25 Cities in the U.S. That Are Becoming a Retiree Hot Spot

Gone are the days when retirees could sell their homes “up north,” light off to Florida, and live happily ever after in the sand, beaches, and Early Bird specials at Denny’s. Climate change, rising insurance costs, and overcrowding in once-popular cities have forced Boomers — and other future retirees — to consider other states, and cities, as alternatives.

Fortunately, the Fifty Nifty United States has no shortage of retiree hot spots for aging folks to consider. Here are 25 cities that are quickly gaining steam as viable alternatives to Boca Raton (or Sanibel Island, if you’re fancy).

1. Peachtree City, GA

The largest city in Fayette County, Georgia, is also one of the hottest retirement hotspots in the United States. With homes in the mid-$500K range, per Zillow, it is also one of the most affordable.

In February 2024, Fayette County News blared the news that their beloved town was one of the most popular retiree hot spots in the nation, with about 35 percent of the population aged 45 and older.

2. Goodyear, AZ

Goodyear, AZ, is considered the fastest-growing retirement hotspot. According to CNBC, 18 percent of the population is aged 65 and older, and there was a whopping 61 percent increase in the retirement population over the past five years.

Homes in Goodyear, AZ, also run in the mid-$500K range, per Zillow, though new constructions jump into the $600K range.

3. Myrtle Beach, SC

Myrtle Beach isn’t just a popular college spring break hotspot: it’s also a popular city for Grandma and Grandpa to spend their golden years. 26 percent of Horry County residents — which encompasses Myrtle Beach, Conway, and North Myrtle Beach — are over the age of 65, compared to 17 percent of the United States as a whole.

The price of homes in Myrtle Beach, however, vary from location to location. While there are certainly plenty of homes in the mid-$500K range, the price jumps drastically as you get closer to the beach.

4. Sugar Land, TX

The Houston Chronicle notes that Sugar Land, TX, is considered one of the best places in the country for retirees to enjoy the fruits of their labor. 16.5 percent of the population is aged 65 and older, so the elders won’t have a problem finding a pinochle partner or two.

Homes in Sugar Land, TX, average in the mid-$500Ks in price, as well.

5. Olympia, WA

Retirees who want to enjoy a more active, cultured lifestyle than the one found in the American South will love Olympia, WA, which is nestled in the heart of the Pacific Northwest. Although only about 25 percent of the population are retirees, the healthcare options are second-to-none, per Village Green Retirement.

Though you’ll spend a little more to purchase a home in Olympia, WA — as homes are in the mid-$600K range — the residents say it’s worth every penny.

6. El Dorado Hills, CA

Not every place in California is as expensive as Los Angeles and San Francisco. For those who are looking for a more affordable, retirement-friendly way of life, El Dorado Hills — located about 35 minutes north of Sacramento — offers the perfect alternative. The Mountain Democrat notes that the town is one of the best places to get the most out of your social security check, with the average cost of living coming in at around $21,000/year and the average social security check coming in at around $19,000/year.

The homes in El Dorado Hills, CA, run from the mid-$600Ks to the mid-$700Ks.

7. Coeur D’Alene, ID

For midwesterners who aren’t looking to leave the comfort of their familiar environment, Coeur D’Alene, ID, is a perfect alternative to Florida. Approximately 15 percent of the population are aged 65 or older, according to SeniorCare.com.

Like most of the other cities on this list, the homes in Coeur D’Alene, ID, have an average price in the mid-$500Ks.

8. Gallatin, TN

Far from the hustle and bustle of Memphis, Gallatin TN is one of the nicest places for retirees to call home. In 2022, the city partnered with AARP to get a better understanding of the needs of its seniors. As a result of its responsiveness to its elders’ needs, Boomers flocked to live there, and about 14 percent of the population there are aged 65 and older.

The price of homes in Gallatin, TN, start in the high $400Ks and go as high as the low $600Ks.

9. Rio Rancho, NM

Located just outside of Albuquerque in the High North Desert of New Mexico, Rio Rancho is one of the most desirable retiree hot spots. According to the city’s official website, Rio Rancho is the third-largest city in New Mexico, the fastest-growing city in the state, and one of the fastest-growing cities in the Southwest.

Homes in the area range from the mid-$500Ks to the mid-$600Ks.

10. Longmont, CO

A whopping 17.5 percent of the population of Longmont, CO — located just about an hour north of Denver — is over the age of 65, making the quaint Colorado town a retirement hotspot.

The homes in Longmont, CO, are also more affordable than in the city of Denver, with the average home going for about $575K.

11. Grove City, OH

Although the median age in Grove City, OH, is 35 years old, 11 percent of the town’s total population fall squarely into the Boomer category. However, according to Data USA, the population is steadily decreasing in the town, which could be advantageous to potential home buyers.

Considering that a potential buyer can get a home for about $330K, perhaps the population decline isn’t such a bad thing after all.

12. Mesquite, NV

A recent study released by Movoto revealed that about 16.6 percent of the population of Mesquite, NV, is over the age of 65 — and that number is expected to jump to 50 percent in the next 25 years.

Homes in Mesquite — which is on the border of Arizona — average in the mid $500Ks.

13. Oak Park, IL

11 percent of the population of Oak Park, IL — a suburb of Chicago — is from the Boomer generation, with many citing the walkability and the affordability as their reasoning for moving to the area.

Though many of the homes in Oak Park are in the mid-$600Ks, there are still quite a few that are in the million-dollar range as well.

14. Annapolis, MD

The Capital Gazette reports that the city of Annapolis, MD, is the seventh-best place to retire in Maryland. The town gets high marks for its affordable services, high percentage of retirees (about 7500 of the town’s 31,000 residents are over the age of 65), and proximity to major cities.

The average home in Annapolis, MD, goes for somewhere in the mid-$500Ks.

15. White Plains, NY

Located about an hour north of New York City, White Plains, NY, is the perfect retirement spot for Boomers who would rather drink Long Island Rail Road water than live anywhere south of the Mason-Dixon Line. The city gets high marks for its affordability and proximity to Manhattan, and the World Population Review notes that White Plains is growing at an average of about 1 percent per year.

But there is a cost to be the boss in White Plains, as homes usually sell in the mid-$700Ks here. (It’s still significantly cheaper than the average home in other parts of New York, though.)

16. Hilo, HI

Aloha life is the best life! For those who can’t wait to retire to Hawaii, consider the benefits of Hilo, where more than 20 percent of the population is enjoying its golden years.

Homes in Hilo go for about $600K, which is still relatively reasonable compared to the rest of the island.

17. Norwich, CT

For seniors who want to live their life in an active, vital, and sometimes working way, Norwich, CT is the place to be. According to SeniorCare.com, approximately 19 percent of all people age 65 and older in the area hold at least a part-time job.

Norwich is also one of the most affordable towns on this list, with homes ranging from the mid-$200Ks to the low-$300Ks.

18. Portland, ME

Though the median age of Portland, ME, is 38 years old, there is still a sizable retirement community, with about 17 percent of the population being part of the Boomer crowd.

Living here is a bit costly, though, as homes range in price from the high $600Ks to the mid $700Ks.

19. St. Peters, MO

Just over 1 in 10 people, or about 11.4 percent, who live in St. Peters, MO, are over the age of 65, making it one of the most desirable retirement cities in the state.

Homes here are also pretty affordable, with the average price being about $345K.

20. Eugene, OR

With top-notch healthcare options, a culture imbued in the heart of the Pacific Northwest, and a wide variety of shopping options, Eugene, OR, is one of the most desirable places for retirees, with 17 percent of the population being over the age of 65.

Homes in Eugene go for about $500K to $600K, so it’s still pretty affordable.

21. Lafayette, LA

Named one of the top places to live in Louisiana, Lafayette has about 20,000 people — or, about 16 percent of its population — that are retirement age.

It is also quite affordable, with homes ranging from $240K to about $350K, give or take a few outliers in the high $400Ks.

22. Methuen Town, MA

According to the World Population Review, 9,000 residents of Methuen Town, MA — which is about an hour north of Boston — are aged 65 and older, which is just a little under 22 percent of the town’s adult population.

The average home in Methuen Town, MA, sells for about $650K.

23. Pinehurst, NC

Travel + Leisure calls Pinehurst, NC, a “quaint Southern village,” noting that a full one-third of its population is over the age of 65, and the median age of the town is 60.3 years old.

Homes in the area are also very affordable, with new builds going for about $475K.

24. Keene, NH

According to a report released by Unbiased, over 200,000 retirees made their way to Keene, NH, in 2023, with many citing the gorgeous scenery and the serene way of life as their reasoning.

And with the average home ranging from the mid-$400Ks to the low-$500Ks, it’s no wonder that it’s so desirable.

25. Montpelier, VT

For New Englanders who can’t stand the heat, Montpelier, VT, offers the fine quality of life that they’re used to, complete with all the culture and vibrancy of the greater New England area. The city of Montpelier, itself, is very involved in the lives of the Boomer residents who live there, and takes annual surveys to better understand — and address — the needs of retirees.

Montpelier is also one of the more affordable cities to live in, as one can snag a nice home for about $375K.