total cost of living: $1,715
• Average monthly mortgage cost: $850
• Average single family home value (May 2024): $142,710
• Livability: 55

• Best city: Fergus Falls
• Average income of households with retirement income: $19,904
• Average income of households with Social Security income: $22,846
• Average monthly total cost of living: $1,539
• Average monthly mortgage cost: $1,136
• Average single family home value (May 2024): $190,691
• Livability: 82

• Worst city: Oak Grove
• Average income of households with retirement income: $23,137
• Average income of households with Social Security income: $23,719
• Average monthly total cost of living: $1,822
• Average monthly mortgage cost: $2,702
• Average single family home value (May 2024): $453,496
• Livability: 62

• Best city: Ocean Springs
• Average income of households with retirement income: $34,647
• Average income of households with Social Security income: $22,409
• Average monthly total cost of living: $1,787
• Average monthly mortgage cost: $1,566
• Average single family home value (May 2024): $262,881
• Livability: 84

• Worst city: Brookhaven
• Average income of households with retirement income: $23,478
• Average income of households with Social Security income: $16,976
• Average monthly total cost of living: $1,735
• Average monthly mortgage cost: $1,008
• Average single family home value (May 2024): $169,223
• Livability: 62

• Best city: Weldon Spring
• Average income of households with retirement income: $42,515
• Average income of households with Social Security income: $26,584
• Average monthly total cost of living: $1,788
• Average monthly mortgage cost: $3,726
• Average single family home value (May 2024): $625,365
• Livability: 74

• Worst city: Glasgow Village
• Average income of households with retirement income: $3,795
• Average income of households with Social Security income: $17,835
• Average monthly total cost of living: $1,764
• Average monthly mortgage cost: $385
• Average single family home value (May 2024): $64,631
• Livability: 54

• Best city: Helena
• Average income of households with retirement income: $28,914
• Average income of households with Social Security income: $21,621
• Average monthly total cost of living: $1,685
• Average monthly mortgage cost: $2,821
• Average single family home value (May 2024): $473,556
• Livability: 81

• Worst city: Belgrade
• Average income of households with retirement income: $38,274
• Average income of households with Social Security income: $16,426
• Average monthly total cost of living: $1,782
• Average monthly mortgage cost: $3,418
• Average single family home value (May 2024): $573,779
• Livability: 77

• Best city: Papillion
• Average income of households with retirement income: $40,370
• Average income of households with Social Security income: $24,986
• Average monthly total cost of living: $1,900
• Average monthly mortgage cost: $2,393
• Average single family home value (May 2024): $401,739
• Livability: 85

• Worst city: Kearney
• Average income of households with retirement income: $23,254
• Average income of households with Social Security income: $23,878
• Average monthly total cost of living: $2,257
• Average monthly mortgage cost: $1,766
• Average single family home value (May 2024): $296,485
• Livability: 82

• Best city: Mesquite
• Average income of households with retirement income: $38,444
• Average income of households with Social Security income: $26,855
• Average monthly total cost of living: $1,807
• Average monthly mortgage cost: $2,399
• Average single family home value (May 2024): $402,699
• Livability: 76

• Worst city: Sun Valley
• Average income of households with retirement income: $21,550
• Average income of households with Social Security income: $18,636
• Average monthly total cost of living: $1,835
• Average monthly mortgage cost: $2,474
• Average single family home value (May 2024): $415,261
• Livability: 60

• Best city: Concord
• Average income of households with retirement income: $29,570
• Average income of households with Social Security income: $23,853
• Average monthly total cost of living: $1,737
• Average monthly mortgage cost: $2,642
• Average single family home value (May 2024): $443,470
• Livability: 88

• Worst city: Lebanon
• Average income of households with retirement income: $46,845
• Average income of households with Social Security income: $25,172
• Average monthly total cost of living: $1,759
• Average monthly mortgage cost: $2,772
• Average single family home value (May 2024): $465,248
• Livability: 65

• Best city: Mays Landing
• Average income of households with retirement income: $37,576
• Average income of households with Social Security income: $29,306
• Average monthly total cost of living: $1,828
• Average monthly mortgage cost: $1,978
• Average single family home value (May 2024): $332,047
• Livability: 74

• Worst city: Passaic
• Average income of households with retirement income: $18,014
• Average income of households with Social Security income: $17,831
• Average monthly total cost of living: $2,102
• Average monthly mortgage cost: $3,261
• Average single family home value (May 2024): $547,431
• Livability: 60

• Best city: Raton
• Average income of households with retirement income: $25,307
• Average income of households with Social Security income: $19,899
• Average monthly total cost of living: $1,656
• Average monthly mortgage cost: $822
• Average single family home value (May 2024): $138,025
• Livability: 71

• Worst city: Chaparral
• Average income of households with retirement income: $22,638
• Average income of households with Social Security income: $18,257
• Average monthly total cost of living: $1,699
• Average monthly mortgage cost: $1,133
• Average single family home value (May 2024): $190,258
• Livability: 45

Pictured: Roswell, New Mexico

• Best city: Fredonia
• Average income of households with retirement income: $26,532
• Average income of households with Social Security income: $26,594
• Average monthly total cost of living: $1,761
• Average monthly mortgage cost: $1,164
• Average single family home value (May 2024): $195,320
• Livability: 82

• Worst city: Monsey
• Average income of households with retirement income: $31,311
• Average income of households with Social Security income: $26,781
• Average monthly total cost of living: $2,396
• Average monthly mortgage cost: $7,385
• Average single family home value (May 2024): $1,239,569
• Livability: 61

Pictured: Buffalo, New York

• Best city: Black Mountain
• Average income of households with retirement income: $37,169
• Average income of households with Social Security income: $27,365
• Average monthly total cost of living: $1,951
• Average monthly mortgage cost: $2,868
• Average single family home value (May 2024): $481,489
• Livability: 85

• Worst city: Spring Lake
• Average income of households with retirement income: $16,157
• Average income of households with Social Security income: $14,257
• Average monthly total cost of living: $1,835
• Average monthly mortgage cost: $1,523
• Average single family home value (May 2024): $255,576
• Livability: 59

Pictured: Asheville, North Carolina

• Best city: Bismarck
• Average income of households with retirement income: $34,756
• Average income of households with Social Security income: $22,218
• Average monthly total cost of living: $1,691
• Average monthly mortgage cost: $2,200
• Average single family home value (May 2024): $369,361
• Livability: 78

• Worst city: Watford City
• Average income of households with retirement income: $16,717
• Average income of households with Social Security income: $17,732
• Average monthly total cost of living: $1,762
• Average monthly mortgage cost: $1,929
• Average single family home value (May 2024): $323,779
• Livability: 71

• Best city: Strongsville
• Average income of households with retirement income: $37,302
• Average income of households with Social Security income: $23,887
• Average monthly total cost of living: $1,719
• Average monthly mortgage cost: $2,072
• Average single family home value (May 2024): $347,719
• Livability: 87

• Worst city: Moraine
• Average income of households with retirement income: $20,062
• Average income of households with Social Security income: $19,510
• Average monthly total cost of living: $1,727
• Average monthly mortgage cost: $916
• Average single family home value (May 2024): $153,696
• Livability: 51

• Best city: Alva
• Average income of households with retirement income: $32,717
• Average income of households with Social Security income: $18,954
• Average monthly total cost of living: $1,893
• Average monthly mortgage cost: $582
• Average single family home value (May 2024): $97,740
• Livability: 80

• Worst city: Anadarko
• Average income of households with retirement income: $23,696
• Average income of households with Social Security income: $15,555
• Average monthly total cost of living: $2,129
• Average monthly mortgage cost: $358
• Average single family home value (May 2024): $60,161
• Livability: 53

• Best city: Florence
• Average income of households with retirement income: $28,735
• Average income of households with Social Security income: $23,417
• Average monthly total cost of living: $1,715
• Average monthly mortgage cost: $2,552
• Average single family home value (May 2024): $428,434
• Livability: 69

• Worst city: Independence
• Average income of households with retirement income: $28,316
• Average income of households with Social Security income: $17,969
• Average monthly total cost of living: $1,778
• Average monthly mortgage cost: $2,470
• Average single family home value (May 2024): $414,562
• Livability: 66

• Best city: Titusville
• Average income of households with retirement income: $18,140
• Average income of households with Social Security income: $19,844
• Average monthly total cost of living: $1,750
• Average monthly mortgage cost: $616
• Average single family home value (May 2024): $103,403
• Livability: 82

• Worst city: Philadelphia
• Average income of households with retirement income: $25,430
• Average income of households with Social Security income: $18,515
• Average monthly total cost of living: $2,084
• Average monthly mortgage cost: $1,307
• Average single family home value (May 2024): $219,330
• Livability: 76

• Best city: Cranston
• Average income of households with retirement income: $27,851
• Average income of households with Social Security income: $20,259
• Average monthly total cost of living: $1,891
• Average monthly mortgage cost: $2,528
• Average single family home value (May 2024): $424,290
• Livability: 85

• Worst city: Central Falls
• Average income of households with retirement income: $13,855
• Average income of households with Social Security income: $15,903
• Average monthly total cost of living: $1,929
• Average monthly mortgage cost: $2,094
• Average single family home value (May 2024): $351,435
• Livability: 64

• Best city: Murrells Inlet
• Average income of households with retirement income: $35,756
• Average income of households with Social Security income: $26,060
• Average monthly total cost of living: $1,749
• Average monthly mortgage cost: $2,610
• Average single family home value (May 2024): $438,131
• Livability: 74

• Worst city: Central
• Average income of households with retirement income: $17,844
• Average income of households with Social Security income: $17,580
• Average monthly total cost of living: $1,820
• Average monthly mortgage cost: $1,589
• Average single family home value (May 2024): $266,750
• Livability: 62

Pictured: Myrtle Beach, South Carolina

• Best city: Brandon
• Average income of households with retirement income: $26,280
• Average income of households with Social Security income: $21,963
• Average monthly total cost of living: $1,778
• Average monthly mortgage cost: $2,272
• Average single family home value (May 2024): $381,333
• Livability: 87

• Worst city: Box Elder
• Average income of households with retirement income: $35,312
• Average income of households with Social Security income: $16,821
• Average monthly total cost of living: $2,031
• Average monthly mortgage cost: $2,045
• Average single family home value (May 2024): $343,185
• Livability: 63

• Best city: Paris
• Average income of households with retirement income: $18,923
• Average income of households with Social Security income: $20,692
• Average monthly total cost of living: $1,680
• Average monthly mortgage cost: $1,172
• Average single family home value (May 2024): $196,681
• Livability: 73

• Worst city: La Vergne
• Average income of households with retirement income: $16,668
• Average income of households with Social Security income: $22,135
• Average monthly total cost of living: $1,876
• Average monthly mortgage cost: $2,076
• Average single family home value (May 2024): $348,387
• Livability: 65

• Best city: Kerrville
• Average income of households with retirement income: $29,762
• Average income of households with Social Security income: $21,751
• Average monthly total cost of living: $1,719
• Average monthly mortgage cost: $2,148
• Average single family home value (May 2024): $360,589
• Livability: 81

• Worst city: Sparks
• Average income of households with retirement income: $28,649
• Average income of households with Social Security income: $10,441
• Average monthly total cost of living: $1,747
• Average monthly mortgage cost: $918
• Average single family home value (May 2024): $154,119
• Livability: 53

Pictured: El Paso, Texas

• Best city: Taylorsville
• Average income of households with retirement income: $26,902
• Average income of households with Social Security income: $23,829
• Average monthly total cost of living: $1,796
• Average monthly mortgage cost: $2,916
• Average single family home value (May 2024): $489,532
• Livability: 86

• Worst city: Salt Lake City
• Average income of households with retirement income: $31,927
• Average income of households with Social Security income: $22,625
• Average monthly total cost of living: $1,811
• Average monthly mortgage cost: $3,573
• Average single family home value (May 2024): $599,714
• Livability: 75

• Best city: Middlebury
• Average income of households with retirement income: $42,945
• Average income of households with Social Security income: $23,201
• Average monthly total cost of living: $1,983
• Average monthly mortgage cost: $2,662
• Average single family home value (May 2024): $446,835
• Livability: 81

• Worst city: Burlington
• Average income of households with retirement income: $29,313
• Average income of households with Social Security income: $21,305
• Average monthly total cost of living: $2,309
• Average monthly mortgage cost: $3,349
• Average single family home value (May 2024): $562,201
• Livability: 74

• Best city: Lynchburg
• Average income of households with retirement income: $24,022
• Average income of households with Social Security income: $21,748
• Average monthly total cost of living: $1,767
• Average monthly mortgage cost: $1,516
• Average single family home value (May 2024): $254,394
• Livability: 91

• Worst city: Fredericksburg
• Average income of households with retirement income: $40,461
• Average income of households with Social Security income: $20,790
• Average monthly total cost of living: $1,915
• Average monthly mortgage cost: $2,729
• Average single family home value (May 2024): $458,093
• Livability: 65

• Best city: Centralia
• Average income of households with retirement income: $19,853
• Average income of households with Social Security income: $18,461
• Average monthly total cost of living: $1,602
• Average monthly mortgage cost: $2,340
• Average single family home value (May 2024): $392,708
• Livability: 79

• Worst city: Seattle
• Average income of households with retirement income: $35,689
• Average income of households with Social Security income: $24,071
• Average monthly total cost of living: $1,899
• Average monthly mortgage cost: $5,807
• Average single family home value (May 2024): $974,785
• Livability: 75

• Best city: Bridgeport
• Average income of households with retirement income: $24,182
• Average income of households with Social Security income: $23,396
• Average monthly total cost of living: $1,899
• Average monthly mortgage cost: $1,766
• Average single family home value (May 2024): $296,452
• Livability: 82

• Worst city: Charles Town
• Average income of households with retirement income: $32,152
• Average income of households with Social Security income: $20,739
• Average monthly total cost of living: $2,172
• Average monthly mortgage cost: $2,327
• Average single family home value (May 2024): $390,658
• Livability: 75

• Best city: Wausau
• Average income of households with retirement income: $21,953
• Average income of households with Social Security income: $21,359
• Average monthly total cost of living: $1,711
• Average monthly mortgage cost: $1,291
• Average single family home value (May 2024): $216,754
• Livability: 90

• Worst city: La Crosse
• Average income of households with retirement income: $25,867
• Average income of households with Social Security income: $21,524
• Average monthly total cost of living: $2,008
• Average monthly mortgage cost: $1,486
• Average single family home value (May 2024): $249,422
• Livability: 67

• Best city: Cheyenne
• Average income of households with retirement income: $35,005
• Average income of households with Social Security income: $21,592
• Average monthly total cost of living: $1,987
• Average monthly mortgage cost: $2,196
• Average single family home value (May 2024): $368,600
• Livability: 83

• Worst city: Laramie
• Average income of households with retirement income: $25,747
• Average income of households with Social Security income: $21,607
• Average monthly total cost of living: $2,196
• Average monthly mortgage cost: $2,171
• Average single family home value (May 2024): $364,435
• Livability: 70

Methodology: For this study, GOBankingRates analyzed cities across the United States to find the best and worst places to retire in every state. First, GOBankingRates found the total population, total households, population of ages 65+, percentage of population below poverty rate of residents aged 65+, total number of residents under poverty rate of ages 65+, the number of households that receive Social Security income, the number of households that receive retirement income, the average retirement income for households whom receive retirement income, and the average Social Security income for households that receive Social Security income, all sourced from the U.S. Census American Community Survey DP03 and S0101. For each city, the cost of living indexes were sourced from Sperling’s BestPlaces and using the national average expenditure costs for retired residents aged 65+, the average expenditure cost for each city can be calculated. The average single family home value for May 2024 was sourced from Zillow Home Value Index, and using the national average 30-year fixed mortgage rate as sourced from the Federal Reserve Economic Data, the average mortgage cost for each city was calculated. The average mortgage cost and expenditure costs can be summed to find the total monthly cost of living. The percentage of the population aged 65+ who are below the poverty line was scored and weighted at 1.00, the Social Security income was scored and weighted at 1.00, the average Social Security income for households with Social Security income was scored and weighted at 1.00, the percentage of households with retirement income was scored and weighted at 1.00, the average retirement income was scored and weighted at 1.00, the monthly expenditure costs were scored and weighted at 1.00, the monthly mortgage cost was scored and weighted at 1.00, and the livability was scored and weighted at 1.00. The highest score was recorded for the best place to retire in each state, and the lowest score was recorded for the worst place to retire in each state. All data was collected on and is up to date as of Jun. 24, 2024.