Where is the safest and least expensive place to retire?

Asked by: Vallie Stokes  |  Last update: July 26, 2025
Score: 4.9/5 (45 votes)

Read on to explore the cities with the most affordable housing that notched highly on the U.S. News 2024 Best Places to Retire ranking.
  • Lexington, Kentucky.
  • Oklahoma City.
  • Omaha, Nebraska.
  • Montgomery, Alabama.
  • Davenport, Iowa.
  • Green Bay, Wisconsin.
  • Hickory, North Carolina.
  • Wichita, Kansas.

What is the safest and cheapest place to retire?

Lexington, Kentucky

Lexington has more to offer than just beautiful horse farms. This city is one of the best places to retire on a budget thanks to a cost of living that's about 9.5% percent lower than the national average. Grocery, utility, healthcare and housing costs are especially low here.

What state is best financially to retire to?

A: The best state to retire in 2024 is sunny Florida, thanks to its relative affordability and high quality of life for seniors. That's followed by Colorado, Virginia, and Delaware. Q: What state has the lowest cost of living for retirees? A: Alabama ranks as the most affordable state to retire in.

Where in the world can I retire on $2000 a month?

Costa Rica

Once settled, most retiree couples can live well within the country for as little as $2,000 per month.

Where is the cheapest place to live on social security?

You can also find out which states won't tax Social Security in 2025.
  • Mayville, North Dakota. ...
  • Willowick, Ohio. ...
  • Corydon, Iowa. ...
  • Fergus Falls, Minnesota. ...
  • Genoa, Ohio. ...
  • Ada, Ohio. Population % ages 65 and over: 9.9% ...
  • Youngstown, Ohio. Population % ages 65 and over: 17.8% ...
  • Akron, Ohio. Population % ages 65 and over: 15.5%

Cheapest countries to retire (for $1000/mo or less)

21 related questions found

Where can I retire on $500 a month?

Thailand. Is it possible to retire in Thailand and keep the costs in check? Certainly! It's another top choice for digital nomads with an achievable $500 monthly budget, focusing on affordable accommodation.

What states do not tax Social Security and retirement income?

There are currently seven states in which individual income is not subject to tax: Alaska, Florida, Nevada, South Dakota, Texas, Washington and Wyoming. In two other states — New Hampshire and Tennessee — only dividends and interest are subject to state taxes.

Where is the best place for poor seniors to live?

Can you retire to a place that's both affordable and fun? We found out.
  • Decatur, Alabama. Cost of living for retirees: 11.0% below U.S. average. ...
  • Prescott, Arizona. ...
  • Hot Springs, Arkansas. ...
  • Grand Junction, Colorado. ...
  • Punta Gorda, Florida. ...
  • Sandy Springs, Georgia. ...
  • Boise, Idaho. ...
  • Bloomington, Indiana.

Where in the world can I live comfortably on $1000 a month?

Retiring abroad on $1,000 per month doesn't mean sacrificing quality of life. Many countries offer excellent health care, infrastructure and amenities at a fraction of the cost compared to the U.S. The cheapest places to retire abroad include Panama, the Philippines, Portugal, Malaysia, Mexico, Thailand and Vietnam.

What is the safest country for an American to retire in?

More than 700,000 Americans already receive their Social Security from outside the USA. For those who wish to retire to safe havens that offer cheap living expenses, some of the cheapest and safest countries to retire to include Indonesia, Ghana, Romania, North Macedonia, and Vietnam.

Where do the happiest seniors live?

Top 20 Happiest Cities to Retire
  1. Barnstable, MA. Coming in at the top of the happiest cities to retire in the U.S. list is Barnstable. ...
  2. Naples, FL. Those who want to live by the water and enjoy warmer weather can head south to Naples. ...
  3. Ann Arbor, MI. ...
  4. Durham, NC. ...
  5. Boulder, CO. ...
  6. North Port, FL. ...
  7. Olympia, WA. ...
  8. San Jose, CA.

What states have no property tax for seniors?

The following states offer partial exemption on property taxes for seniors and people over 65.
  • Hawaii. In Hawaii, if you're 65 or older, you could knock $160,000 off your home's assessed value, reducing your property tax liability. ...
  • Louisiana. ...
  • Alaska. ...
  • New York. ...
  • Washington. ...
  • Mississippi. ...
  • Florida. ...
  • South Dakota.

Where is the cheapest place to retire with good healthcare?

Wisconsin, New Hampshire, and Tennessee are all highly ranked retirement destinations for health care needs due to low or no income taxes, access to quality health care facilities, and access to nature and recreational activities.

What state is best for low-income seniors?

What state is the best financially to retire in? A 2022 Kiplinger analysis ranked the most tax-friendly places in the country for retirement: Alaska, Florida, Iowa, Mississippi, Nevada, Pennsylvania, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, and Wyoming.

Where is the most affordable and safe place to live?

10 of the cheapest and safest places to live in the world
  • Albania.
  • Portugal.
  • Costa Rica.
  • Panama.
  • Mexico.
  • Thailand.
  • Malaysia.
  • Vietnam.

Where is the safest place for seniors to live in the US?

Retire in One of the Safest Cities to Live in the U.S.
  • San Rafael, California, M.S.A. ...
  • Safe large cities. ...
  • Plano, Texas. ...
  • Portland-South Portland, Maine. ...
  • Provo-Orem, Utah. ...
  • Worcester, Massachusetts. ...
  • Environmental factors to consider for safe cities. ...
  • Working with a trusted banking partner.

Where can I live in $800 a month in the US?

10 Big City ZIP Codes Where You Can Rent For Under $800
  1. Columbus, OH (43227)
  2. Indianapolis, IN (46254) ...
  3. Houston, TX (77034) ...
  4. Indianapolis, IN (46227) ...
  5. Indianapolis, IN (46229) ...
  6. El Paso, TX (79930) ...
  7. Houston, TX (77099) ...
  8. Fort Worth, TX (76133) ...

What is the easiest country to retire to from the USA?

Countries like Costa Rica, Panama, Ecuador, and Belize are frequently cited for their affordable cost of living and pleasant climates. Known for the “pura vida” lifestyle, Costa Rica provides a stable and friendly environment. Panama stands out for its pensionado visa offering discounts to retirees.

Where can I retire on $1-200 a month?

Here are the 15 best East Coast cities to retire on a budget of $1,200 a month:
  • Blacksburg, Virginia. Cost of Living Index: 89.6. ...
  • Rochester, New York. Cost of Living Index: 88.6. ...
  • Clemson, South Carolina. ...
  • Hampton, Virginia. ...
  • Anderson, South Carolina. ...
  • Athens, Georgia. ...
  • Columbia, South Carolina. ...
  • Jacksonville, North Carolina.

What happens to senior citizens when they run out of money?

Elderly individuals who are unable to turn to family for financial support and have no money can become a ward of the state. This may be the case if the senior develops a health emergency and is no longer able to live alone.

What state is best for seniors on social security?

9 Best States to Retire
  • Delaware. Delaware offers a comfortable environment for retirees, boasting a moderate climate that experiences all four seasons without any extremes. ...
  • Georgia. Georgia is a compelling choice for retirees seeking a diverse and enriching lifestyle. ...
  • Maryland. ...
  • New Jersey. ...
  • Pennsylvania. ...
  • South Carolina.

What is the most affordable country to retire in?

The Cheapest Countries Where You Can Retire Well
  • Spain. ...
  • Costa Rica. ...
  • Panama. Cost of Living Index: 48.25. ...
  • Czechia (The Czech Republic) Cost of Living Index: 44.33. ...
  • Peru. Cost of Living Index: 30.74. ...
  • Slovenia. Cost of Living Index: 47.30. ...
  • Austria. Cost of Living Index: 64.11. ...
  • Australia. Cost of Living Index: 72.27.

What state do most retirees move to?

Top Inbound Retirement States
  • Florida (39%)
  • South Carolina (37%)
  • Arizona (36%)
  • Delaware (34%)
  • Idaho (29%)
  • Nevada (29%)
  • Wyoming (28%)
  • Mississippi (28%)

Which states have no property tax on homes?

Sadly for investors, the answer is no, there are no states without property tax. This is because property tax is a useful way for local governments to fund public services such as schools, fire and police departments, infrastructure and libraries.

At what age is 401k withdrawal tax free?

As a general rule, if you withdraw funds before age 59 ½, you'll trigger an IRS tax penalty of 10%. The good news is that there's a way to take your distributions a few years early without incurring this penalty. This is known as the rule of 55.