Happiest Places to Retire in the US in 2024: A SoFi Study (2024)

January 08, 2024 · 17 minute read

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Where you live can play a major role in how enjoyable your retirement is. So, where do the happiest retirees reside? To determine which cities in the U.S. are the happiest places to retire, we studied the 200 largest metropolitan statistical areas (MSAs) using the latest U.S. Census Bureau population estimates, and consulted multiple sources, including the Sharecare Community Well-Being Index, Tax Foundation, Walk Score, Sperling’s Best Places, and County Health Rankings & Roadmaps.

By identifying key elements that contribute to happiness — social networks, financials, and health — and examining 13 pivotal rankings within them, such as community, cost of living, and healthcare access, we created the Happiest Places to Retire in the U.S. in 2024. Read on to learn about the 20 best places to retire in the U.S. to help you explore your options for where to live in retirement.

Key Findings on Retirees’ Favorite Cities

• Barnstable, MA is the happiest city to retire to, ranking #1 of all 200 cities we analyzed. It has the highest ranking overall for community well-being, and one of the highest percentages of residents who are 65-plus. The other cities at the top of the list: Naples, FL at #2, and Ann Arbor, MI at #3.

• Colorado has the highest number of happiest cities for retirees on our top 20 list, beating out Florida. Boulder, CO is the #5 happiest city for retirees, and Fort Collins and Denver also made the list.

• Colder climates are now attracting retirees. Three of our top 5 cities for retirement (Barnstable, MA; Ann Arbor, MI; and Boulder, CO) have average high winter temperatures in the 30s or 40s.

• Naples, FL residents live the longest. The city has the highest average life expectancy (86.1 years) of all 200 cities we analyzed.

• Ann Arbor, MI, has the lowest tax burden for retirees on our top 20 list, followed by Myrtle Beach and Charleston in South Carolina. Meanwhile, Akron, OH has the lowest cost of living of the top 20 cities for retirees, 80.8% of the U.S. average.

Top 20 Happiest Cities to Retire

Looking for information on the happiest places to live after retirement? Whether you dream of an ocean breeze or mountain views, you have plenty of cities to consider.

The top 20 happiest cities for retirees offer a broad range of activities, amenities, and resources. They’re also located all across the nation, as shown in this map of the top 10, so you can find a place in the part of the country you’d most like to live in.

1. Barnstable, MA

Coming in at the top of the happiest cities to retire in the U.S. list is Barnstable. Located on Cape Cod, its beachside beauty attracts retirees, making it one of the top three cities for residents 65 and up. While living here can be expensive (the median household income is $91,438) and there’s less access to healthcare than the other top contenders have, residents enjoy a high level of social interaction and plenty of entertainment and activities.

2. Naples, FL

Those who want to live by the water and enjoy warmer weather can head south to Naples. The cost of living in this city is fairly reasonable, and there’s no state personal income tax, which means your retirement savings can go a lot further. Naples also has the highest life expectancy (age 86.1) of all 200 cities we analyzed.

3. Ann Arbor, MI

Want to enjoy city life without the high prices? Ann Arbor, a college town, has plenty of big city amenities at an affordable price point. Another draw for retirees: Ann Arbor residents enjoy the highest level of healthcare access of the cities on our list, and ranks #1 for health overall.

4. Durham, NC

Friendship and social interaction are important in retirement. Durham, one of the top cities to retire in the U.S., offers a strong sense of community and social well-being, according to the data. Residents will find plentiful healthcare in Durham as well. It ranks #2 out of the top 20 for healthcare access.

5. Boulder, CO

If you like to hit the slopes, Boulder may be the ideal location for your retirement years. The city is #3 on the top 20 list for housing and transportation, so you should be able to find the right place to live and get around easily.

6. North Port, FL

North Port is the second Florida city to make the top 20 list of the happiest places to live in the U.S. Community and social connection is high here, and there’s a sizable population of those aged 65 and up, making it easier to meet new friends. It also has one of the lowest tax burdens among the top 20 cities.

7. Olympia, WA

Retirees who want to live affordably on the west coast can check out scenic Olympia, WA. It ranks as #1 in the financial category, which takes into account factors such as cost of living and household income. It’s also one of the best states to retire in for taxes, which can help retirees stretch their savings. Olympia has the lowest number of residents living below the poverty level of all 200 cities we analyzed.

8. San Jose, CA

Retirees in San Jose enjoy the second-highest average life expectancy (after Naples, FL) of the 200 cities we studied, making it one of the top places for a long and healthy retirement. But there’s a tradeoff: The cost of living in San Jose is extremely high: a whopping 231% of the U.S. average.

9. San Luis Obispo, CA

If being in a comfortable environment is one of your top retirement priorities, look no further than San Luis Obispo. Along with San Jose, the city scored the highest level of comfort for retirees on our top 20 cities list, thanks to its temperate weather.

10. Madison, WI

A low average cost of living plus a high median household income ($83,214) make Madison not only one of the happiest places to live in retirement, but also one of the most affordable. In this relatively walkable city, you can save on transportation costs and live a healthier lifestyle.

Recommended: Average Retirement Savings By State

11. Honolulu, HI

Honolulu combines great weather, pristine beaches, and big city living. It gets high scores for comfortable weather and transportation. And Honolulu has some of the highest scores for social factors and community. Retiring in paradise comes at a price, however — namely, the city’s high cost of living (171.5% of the U.S. average).

12. Salisbury, MD

Salisbury, in the Eastern Shore area of Maryland, is a popular place for retirees. More than a quarter of the population is 65 and over, which means you should have plenty of peers to socialize and do activities with.

13. Washington, DC

If you’re interested in history and culture, Washington D.C. might be a good fit. And many of the city’s major attractions are free of charge. The nation’s capital is also the most walkable city on our top 20 list of the happiest places to live after retirement, so you’ll save on transportation as you get your steps in.

14. Portland, ME

In this city on the coast, you can enjoy all that the ocean has to offer plus metropolitan amenities. Portland ranks as one of the best cities to retire in when it comes to community, and it also has abundant options for art, recreation, and entertainment, which can help you stay happily busy in retirement.

15. Myrtle Beach, SC

Retirees settle down in this popular travel destination to take advantage of the reasonable cost of living and low tax burden. They also love the miles of beaches, plentiful golf courses, and comfortable weather. Myrtle Beach has the 4th highest population of people age 65-plus.

16. Harrisburg, PA

The capital city of Pennsylvania is an affordable place to retire. It has a low cost of living, which means the city’s average median income of $73,739 can go farther. Fewer people live below the poverty line here than in many other cities. Retirees can be active here as well: Harrisburg ranks as #2 of our top cities when it comes to walkability.

17. Fort Collins, CO

If you love the great outdoors, this city, located at the foot of the Rocky Mountains, has a lot to offer. All those outside adventures come with some nice health perks: Fort Collins has one of the higher life expectancies of our 20 top cities for retirees.

18. Denver, CO

Where is the happiest place to retire? It might just be the state of Colorado. Denver is the third Colorado city to make the top 20 list of happy places for retirees to live. Denver has a high level of community and social well-being, which could make retirement a lot more fulfilling. It’s very walkable, too, coming in at #5 out of the top 20 in the walking category.

19. Akron, OH

With the lowest cost of living (80.8% of the U.S. average) of the 20 best cities, Akron offers retirees affordability plus many opportunities for social and community connection. That can make it easier to make new friends in retirement.

20. Charleston, SC

A vibrant cultural scene, great food, ocean access, and lovely architecture make Charleston one of the best places to retire in 2024. Charleston ranks #2 for art, recreation, and entertainment out of the 200 cities studied, following only Los Angeles, so you’ll find plenty to do here in your golden years. And the tax burden is one of the lowest on our 20 happiest cities list.

Best Places to Retire for a Happy Retirement

Want to consider some of the different places that could make for a very happy retirement? The map below shows the top five cities out of the 200 analyzed in each of the three key categories that contribute to happiness: social, financial, and health.

200 Cities Studied for Happiest Places to Retire

Reviewing the full list of 200 cities studied for the Happiest Places to Retire can reveal additional great options for retirement. For example, following Naples, FL, the next three cities with the highest life expectancy — San Jose, CA, San Francisco, CA, and New York, NY — are all bustling, well-populated cities that also rank highly for community and social factors. Take a look at what cities across the U.S. have to offer.

Overall Rank	City	Total Score	Social rank	Financial Rank	Health Rank
1	Barnstable, MA	62.05	1	6	120
2	Naples, FL	61.43	2	18	32
3	Ann Arbor, MI	61.40	64	14	1
4	Durham, NC	57.56	57	13	2
5	Boulder, CO	56.95	21	16	13
6	North Port, FL	56.77	4	37	129
7	Olympia, WA	56.46	32	1	88
8	San Jose, CA	55.52	5	113	7
9	San Luis Obispo, CA	55.18	9	11	41
10	Madison, WI	55.13	84	5	11
11	Honolulu, HI	54.82	7	71	12
12	Salisbury, MD	54.70	11	3	177
13	Washington DC	54.33	23	17	19
14	Portland, ME	53.86	17	35	22
15	Myrtle Beach, SC	53.66	8	20	181
16	Harrisburg, PA	52.39	50	24	24
17	Fort Collins, CO	52.11	34	19	80
18	Denver, CO	52.03	86	9	33
19	Akron, OH	51.64	55	10	69
20	Charleston, SC	51.62	37	55	30
21	Manchester, NH	51.49	47	22	58
22	Seattle, WA	51.44	19	101	15
23	Minneapolis, MN	51.22	48	26	28
24	Richmond, VA	50.56	24	46	40
25	Bridgeport, CT	50.52	25	83	8
26	Daphne, AL	50.50	31	12	171
27	Des Moines, IA	50.49	106	2	158
28	San Francisco, CA	50.42	6	172	4
29	Santa Rosa, CA	50.11	14	81	43
30	Raleigh, NC	50.08	45	42	56
31	Prescott Valley, AZ	49.92	3	118	193
32	Oxnard, CA	49.38	16	78	49
33	Asheville, NC	49.35	10	125	57
34	Bremerton, WA	49.22	22	52	108
35	Boston, MA	49.18	33	139	6
36	Colorado Springs, CO	49.18	95	7	141
37	Pittsburgh, PA	49.14	35	82	47
38	Portland, OR	49.03	58	96	14
39	Hartford, CT	49.02	62	36	16
40	Omaha, NE	49.00	87	25	37
41	St. Louis, MO	48.88	56	73	36
42	Lancaster, PA	48.80	46	48	74
43	Chattanooga, TN	48.79	43	53	122
44	Appleton, WI	48.78	41	30	128
45	Sioux Falls, SD	48.48	92	34	83
46	Salt Lake City, UT	48.42	125	23	25
47	Charlotte, NC	48.40	38	61	90
48	Allentown, PA	48.35	52	43	42
49	Crestview, FL	47.95	61	15	183
50	Cape Coral, FL	47.88	13	119	110
51	New Haven, CT	47.81	73	65	9
52	Austin, TX	47.76	123	40	48
53	San Diego, CA	47.73	27	103	29
54	Peoria, IL	47.60	66	27	91
55	Tucson, AZ	47.56	69	59	67
56	Green Bay, WI	47.33	80	33	92
57	Lexington, KY	47.28	94	79	31
58	Deltonah, FL	47.24	18	58	198
59	Reno, NV	47.08	44	67	117
60	Tyler, TX	47.07	127	28	99
61	Ogden, UT	47.07	101	8	160
62	Santa Cruz, CA	46.99	12	147	27
63	Atlanta, GA	46.97	54	100	60
64	York, PA	46.96	53	49	112
65	Palm Baye, FL	46.89	20	84	182
66	Boise City, ID	46.89	96	32	98
67	Grand Rapids, MI	46.89	140	39	55
68	Cincinnati, OH	46.77	71	74	63
69	Wilmington, NC	46.53	40	105	79
70	Canton, OH	46.52	100	29	131
71	Fargo, ND	46.49	154	21	71
72	Savannah, GA	46.37	107	63	59
73	Provo, UT	46.20	135	4	175
74	Norwich, CT	46.08	49	31	115
75	Roanoke, VA	46.05	28	123	46
76	Baltimore, MD	45.92	29	120	68
77	Philadelphia, PA	45.91	63	109	44
78	Nashville, TN	45.89	99	68	105
79	Anchorage, AK	45.87	136	87	86
80	Indianapolis, IN	45.73	119	44	95
81	Sacramento, CA	45.72	42	98	50
82	Trenton, NJ	45.67	70	110	18
83	Lincoln, NE	45.63	103	38	93
84	Port St. Lucie, FL	45.51	15	126	173
85	Albany, NY	45.48	60	62	38
86	Vallejo, CA	45.16	36	97	89
87	Louisville, KY	45.03	117	47	106
88	Worcester, MA	44.90	82	94	51
89	Virginia Beach, VA	44.90	83	70	64
90	Huntsville, AL	44.81	77	60	142
91	Chicago, IL	44.70	79	107	26
92	Kalamazoo, MI	44.57	149	64	70
93	Poughkeepsie, NY	44.47	90	54	45
94	Spokane, WA	44.35	113	51	111
95	Eugene, OR	44.29	68	108	81
96	Columbia, SC	44.22	105	91	104
97	Kansas City, MO	44.13	75	88	103
98	Phoenix, AZ	43.94	89	104	85
99	Jacksonville, FL	43.71	67	102	152
100	Salinas, CA	43.70	85	86	66
101	Little Rock, AR	43.63	144	80	61
102	Dallas, TX	43.55	130	90	97
103	Cleveland, OH	43.47	139	142	10
104	Greenville, SC	43.41	118	106	75
105	Lansing, MI	43.35	150	56	125
106	Rochester, NY	43.26	114	93	20
107	Cedar Rapids, IA	43.25	104	50	161
108	Winston, NC	43.23	91	116	73
109	Greeley, CO	43.15	141	41	162
110	Detroit, MI	43.15	72	122	116
111	Reading, PA	42.88	76	117	87
112	Fort Wayne, IN	42.52	152	45	168
113	Dayton, OH	42.43	111	95	127
114	Davenport, IA	42.37	110	77	139
115	Atlantic City, NJ	42.26	39	131	100
116	Fayetteville, AR	42.17	122	75	151
117	Santa Maria, CA	42.11	59	134	53
118	Evansville, IN	41.59	161	57	144
119	Knoxville, TN	41.58	74	138	149
120	Oklahoma City, OK	41.21	148	89	150
121	Milwaukee, WI	41.18	98	141	54
122	South Bend, IN	41.14	145	85	167
123	Hagerstown, MD	40.26	81	112	179
124	Columbus, OH	40.23	166	72	137
125	Ocala, FL	40.11	26	153	199
126	Birmingham, AL	39.94	65	159	107
127	Montgomery, AL	39.91	134	92	189
128	Rockford, IL	39.80	143	76	157
129	Pensacola, FL	39.44	133	121	153
130	New York, NY	39.32	51	184	5
131	Syracuse, NY	39.27	137	124	35
132	Killeen, TX	39.26	186	69	114
133	Lynchburg, VA	39.22	155	66	174
134	Buffalo, NY	38.98	128	128	39
135	Wichita, KS	38.67	97	135	163
136	Tallahassee, FL	38.65	147	132	134
137	Providence, RI	38.62	112	167	34
138	Los Angeles, CA	38.60	30	187	23
139	Kennewick, WA	38.45	151	127	123
140	Flint, MI	38.34	171	111	156
141	Orlando, FL	38.33	153	155	72
142	Tulsa, OK	38.31	174	99	169
143	Las Vegas, NV	38.31	121	146	135
144	Salem, OR	38.25	138	130	133
145	Duluth, MN	38.21	116	136	126
146	Erie, PA	37.91	126	137	154
147	Springfield, MA	37.88	115	162	62
148	Hickory, NC	37.71	93	140	194
149	Tampa, FL	37.66	102	174	77
150	Albuquerque, NM	37.59	146	157	65
151	Gainesville, FL	37.58	178	182	3
152	Huntington, WV	37.41	88	161	159
153	Toledo, OH	37.11	168	144	82
154	Scranton, PA	37.05	109	156	143
155	Jackson, MS	36.89	175	148	76
156	Amarillo, TX	36.78	142	149	176
157	Kingsport, TN	36.67	158	133	190
158	Springfield, MO	36.65	164	129	165
159	Youngstown, OH	36.63	78	158	188
160	Houston, TX	35.66	179	164	52
161	Binghamton, NY	35.66	162	114	124
162	Charleston, WV	34.97	132	168	138
163	San Antonio, TX	34.88	184	152	94
164	Waco, TX	34.80	176	143	170
165	Greensboro, NC	34.68	108	175	148
166	Augusta, GA	34.56	120	176	145
167	New Orleans, LA	34.48	172	181	21
168	Utica, NY	34.17	167	115	155
169	Memphis, TN	34.17	182	160	130
170	Lubbock, TX	33.95	183	166	84
171	Lakeland, FL	33.94	124	173	178
172	Stockton, CA	33.82	156	154	146
173	Riverside, CA	33.53	129	169	121
174	Macon, GA	33.03	163	180	101
175	Spartanburg, SC	32.77	131	177	185
176	Longview, TX	31.85	185	150	191
177	Miami, FL	31.74	157	192	17
178	Baton Rouge, LA	31.69	181	170	136
179	College Station, TX	30.49	193	165	96
180	Tuscaloosa, AL	30.35	165	179	180
181	Clarksville, TN	30.17	189	145	200
182	Mobile, AL	29.95	170	185	113
183	Shreveport, LA	29.22	177	191	78
184	Fayetteville, NC	28.42	187	171	184
185	Fort Smith, AR	27.72	159	186	196
186	Beaumont, TX	27.36	197	151	195
187	Gulfport, MS	27.33	173	183	197
188	Fresno, CA	26.58	188	178	119
189	Corpus Christi, TX	26.09	192	189	102
190	Modesto, CA	26.05	169	190	147
191	Visalia, CA	25.28	196	163	166
192	Columbus, GA	24.08	160	193	192
193	Lafayette, LA	23.64	180	196	109
194	Bakersfield, CA	21.84	190	188	186
195	Merced, CA	18.10	191	194	187
196	Yakima, WA	17.32	195	195	164
197	El Paso, TX	8.56	194	198	118
198	McAllen, TX	3.30	200	197	132
199	Brownsville, TX	2.10	198	199	140
200	Laredo, TX	-3.32	199	200	172

Tips for a Happy Retirement

You’ve worked hard, now it’s time to enjoy yourself! These smart strategies can help you find happiness in retirement.

• Create a budget. You may have fewer expenses when you’re retired, but you’ll still need a roadmap for managing them. This is where retirement planning and a budget come in handy. If you are already retired, create a budget that works well for your retirement income. If retirement is still in the future, map out a plan to see how much you’ll need to save to be properly prepared.

• Keep tabs on your retirement savings. Don’t forget to check on your retirement savings regularly to ensure that you’re on track financially. And, of course, make sure you have retirement savings accounts like a 401(k) or a traditional or Roth IRA to help you reach your goal.

Don’t yet have a retirement account? Learn how to open an IRA account.

• Prioritize health and wellness. To be at your best, strongest, and happiest in retirement, prioritize your physical and mental health with regular exercise, a balanced diet, and lots of social interaction.

• Pursue your passions. Don’t let retirement slow you down. You can pursue your favorite hobbies, work on fulfilling and meeting your top ambitions and challenges, and do the activities you’ve always wanted to try now that you have the time and freedom for them. When choosing among the best retirement cities, be sure to look for places that cater to your interests.

Methodology

To find the happiest cities for people to retire in the U.S., we looked at the 200 largest metropolitan statistical areas (MSAs) based on the U.S. Census Bureau’s 2022 population estimates for 13 ranking factors across three categories (Social, Finance, and Health).

We graded each factor on a 100-point scale, where 100 was the highest possible score. Each factor was weighted differently.

Socioeconomic Score Factors

• Community well-being

• Social well-being

• Comfort index*

• Percentage of population age 65 and over

• Percentage of art, recreation, and entertainment businesses

Financial Score Factors

• Housing & transportation

• Cost of living index*

• Median household income

• Percentage of people aged 65 and over living below poverty level

• Tax burden**

Health Score Factors

• Healthcare access

• Life expectancy

• Walk Score*

*Data represents city proper data (excluding surrounding metro).
**Data represents state level data.

Sources: U.S Census Bureau, Sharecare Community Well-Being Index, Walk Score, Tax Foundation, County Health Rankings & Roadmaps, Sperling’s Best Places.

The Takeaway

When you’re ready to retire, choosing where to settle down is a big and important decision. Exploring our list of top 20 happiest places is a great place to start. You can look for cities that offer affordability, good access to healthcare, entertainment and cultural activities, and opportunities for making social and community connections.

And to ensure that your retirement is as happy and stress-free as possible, you’ll want to have your retirement savings in order. Contributing to your 401(k) or IRA can help you build the retirement nest egg you’ll need.

Ready to invest in your goals? It’s easy to get started when you open an investment account with SoFi Invest. You can invest in stocks, exchange-traded funds (ETFs), mutual funds, alternative funds, and more. SoFi doesn’t charge commissions, but other fees apply (full fee disclosure here).

Invest with as little as $5 with a SoFi Active Investing account.

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Financial Tips & Strategies: The tips provided on this website are of a general nature and do not take into account your specific objectives, financial situation, and needs. You should always consider their appropriateness given your own circ*mstances.

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