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Retirement costs – especially health care and housing – continue to rise across the US, making it even more important to consider where a person chooses to retire.
There are currently nine states (Arkansas, Florida, Nevada, New Hampshire, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Washington, and Wyoming) in which a retiree’s Social Security benefits are not taxed, giving residents there a meaningful advantage in their golden years.
Within those nine states, the cities below allow retirees to combine the state’s tax benefits with each metro’s relatively affordable housing.
Punta Gorda, Florida
This quiet Florida town offers beautiful canals, boating activities and other amenities for retirees realtor.comMedian home prices around $380,000.
Sioux Falls, South Dakota
according to this official websiteIt is the largest city in South Dakota and boasts steady population growth as well as excellent health care access – which helps support housing demands.
Spearfish, South Dakota
This quiet town has beautiful national parks with countless hiking trails, making it an ideal retirement town for the outdoorsy lover.
Columbia, Tennessee
Less than an hour outside of Nashville, Colombia A blend of affordability with easy access to a major metro culture and economy.
knoxville, tennessee
The median home value of $360,000 in a university town makes Knoxville a vibrant, vibrant city for culturally engaged retirees.
Galveston, Texas
Tourism-driven economy, coastal life and historic attractions create galveston An ideal retirement city for comfortable senior citizens.
San Antonio
Known for its scenic river walk and lower cost of living than the average for a major American city, San Antonio Combines big city living with small town charm.
Wenatchee, Washington
With homes costing only around $300,000, lush natural beauty and a comfortable pace, Wenatchee A retirement haven for those seeking a quiet life.
Sequim, Washington
Unlike most of Washington state, Sequim is characterized by sunny weather and lavender fields. Plus, the median home price is only $280,000.
Carson City, Nevada
capital city Nevada offers residents close proximity to Lake Tahoe and a lower cost of living than nearby resort towns.
Portsmouth, New Hampshire
Portsmouth is a historic port with great walkability, unique shops, and small homes in the $300,000 range.
Rapid City, South Dakota
With median home values in the mid-$300,000s, plenty of outdoor activities, and close proximity to Mount Rushmore, Rapid City is a great retirement location for active retirees.
Fort Myers, Florida
For retirees who love to play golf or lounge on the beach and want to spend around $300,000 on a home, Fort Myers, Florida is a great place to spend their golden years.
El Paso, Texas
El Paso offers extremely affordable living (median home value near $220,000), as well as big-city culture surrounded by pastoral desert landscapes.
Manchester, New Hampshire
In Manchester, retirees can find affordable housing for about $300,000, with a view of the beautiful mountains outside the window.
Editor’s note: All housing costs were obtained from Zillow.