- Annual cost of living comfortably: $154,773
- Percentage of population over 65: 23.8%
- Livability Score: 70
- Average home price: $764,770
- Average monthly mortgage: $4,409
Photo Disclaimer: Please note that photos are for representational purposes only. As a result, some photos may not reflect the exact locations listed in this article.
Methodology: For this study, GOBankingRates analyzed retirement cities across the United States to find the best places for the upper middle class. Retirement towns are places where the percentage of the population aged 65 and over is higher than the national average, which is currently 16.8%. The middle class is defined by the Pew Research Center as two-thirds to double the median household income ($51,813 to $155,438). To find the upper-middle class, the middle-class income range is divided into thirds, with the upper third being the upper-middle class ($120,896 to $155,438). Cost of living indices for each location were obtained from Sperling’s BestPlaces, with cities identified using data from the US Census American Community Survey. Average expenditure costs for each location were calculated using the national average expenditure costs for retirees as well as the cost of living index, obtained from the Bureau of Labor Statistics Consumer Expenditures Survey for Retirees. Median home value was obtained from the Zillow Home Value Index. The average mortgage cost for each location was calculated, assuming a 10% down payment and using the national average 30-year fixed mortgage rate of 6.63% obtained from Federal Reserve economic data as of August 13. Using average mortgage and expense costs, the total cost of living was calculated. Using the 50/30/20 finance rule, which states that necessities should not exceed 50% of household income, the total cost of living was doubled for necessities to find a comfortable cost of living. Places with a comfortable cost of living within the upper-middle class income range were placed. The Livability Index was obtained from AreaVibes and was used to determine overall quality of life. Using the remaining retirement towns, the percentage of the population aged 65 and over was scored and weighted at 0.5, the total cost of living for necessities was scored and weighted at 1, and the livability index was scored and weighted at 1.5. All the scores were summed up and ranked to find the best retirement cities for the upper-middle class. All data was collected on August 13, 2025 and is up to date.