The 50 Best Small Towns to Retire in America With the Fewest Tornadoes

Ranked on The Town Files lifestyle rankings among 7,696 towns of 500–10,000 people in the U.S., scoring every town on all of these at once. #1 is Village of Oak Creek (Big Park), AZ.

1. 50Borrego Springs, California

   Retirement: 98th percentile · Tornadoes within 10 mi since 1950: 94th percentile

   

   Borrego Springs is a community of 3,073 people in San Diego County, California. Homes have a median value of $402,700 against household income of $86,078; January lows average 46°F.

   3,073 people · San Diego County · median home $402,700 · income $86,078 · Jan low 46°F · 0 in snow

   Full Borrego Springs, California profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

2. 49Olive, New York

   Retirement: 98th percentile · Tornadoes within 10 mi since 1950: 94th percentile

   Olive is a town of 4,226 people in Ulster County, New York. Homes have a median value of $375,100 against household income of $114,018; January lows average 12°F.

   4,226 people · Ulster County · median home $375,100 · income $114,018 · Jan low 12°F · 105 in snow

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

3. 48Northwest Harbor, New York

   Retirement: 98th percentile · Tornadoes within 10 mi since 1950: 94th percentile

   Northwest Harbor is a community of 4,637 people in Suffolk County, New York. Homes have a median value of $1,573,300 against household income of $160,375; January lows average 23°F.

   4,637 people · Suffolk County · median home $1,573,300 · income $160,375 · Jan low 23°F · 27 in snow

   Full Northwest Harbor, New York profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

4. 47Cape Elizabeth, Maine

   Retirement: 98th percentile · Tornadoes within 10 mi since 1950: 94th percentile

   Cape Elizabeth is a town of 9,535 people in Cumberland County, Maine. Homes have a median value of $731,600 against household income of $145,821; January lows average 16°F.

   9,535 people · Cumberland County · median home $731,600 · income $145,821 · Jan low 16°F · 69 in snow

   Full Cape Elizabeth, Maine profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

5. 46Waimea, Hawaii

   Retirement: 93rd percentile · Tornadoes within 10 mi since 1950: 100th percentile

   Waimea is a community of 9,904 people in Hawaii County, Hawaii. Homes have a median value of $677,400 against household income of $100,198; January lows average 68°F.

   9,904 people · Hawaii County · median home $677,400 · income $100,198 · Jan low 68°F · 0 in snow

   Full Waimea, Hawaii profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

6. 45Port Ludlow, Washington

   Retirement: 93rd percentile · Tornadoes within 10 mi since 1950: 100th percentile

   Port Ludlow is a community of 2,959 people in Jefferson County, Washington. Homes have a median value of $635,600 against household income of $96,103; January lows average 38°F.

   2,959 people · Jefferson County · median home $635,600 · income $96,103 · Jan low 38°F · 2 in snow

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

7. 44Jacksonville, Oregon

   Retirement: 93rd percentile · Tornadoes within 10 mi since 1950: 100th percentile

   Jacksonville is a city of 3,020 people in Jackson County, Oregon. Homes have a median value of $649,200 against household income of $90,341; January lows average 33°F.

   3,020 people · Jackson County · median home $649,200 · income $90,341 · Jan low 33°F · 3 in snow

   Full Jacksonville, Oregon profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

8. 43Provincetown, Massachusetts

   Retirement: 93rd percentile · Tornadoes within 10 mi since 1950: 100th percentile

   Provincetown is a community of 3,318 people in Barnstable County, Massachusetts. Homes have a median value of $959,000 against household income of $158,125; January lows average 22°F.

   3,318 people · Barnstable County · median home $959,000 · income $158,125 · Jan low 22°F

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

9. 42Little Compton, Rhode Island

   Retirement: 99th percentile · Tornadoes within 10 mi since 1950: 94th percentile

   Little Compton is a town of 3,616 people in Newport County, Rhode Island. Homes have a median value of $783,400 against household income of $134,750; January lows average 24°F.

   3,616 people · Newport County · median home $783,400 · income $134,750 · Jan low 24°F · 38 in snow

   Full Little Compton, Rhode Island profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

10. 41Provincetown, Massachusetts

    Retirement: 93rd percentile · Tornadoes within 10 mi since 1950: 100th percentile

    Provincetown is a town of 3,664 people in Barnstable County, Massachusetts. Homes have a median value of $902,200 against household income of $136,904; January lows average 22°F.

    3,664 people · Barnstable County · median home $902,200 · income $136,904 · Jan low 22°F

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

11. 40Carmel Valley Village, California

    Retirement: 99th percentile · Tornadoes within 10 mi since 1950: 94th percentile

    Carmel Valley Village is a community of 4,524 people in Monterey County, California. Homes have a median value of $1,275,500 against household income of $156,161; January lows average 40°F.

    4,524 people · Monterey County · median home $1,275,500 · income $156,161 · Jan low 40°F · 0 in snow

    Full Carmel Valley Village, California profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

12. 39St. Helena, California

    Retirement: 93rd percentile · Tornadoes within 10 mi since 1950: 100th percentile

    St. Helena is a city of 5,430 people in Napa County, California. Homes have a median value of $1,647,700 against household income of $148,750; January lows average 40°F.

    5,430 people · Napa County · median home $1,647,700 · income $148,750 · Jan low 40°F · 0 in snow

    Full St. Helena, California profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

13. 38Cape Neddick, Maine

    Retirement: 94th percentile · Tornadoes within 10 mi since 1950: 100th percentile

    Cape Neddick is a community of 3,037 people in York County, Maine. Homes have a median value of $684,400 against household income of $108,412; January lows average 14°F.

    3,037 people · York County · median home $684,400 · income $108,412 · Jan low 14°F · 70 in snow

    Full Cape Neddick, Maine profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

14. 37Rockport, Massachusetts

    Retirement: 100th percentile · Tornadoes within 10 mi since 1950: 94th percentile

    Rockport is a community of 5,010 people in Essex County, Massachusetts. Homes have a median value of $748,200 against household income of $86,250; January lows average 18°F.

    5,010 people · Essex County · median home $748,200 · income $86,250 · Jan low 18°F · 49 in snow

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

15. 36Angwin, California

    Retirement: 94th percentile · Tornadoes within 10 mi since 1950: 100th percentile

    Angwin is a community of 2,633 people in Napa County, California. Homes have a median value of $708,100 against household income of $117,500; January lows average 39°F.

    2,633 people · Napa County · median home $708,100 · income $117,500 · Jan low 39°F · 0 in snow

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

16. 35Bandon, Oregon

    Retirement: 94th percentile · Tornadoes within 10 mi since 1950: 100th percentile

    Bandon is a city of 3,321 people in Coos County, Oregon. Homes have a median value of $503,200 against household income of $48,187; January lows average 40°F.

    3,321 people · Coos County · median home $503,200 · income $48,187 · Jan low 40°F · 0 in snow

    Full Bandon, Oregon profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

17. 34Minden, Nevada

    Retirement: 94th percentile · Tornadoes within 10 mi since 1950: 100th percentile

    Minden is a community of 3,442 people in Douglas County, Nevada. Homes have a median value of $586,000 against household income of $99,904; January lows average 19°F.

    3,442 people · Douglas County · median home $586,000 · income $99,904 · Jan low 19°F · 22 in snow

    Full Minden, Nevada profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

18. 33Camden, Maine

    Retirement: 100th percentile · Tornadoes within 10 mi since 1950: 94th percentile

    Camden is a town of 5,232 people in Knox County, Maine. Homes have a median value of $520,600 against household income of $82,344; January lows average 12°F.

    5,232 people · Knox County · median home $520,600 · income $82,344 · Jan low 12°F · 69 in snow

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

19. 32Rockport, Massachusetts

    Retirement: 100th percentile · Tornadoes within 10 mi since 1950: 94th percentile

    Rockport is a town of 6,992 people in Essex County, Massachusetts. Homes have a median value of $746,100 against household income of $96,250; January lows average 18°F.

    6,992 people · Essex County · median home $746,100 · income $96,250 · Jan low 18°F · 50 in snow

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

20. 31Friday Harbor, Washington

    Retirement: 95th percentile · Tornadoes within 10 mi since 1950: 100th percentile

    

    Friday Harbor is a town of 2,613 people in San Juan County, Washington. Homes have a median value of $570,400 against household income of $80,378; January lows average 37°F.

    2,613 people · San Juan County · median home $570,400 · income $80,378 · Jan low 37°F · 6 in snow

    Full Friday Harbor, Washington profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

21. 30Nevada City, California

    Retirement: 95th percentile · Tornadoes within 10 mi since 1950: 100th percentile

    Nevada City is a city of 3,152 people in Nevada County, California. Homes have a median value of $677,400 against household income of $75,792; January lows average 35°F.

    3,152 people · Nevada County · median home $677,400 · income $75,792 · Jan low 35°F · 15 in snow

    Full Nevada City, California profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

22. 29Waldoboro, Maine

    Retirement: 95th percentile · Tornadoes within 10 mi since 1950: 100th percentile

    

    Waldoboro is a town of 5,154 people in Lincoln County, Maine. Homes have a median value of $274,900 against household income of $69,107; January lows average 15°F.

    5,154 people · Lincoln County · median home $274,900 · income $69,107 · Jan low 15°F · 69 in snow

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

23. 28Gardnerville, Nevada

    Retirement: 95th percentile · Tornadoes within 10 mi since 1950: 100th percentile

    Gardnerville is a community of 6,211 people in Douglas County, Nevada. Homes have a median value of $487,300 against household income of $62,267; January lows average 19°F.

    6,211 people · Douglas County · median home $487,300 · income $62,267 · Jan low 19°F · 22 in snow

    Full Gardnerville, Nevada profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

24. 27Searsport, Maine

    Retirement: 96th percentile · Tornadoes within 10 mi since 1950: 100th percentile

    Searsport is a town of 2,649 people in Waldo County, Maine. Homes have a median value of $224,400 against household income of $64,303; January lows average 10°F.

    2,649 people · Waldo County · median home $224,400 · income $64,303 · Jan low 10°F · 72 in snow

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

25. 26Madawaska, Maine

    Retirement: 96th percentile · Tornadoes within 10 mi since 1950: 100th percentile

    Madawaska is a community of 2,797 people in Aroostook County, Maine. Homes have a median value of $158,300 against household income of $55,666; January lows average 3°F.

    2,797 people · Aroostook County · median home $158,300 · income $55,666 · Jan low 3°F · 99 in snow

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

26. 25Rockport, Maine

    Retirement: 96th percentile · Tornadoes within 10 mi since 1950: 100th percentile

    

    Rockport is a town of 3,644 people in Knox County, Maine. Homes have a median value of $469,000 against household income of $86,979; January lows average 12°F.

    3,644 people · Knox County · median home $469,000 · income $86,979 · Jan low 12°F · 69 in snow

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

27. 24Montauk, New York

    Retirement: 96th percentile · Tornadoes within 10 mi since 1950: 100th percentile

    Montauk is a community of 4,318 people in Suffolk County, New York. Homes have a median value of $1,356,600 against household income of $142,961; January lows average 28°F.

    4,318 people · Suffolk County · median home $1,356,600 · income $142,961 · Jan low 28°F · 26 in snow

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

28. 23Cambria, California

    Retirement: 96th percentile · Tornadoes within 10 mi since 1950: 100th percentile

    

    Cambria is a community of 5,678 people in San Luis Obispo County, California. Homes have a median value of $930,200 against household income of $99,147; January lows average 47°F.

    5,678 people · San Luis Obispo County · median home $930,200 · income $99,147 · Jan low 47°F · 0 in snow

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

29. 22Johnson Lane, Nevada

    Retirement: 97th percentile · Tornadoes within 10 mi since 1950: 100th percentile

    Johnson Lane is a community of 6,409 people in Douglas County, Nevada. Homes have a median value of $764,100 against household income of $121,458; January lows average 24°F.

    6,409 people · Douglas County · median home $764,100 · income $121,458 · Jan low 24°F · 14 in snow

    Full Johnson Lane, Nevada profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

30. 21Shandaken, New York

    Retirement: 97th percentile · Tornadoes within 10 mi since 1950: 100th percentile

    Shandaken is a town of 2,866 people in Ulster County, New York. Homes have a median value of $346,100 against household income of $66,031; January lows average 12°F.

    2,866 people · Ulster County · median home $346,100 · income $66,031 · Jan low 12°F · 105 in snow

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

31. 20Wellfleet, Massachusetts

    Retirement: 97th percentile · Tornadoes within 10 mi since 1950: 100th percentile

    Wellfleet is a town of 3,566 people in Barnstable County, Massachusetts. Homes have a median value of $855,300 against household income of $117,938; January lows average 26°F.

    3,566 people · Barnstable County · median home $855,300 · income $117,938 · Jan low 26°F · 23 in snow

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

32. 19Randolph, Vermont

    Retirement: 97th percentile · Tornadoes within 10 mi since 1950: 100th percentile

    Randolph is a town of 4,774 people in Orange County, Vermont. Homes have a median value of $278,700 against household income of $76,758; January lows average 7°F.

    4,774 people · Orange County · median home $278,700 · income $76,758 · Jan low 7°F · 81 in snow

    Full Randolph, Vermont profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

33. 18Lake Wildwood, California

    Retirement: 97th percentile · Tornadoes within 10 mi since 1950: 100th percentile

    Lake Wildwood is a community of 5,158 people in Nevada County, California. Homes have a median value of $551,800 against household income of $85,771; January lows average 33°F.

    5,158 people · Nevada County · median home $551,800 · income $85,771 · Jan low 33°F · 0 in snow

    Full Lake Wildwood, California profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

34. 17Lucas Valley-Marinwood, California

    Retirement: 97th percentile · Tornadoes within 10 mi since 1950: 100th percentile

    Lucas Valley-Marinwood is a community of 6,259 people in Marin County, California. Homes have a median value of $1,445,600 against household income of $200,761; January lows average 43°F.

    6,259 people · Marin County · median home $1,445,600 · income $200,761 · Jan low 43°F · 0 in snow

    Full Lucas Valley-Marinwood, California profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

35. 16Ojai, California

    Retirement: 97th percentile · Tornadoes within 10 mi since 1950: 100th percentile

    Ojai is a city of 7,637 people in Ventura County, California. Homes have a median value of $1,016,200 against household income of $82,656; January lows average 35°F.

    7,637 people · Ventura County · median home $1,016,200 · income $82,656 · Jan low 35°F · 0 in snow

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

36. 15Waterbury, Vermont

    Retirement: 98th percentile · Tornadoes within 10 mi since 1950: 100th percentile

    Waterbury is a town of 5,331 people in Washington County, Vermont. Homes have a median value of $447,200 against household income of $103,917; January lows average 8°F.

    5,331 people · Washington County · median home $447,200 · income $103,917 · Jan low 8°F · 126 in snow

    Full Waterbury, Vermont profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

37. 14Stowe, Vermont

    Retirement: 98th percentile · Tornadoes within 10 mi since 1950: 100th percentile

    Stowe is a town of 5,223 people in Lamoille County, Vermont. Homes have a median value of $647,800 against household income of $93,618; January lows average 6°F.

    5,223 people · Lamoille County · median home $647,800 · income $93,618 · Jan low 6°F · 235 in snow

    Full Stowe, Vermont profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

38. 13Bar Harbor, Maine

    Retirement: 99th percentile · Tornadoes within 10 mi since 1950: 100th percentile

    Bar Harbor is a town of 5,089 people in Hancock County, Maine. Homes have a median value of $538,400 against household income of $77,180; January lows average 15°F.

    5,089 people · Hancock County · median home $538,400 · income $77,180 · Jan low 15°F

    Full Bar Harbor, Maine profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

39. 12Cayucos, California

    Retirement: 99th percentile · Tornadoes within 10 mi since 1950: 100th percentile

    Cayucos is a community of 2,505 people in San Luis Obispo County, California. Homes have a median value of $1,011,900 against household income of $87,235; January lows average 46°F.

    2,505 people · San Luis Obispo County · median home $1,011,900 · income $87,235 · Jan low 46°F · 0 in snow

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

40. 11Bristol, Maine

    Retirement: 99th percentile · Tornadoes within 10 mi since 1950: 100th percentile

    Bristol is a town of 2,834 people in Lincoln County, Maine. Homes have a median value of $406,400 against household income of $100,750; January lows average 15°F.

    2,834 people · Lincoln County · median home $406,400 · income $100,750 · Jan low 15°F · 70 in snow

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

41. 10Boothbay, Maine

    Retirement: 99th percentile · Tornadoes within 10 mi since 1950: 100th percentile

    

    Boothbay is a town of 3,003 people in Lincoln County, Maine. Homes have a median value of $342,100 against household income of $60,320; January lows average 14°F.

    3,003 people · Lincoln County · median home $342,100 · income $60,320 · Jan low 14°F · 70 in snow

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

42. 9Sisters, Oregon

    Retirement: 99th percentile · Tornadoes within 10 mi since 1950: 100th percentile

    Sisters is a city of 3,064 people in Deschutes County, Oregon. Homes have a median value of $631,100 against household income of $94,524; January lows average 21°F.

    3,064 people · Deschutes County · median home $631,100 · income $94,524 · Jan low 21°F · 26 in snow

    Full Sisters, Oregon profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

43. 8Mount Shasta, California

    Retirement: 99th percentile · Tornadoes within 10 mi since 1950: 100th percentile

    Mount Shasta is a city of 3,223 people in Siskiyou County, California. Homes have a median value of $330,200 against household income of $47,917; January lows average 27°F.

    3,223 people · Siskiyou County · median home $330,200 · income $47,917 · Jan low 27°F · 89 in snow

    Full Mount Shasta, California profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

44. 7New London, New Hampshire

    Retirement: 99th percentile · Tornadoes within 10 mi since 1950: 100th percentile

    New London is a town of 4,400 people in Merrimack County, New Hampshire. Homes have a median value of $554,100 against household income of $107,773; January lows average 13°F.

    4,400 people · Merrimack County · median home $554,100 · income $107,773 · Jan low 13°F · 85 in snow

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

45. 6Belfast, Maine

    Retirement: 100th percentile · Tornadoes within 10 mi since 1950: 100th percentile

    Belfast is a city of 6,938 people in Waldo County, Maine. Homes have a median value of $340,900 against household income of $67,679; January lows average 10°F.

    6,938 people · Waldo County · median home $340,900 · income $67,679 · Jan low 10°F · 72 in snow

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

46. 5Yountville, California

    Retirement: 100th percentile · Tornadoes within 10 mi since 1950: 100th percentile

    Yountville is a city of 3,436 people in Napa County, California. Homes have a median value of $802,200 against household income of $80,342; January lows average 38°F.

    3,436 people · Napa County · median home $802,200 · income $80,342 · Jan low 38°F · 0 in snow

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

47. 4Ketchum, Idaho

    Retirement: 100th percentile · Tornadoes within 10 mi since 1950: 100th percentile

    Ketchum is a city of 3,555 people in Blaine County, Idaho. Homes have a median value of $824,000 against household income of $93,046; January lows average 8°F.

    3,555 people · Blaine County · median home $824,000 · income $93,046 · Jan low 8°F · 102 in snow

    Full Ketchum, Idaho profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

48. 3Snowmass Village, Colorado

    Retirement: 100th percentile · Tornadoes within 10 mi since 1950: 100th percentile

    Snowmass Village is a town of 3,096 people in Pitkin County, Colorado. Homes have a median value of $1,729,900 against household income of $102,959; January lows average 9°F.

    3,096 people · Pitkin County · median home $1,729,900 · income $102,959 · Jan low 9°F · 171 in snow

    Full Snowmass Village, Colorado profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

49. 2Camden, Maine

    Retirement: 100th percentile · Tornadoes within 10 mi since 1950: 100th percentile

    Camden is a community of 3,850 people in Knox County, Maine. Homes have a median value of $498,800 against household income of $78,788; January lows average 12°F.

    3,850 people · Knox County · median home $498,800 · income $78,788 · Jan low 12°F · 69 in snow

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

50. 1Village of Oak Creek (Big Park), Arizona

    Retirement: 100th percentile · Tornadoes within 10 mi since 1950: 100th percentile

    

    Village of Oak Creek (Big Park) is a community of 6,128 people in Yavapai County, Arizona. Homes have a median value of $741,100 against household income of $80,878; January lows average 34°F.

    6,128 people · Yavapai County · median home $741,100 · income $80,878 · Jan low 34°F · 26 in snow

    Full Village of Oak Creek (Big Park), Arizona profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

Price vs ranking

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• The 50 Best Quiet, Affordable Places to Retire in America

Same ranking, other places

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• The 25 Best Small Towns to Retire in New York With the Fewest Tornadoes
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• The 25 Best Small Towns to Retire in Texas With the Fewest Tornadoes