The 50 Best Towns to Retire in America

Ranked on The Town Files lifestyle rankings among 3,996 towns of 10,000–50,000 people in the U.S.. #1 is Palmer Ranch, FL.

1. 50Grosse Ile, Michigan

   Better for retirees than 93% of U.S. towns

   Grosse Ile is a township of 10,788 people in Wayne County, Michigan. It also ranks more upscale than 98% of Michigan towns and better for families than 90% of Michigan towns.

   10,788 people · Wayne County · median home $355,900 · income $126,582 · Jan low 19°F · 54 in snow

   Full Grosse Ile, Michigan profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

2. 49Sierra Madre, California

   Better for retirees than 93% of U.S. towns

   Sierra Madre is a city of 11,268 people in Los Angeles County, California. It also ranks hipper than 99% of California towns and more walkable than 91% of California towns.

   11,268 people · Los Angeles County · median home $1,226,800 · income $143,547 · Jan low 38°F · 0 in snow

   Full Sierra Madre, California profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

3. 48Mill Valley, California

   Better for retirees than 93% of U.S. towns

   Mill Valley is a city of 14,231 people in Marin County, California. It also ranks more upscale than 98% of California towns and better for young professionals than 95% of California towns.

   14,231 people · Marin County · median home $2,000,001 · income $206,212 · Jan low 42°F · 0 in snow

   Full Mill Valley, California profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

4. 47Wilmington Island, Georgia

   Better for retirees than 93% of U.S. towns

   Wilmington Island is a community of 15,129 people in Chatham County, Georgia. It also ranks more seaside character than 98% of Georgia towns and more upscale than 93% of Georgia towns.

   15,129 people · Chatham County · median home $404,900 · income $93,924 · Jan low 40°F · 0 in snow

   Full Wilmington Island, Georgia profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

5. 46Duxbury, Massachusetts

   Better for retirees than 93% of U.S. towns

   Duxbury is a town of 16,090 people in Plymouth County, Massachusetts. It also ranks better for families than 93% of Massachusetts towns and better for cycling than 88% of Massachusetts towns.

   16,090 people · Plymouth County · median home $874,600 · income $176,583 · Jan low 22°F · 38 in snow

   Full Duxbury, Massachusetts profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

6. 45Laguna Woods, California

   Better for retirees than 93% of U.S. towns

   Laguna Woods is a city of 17,644 people in Orange County, California. It also ranks better for first-time buyers than 96% of California towns and hipper than 95% of California towns.

   17,644 people · Orange County · median home $394,600 · income $59,269 · Jan low 44°F · 0 in snow

   Full Laguna Woods, California profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

7. 44East Goshen, Pennsylvania

   Better for retirees than 93% of U.S. towns

   

   East Goshen is a township of 18,410 people in Chester County, Pennsylvania. It also ranks better for young professionals than 95% of Pennsylvania towns and more upscale than 93% of Pennsylvania towns.

   18,410 people · Chester County · median home $528,600 · income $106,866 · Jan low 20°F · 31 in snow

   Full East Goshen, Pennsylvania profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

8. 43Bainbridge Island, Washington

   Better for retirees than 93% of U.S. towns

   

   Bainbridge Island is a city of 24,825 people in Kitsap County, Washington. It also ranks more upscale than 98% of Washington towns and more seaside character than 96% of Washington towns.

   24,825 people · Kitsap County · median home $1,155,900 · income $172,188 · Jan low 36°F · 4 in snow

   Full Bainbridge Island, Washington profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

9. 42Bella Vista, Arkansas

   Better for retirees than 93% of U.S. towns

   Bella Vista is a city of 30,104 people in Benton County, Arkansas. It also ranks better for families than 98% of Arkansas towns and more upscale than 96% of Arkansas towns.

   30,104 people · Benton County · median home $296,700 · income $88,055 · Jan low 24°F · 11 in snow

   Full Bella Vista, Arkansas profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

10. 41Westlake, Ohio

    Better for retirees than 93% of U.S. towns

    Westlake is a city of 34,228 people in Cuyahoga County, Ohio. It also ranks better for young professionals than 97% of Ohio towns and more upscale than 92% of Ohio towns.

    34,228 people · Cuyahoga County · median home $368,200 · income $112,200 · Jan low 22°F · 64 in snow

    Full Westlake, Ohio profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

11. 40Estero, Florida

    Better for retirees than 93% of U.S. towns

    Estero is a village of 36,939 people in Lee County, Florida. It also ranks better for a vacation home than 89% of Florida towns and more upscale than 81% of Florida towns.

    36,939 people · Lee County · median home $461,900 · income $104,102 · Jan low 54°F · 0 in snow

    Full Estero, Florida profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

12. 39Worcester, Pennsylvania

    Better for retirees than 94% of U.S. towns

    Worcester is a township of 10,317 people in Montgomery County, Pennsylvania. It also ranks more upscale than 98% of Pennsylvania towns and better for young professionals than 89% of Pennsylvania towns.

    10,317 people · Montgomery County · median home $614,300 · income $185,114 · Jan low 20°F · 13 in snow

    Full Worcester, Pennsylvania profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

13. 38East Bradford, Pennsylvania

    Better for retirees than 94% of U.S. towns

    East Bradford is a township of 10,339 people in Chester County, Pennsylvania. It also ranks better for young professionals than 98% of Pennsylvania towns and more upscale than 96% of Pennsylvania towns.

    10,339 people · Chester County · median home $603,700 · income $155,240 · Jan low 20°F · 31 in snow

    Full East Bradford, Pennsylvania profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

14. 37Upper Providence, Pennsylvania

    Better for retirees than 94% of U.S. towns

    Upper Providence is a township of 10,852 people in Delaware County, Pennsylvania. It also ranks more upscale than 98% of Pennsylvania towns and better for young professionals than 96% of Pennsylvania towns.

    10,852 people · Delaware County · median home $632,400 · income $150,563 · Jan low 27°F · 18 in snow

    Full Upper Providence, Pennsylvania profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

15. 36West Deer, Pennsylvania

    Better for retirees than 94% of U.S. towns

    West Deer is a township of 12,262 people in Allegheny County, Pennsylvania. It also ranks better for cycling than 83% of Pennsylvania towns and more upscale than 79% of Pennsylvania towns.

    12,262 people · Allegheny County · median home $244,100 · income $94,820 · Jan low 19°F · 28 in snow

    Full West Deer, Pennsylvania profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

16. 35Key Largo, Florida

    Better for retirees than 94% of U.S. towns

    Key Largo is a community of 12,447 people in Monroe County, Florida. It also ranks better for a vacation home than 94% of Florida towns and more seaside character than 88% of Florida towns.

    12,447 people · Monroe County · median home $643,900 · income $85,778 · Jan low 63°F · 0 in snow

    Full Key Largo, Florida profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

17. 34Brecksville, Ohio

    Better for retirees than 94% of U.S. towns

    Brecksville is a city of 13,635 people in Cuyahoga County, Ohio. It also ranks more upscale than 94% of Ohio towns and better for young professionals than 84% of Ohio towns.

    13,635 people · Cuyahoga County · median home $371,900 · income $135,000 · Jan low 22°F · 60 in snow

    Full Brecksville, Ohio profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

18. 33Alamo, California

    Better for retirees than 94% of U.S. towns

    Alamo is a community of 15,314 people in Contra Costa County, California. It also ranks better for families than 98% of California towns and more upscale than 97% of California towns.

    15,314 people · Contra Costa County · median home $2,000,001 · income $250,001 · Jan low 42°F · 1 in snow

    Full Alamo, California profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

19. 32Concord, Massachusetts

    Better for retirees than 94% of U.S. towns

    Concord is a town of 18,491 people in Middlesex County, Massachusetts. It also ranks more upscale than 97% of Massachusetts towns and better for cycling than 94% of Massachusetts towns.

    18,491 people · Middlesex County · median home $1,210,000 · income $195,350 · Jan low 18°F · 59 in snow

    Full Concord, Massachusetts profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

20. 31East Lyme, Connecticut

    Better for retirees than 94% of U.S. towns

    East Lyme is a town of 18,693 people, Connecticut. It also ranks better for a vacation home than 89% of Connecticut towns and more seaside character than 88% of Connecticut towns.

    18,693 people · median home $412,600 · income $105,044 · Jan low 23°F · 26 in snow

    Full East Lyme, Connecticut profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

21. 30Mequon, Wisconsin

    Better for retirees than 94% of U.S. towns

    Mequon is a city of 25,142 people in Ozaukee County, Wisconsin. It also ranks more upscale than 100% of Wisconsin towns and better for young professionals than 97% of Wisconsin towns.

    25,142 people · Ozaukee County · median home $501,600 · income $144,051 · Jan low 11°F · 54 in snow

    Full Mequon, Wisconsin profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

22. 29Rio Vista, California

    Better for retirees than 95% of U.S. towns

    Rio Vista is a city of 10,005 people in Solano County, California. It also ranks quieter than 93% of California towns and better for first-time buyers than 89% of California towns.

    10,005 people · Solano County · median home $489,700 · income $89,306 · Jan low 40°F · 0 in snow

    Full Rio Vista, California profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

23. 28Brewster, Massachusetts

    Better for retirees than 95% of U.S. towns

    Brewster is a town of 10,318 people in Barnstable County, Massachusetts. It also ranks better for cycling than 98% of Massachusetts towns and better for a vacation home than 96% of Massachusetts towns.

    10,318 people · Barnstable County · median home $707,700 · income $103,317 · Jan low 26°F · 25 in snow

    Full Brewster, Massachusetts profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

24. 27Sonoma, California

    Better for retirees than 95% of U.S. towns

    Sonoma is a city of 10,739 people in Sonoma County, California. It also ranks hipper than 91% of California towns and better for a vacation home than 84% of California towns.

    10,739 people · Sonoma County · median home $970,500 · income $98,527 · Jan low 38°F · 0 in snow

    Full Sonoma, California profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

25. 26Gold Canyon, Arizona

    Better for retirees than 95% of U.S. towns

    Gold Canyon is a community of 11,404 people in Pinal County, Arizona. It also ranks better for a vacation home than 93% of Arizona towns and quieter than 90% of Arizona towns.

    11,404 people · Pinal County · median home $508,100 · income $93,377 · Jan low 43°F · 0 in snow

    Full Gold Canyon, Arizona profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

26. 25Lebanon, New Hampshire

    Better for retirees than 95% of U.S. towns

    Lebanon is a city of 14,282 people in Grafton County, New Hampshire. It also ranks more vibrant than 95% of New Hampshire towns and better for young professionals than 94% of New Hampshire towns.

    14,282 people · Grafton County · median home $385,400 · income $98,147 · Jan low 9°F · 61 in snow

    Full Lebanon, New Hampshire profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

27. 24Hot Springs Village, Arkansas

    Better for retirees than 95% of U.S. towns

    Hot Springs Village is a community of 15,861 people in Garland County, Arkansas. It also ranks quieter than 94% of Arkansas towns and more upscale than 89% of Arkansas towns.

    15,861 people · Garland County · median home $272,000 · income $75,370 · Jan low 32°F · 3 in snow

    Full Hot Springs Village, Arkansas profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

28. 23Hampton, New Hampshire

    Better for retirees than 95% of U.S. towns

    Hampton is a town of 16,214 people in Rockingham County, New Hampshire. It also ranks more seaside character than 94% of New Hampshire towns and more walkable than 93% of New Hampshire towns.

    16,214 people · Rockingham County · median home $550,200 · income $95,233 · Jan low 16°F · 63 in snow

    Full Hampton, New Hampshire profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

29. 22Unity, Pennsylvania

    Better for retirees than 95% of U.S. towns

    Unity is a township of 21,606 people in Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania. It also ranks more upscale than 73% of Pennsylvania towns and more of a college town than 72% of Pennsylvania towns.

    21,606 people · Westmoreland County · median home $245,400 · income $75,448 · Jan low 21°F · 48 in snow

    Full Unity, Pennsylvania profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

30. 21Rocky River, Ohio

    Better for retirees than 95% of U.S. towns

    Rocky River is a city of 21,755 people in Cuyahoga County, Ohio. It also ranks more walkable than 98% of Ohio towns and more vibrant than 98% of Ohio towns.

    21,755 people · Cuyahoga County · median home $349,300 · income $94,026 · Jan low 22°F · 64 in snow

    Full Rocky River, Ohio profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

31. 20Kirkland, New York

    Better for retirees than 96% of U.S. towns

    Kirkland is a town of 10,075 people in Oneida County, New York. It also ranks better for young professionals than 94% of New York towns and hipper than 92% of New York towns.

    10,075 people · Oneida County · median home $292,700 · income $82,926 · Jan low 14°F

    Full Kirkland, New York profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

32. 19Exeter, New Hampshire

    Better for retirees than 96% of U.S. towns

    Exeter is a community of 10,109 people in Rockingham County, New Hampshire. It also ranks hipper than 99% of New Hampshire towns and better for cycling than 98% of New Hampshire towns.

    10,109 people · Rockingham County · median home $357,500 · income $87,346 · Jan low 16°F · 63 in snow

    Full Exeter, New Hampshire profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

33. 18Rotonda, Florida

    Better for retirees than 96% of U.S. towns

    Rotonda is a community of 10,114 people in Charlotte County, Florida. It also ranks better for a vacation home than 95% of Florida towns and quieter than 89% of Florida towns.

    10,114 people · Charlotte County · median home $389,400 · income $74,573 · Jan low 53°F · 0 in snow

    Full Rotonda, Florida profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

34. 17Penn, Pennsylvania

    Better for retirees than 96% of U.S. towns

    Penn is a township of 10,210 people in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania. It also ranks better for first-time buyers than 85% of Pennsylvania towns and more upscale than 71% of Pennsylvania towns.

    10,210 people · Lancaster County · median home $320,500 · income $87,620 · Jan low 19°F · 23 in snow

    Full Penn, Pennsylvania profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

35. 16Kennebunk, Maine

    Better for retirees than 96% of U.S. towns

    

    Kennebunk is a town of 11,536 people in York County, Maine. It also ranks more upscale than 94% of Maine towns and more walkable than 88% of Maine towns.

    11,536 people · York County · median home $487,700 · income $107,804 · Jan low 13°F · 49 in snow

    Full Kennebunk, Maine profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

36. 15St. Simons, Georgia

    Better for retirees than 96% of U.S. towns

    St. Simons is a community of 14,982 people in Glynn County, Georgia. It also ranks more seaside character than 98% of Georgia towns and better for a vacation home than 95% of Georgia towns.

    14,982 people · Glynn County · median home $555,600 · income $108,771 · Jan low 44°F · 0 in snow

    Full St. Simons, Georgia profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

37. 14Upper Gwynedd, Pennsylvania

    Better for retirees than 96% of U.S. towns

    Upper Gwynedd is a township of 17,072 people in Montgomery County, Pennsylvania. It also ranks better transit than 96% of Pennsylvania towns and more upscale than 93% of Pennsylvania towns.

    17,072 people · Montgomery County · median home $479,400 · income $114,902 · Jan low 23°F · 25 in snow

    Full Upper Gwynedd, Pennsylvania profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

38. 13Portsmouth, Rhode Island

    Better for retirees than 96% of U.S. towns

    Portsmouth is a town of 17,871 people in Newport County, Rhode Island. It also ranks more upscale than 91% of Rhode Island towns and more seaside character than 90% of Rhode Island towns.

    17,871 people · Newport County · median home $597,000 · income $117,467 · Jan low 24°F · 38 in snow

    Full Portsmouth, Rhode Island profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

39. 12Murrysville, Pennsylvania

    Better for retirees than 96% of U.S. towns

    Murrysville is a municipality of 21,006 people in Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania. It also ranks more upscale than 94% of Pennsylvania towns and better for families than 90% of Pennsylvania towns.

    21,006 people · Westmoreland County · median home $342,100 · income $121,823 · Jan low 22°F · 25 in snow

    Full Murrysville, Pennsylvania profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

40. 11Nocatee, Florida

    Better for retirees than 96% of U.S. towns

    Nocatee is a community of 22,503 people in St. Johns County, Florida. It also ranks better for families than 100% of Florida towns and more upscale than 99% of Florida towns.

    22,503 people · St. Johns County · median home $648,800 · income $141,868 · Jan low 49°F · 0 in snow

    Full Nocatee, Florida profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

41. 10Port Townsend, Washington

    Better for retirees than 97% of U.S. towns

    Port Townsend is a city of 10,148 people in Jefferson County, Washington. It also ranks hipper than 100% of Washington towns and better for cycling than 99% of Washington towns.

    10,148 people · Jefferson County · median home $543,400 · income $62,606 · Jan low 38°F · 1 in snow

    Full Port Townsend, Washington profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

42. 9Willistown, Pennsylvania

    Better for retirees than 97% of U.S. towns

    

    Willistown is a township of 11,273 people in Chester County, Pennsylvania. It also ranks more upscale than 98% of Pennsylvania towns and better for families than 90% of Pennsylvania towns.

    11,273 people · Chester County · median home $617,800 · income $187,466 · Jan low 20°F · 31 in snow

    Full Willistown, Pennsylvania profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

43. 8York, Maine

    Better for retirees than 97% of U.S. towns

    York is a town of 13,723 people in York County, Maine. It also ranks more upscale than 97% of Maine towns and better for a vacation home than 93% of Maine towns.

    13,723 people · York County · median home $636,400 · income $121,250 · Jan low 14°F · 70 in snow

    Full York, Maine profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

44. 7Marco Island, Florida

    Better for retirees than 97% of U.S. towns

    Marco Island is a city of 15,760 people in Collier County, Florida. It also ranks better for a vacation home than 98% of Florida towns and quieter than 90% of Florida towns.

    15,760 people · Collier County · median home $896,300 · income $101,523 · Jan low 55°F · 0 in snow

    Full Marco Island, Florida profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

45. 6Viera West, Florida

    Better for retirees than 97% of U.S. towns

    Viera West is a community of 16,688 people in Brevard County, Florida. It also ranks more upscale than 93% of Florida towns and better for families than 92% of Florida towns.

    16,688 people · Brevard County · median home $546,600 · income $109,170 · Jan low 51°F · 0 in snow

    Full Viera West, Florida profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

46. 5Lakewood Ranch, Florida

    Better for retirees than 97% of U.S. towns

    Lakewood Ranch is a community of 34,877 people in Manatee County, Florida. It also ranks better for families than 92% of Florida towns and more upscale than 91% of Florida towns.

    34,877 people · Manatee County · median home $678,200 · income $122,925 · Jan low 52°F · 0 in snow

    Full Lakewood Ranch, Florida profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

47. 4Fredericksburg, Texas

    Better for retirees than 98% of U.S. towns

    Fredericksburg is a city of 10,875 people in Gillespie County, Texas. It also ranks better for a vacation home than 93% of Texas towns and hipper than 88% of Texas towns.

    10,875 people · Gillespie County · median home $460,300 · income $64,534 · Jan low 34°F · 0 in snow

    Full Fredericksburg, Texas profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

48. 3Saddlebrooke, Arizona

    Better for retirees than 98% of U.S. towns

    Saddlebrooke is a community of 12,574 people in Pinal County, Arizona. It also ranks more upscale than 94% of Arizona towns and better for families than 91% of Arizona towns.

    12,574 people · Pinal County · median home $498,700 · income $88,686 · Jan low 35°F · 11 in snow

    Full Saddlebrooke, Arizona profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

49. 2Exeter, New Hampshire

    Better for retirees than 98% of U.S. towns

    Exeter is a town of 16,049 people in Rockingham County, New Hampshire. It also ranks hipper than 99% of New Hampshire towns and better for cycling than 97% of New Hampshire towns.

    16,049 people · Rockingham County · median home $456,600 · income $110,346 · Jan low 14°F · 57 in snow

    Full Exeter, New Hampshire profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

50. 1Palmer Ranch, Florida

    Better for retirees than 99% of U.S. towns

    Palmer Ranch is a community of 14,966 people in Sarasota County, Florida. It also ranks more upscale than 85% of Florida towns and quieter than 79% of Florida towns.

    14,966 people · Sarasota County · median home $592,900 · income $102,838 · Jan low 52°F · 0 in snow

    Full Palmer Ranch, Florida profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

Price vs ranking

More U.S. rankings

• The 50 Best Small Towns to Retire in America
• The 50 Quietest Small Towns in America
• The 50 Most Affordable Small Towns in America
• The 50 Best Small Towns for Families in America
• The 50 Best Quiet, Affordable Small Towns to Retire in America
• The 50 Best Places to Retire in America
• The 50 Quietest Places in America
• The 50 Most Affordable Places in America
• The 50 Best Places for Families in America
• The 50 Best Quiet, Affordable Places to Retire in America