The age of retirement is typically in the mid-60s, and the baby boomer generation will all reach age 65 by 2030. So it stands to reason that places that provide a robust and enjoyable retirement experience will soon be very popular.
But where to retire? The options can be overwhelming.
U.S. News & World Report has come out with its annual Best Places To Retire in the U.S. rankings, factoring in quality of life, affordability, health care, retiree taxes, job market, and, for the first time, population and migration patterns of retirees aged 55 and older.
This year’s rankings expanded to evaluate more than 850 U.S. cities, publishing the 250 top places to retire (up from 150 for 2025).
“The expansion of the 2026 Best Places To Retire rankings to evaluate over 850 cities enables retirees to have a more granular starting point when deciding where to spend their golden years,” Tim Smart, contributing editor and author of U.S. News & World Report’s retirement newsletter, YOLO: Your Smart Guide to Retirement, said in a release. “Whether seeking a bustling city or a quiet town, retirees are now empowered with a more precise view of the best places to settle down.”
Two other changes: Quality of life was given the most weight in the rankings, and the methodology expanded to consider the population and migration patterns of retirees aged 55 and older. More retirees in one spot means more of a support network, more community, and more businesses and services geared toward this demographic.
The No. 1 place to retire is taken over by a newcomer
This year, a newcomer (in a cold Northern state!) charged its way to the top of the list: Midland, MI.
Ranked No. 1, this small Midwest city with a population of approximately 43,000 scored high in quality of life, affordability, and retiree taxes.
“Retirees are prioritizing quality of life over affordability for the first time since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic,” said Smart. “This, coupled with an expanded number of places evaluated, allowed a number of Midwestern cities to secure high positions in the rankings.”
To determine the weightings, the publication surveyed people across the U.S. to determine the importance they place on each aspect evaluated in the index.
The quality of life index took into account quality of education, quality and availability of health care, air quality index, environmental risk, state economy, and state infrastructure.
Also assessed were crime rates, weather temperateness, cultural/leisure index, and commuter index.
In terms of affordability, the publication looked at housing affordability as well as the cost of living.
“This relatively small town may not boast access to a beach, but the low cost of living and low home prices likely appeal to retirees looking to retire comfortably, without the strain of affordability challenges,” says Hannah Jones, senior economic research analyst at Realtor.com®.
Other best places to retire
Also popular in the rankings was perennial retiree favorite: Florida. It took three of the top 10 spots. Up-and-comer Texas, which began to draw city dwellers during the pandemic, took two spots.
More surprising? Weirton, WV, ranked at No. 2 with its strong scores in quality of life, happiness, affordability, and retiree taxes. And demand is growing for the town.
Homes in Weirton spent less time on the market in October 2025 compared to one year earlier, according to Realtor.com data.
In October, the typical home for sale in Weirton spent 50 days on the market, six days less than one year ago and nearly two weeks less than the national norm. Strong demand has more than doubled prices over the past six years. However, the area remains affordable with a median list price of just $179,750 in October.
While retiree hot spots such as The Villages, Boca Raton, and Miami are always popular, No. 3–ranked Homosassa Springs, FL, which is not on the beach and is located an hour north of Tampa, blasted up the ranks thanks to its affordability, quality of life, retiree taxes, and 55-plus population growth.
1. Midland, MI
Median home list price: $326,200
Seat of the Dow Chemical world headquarters, the small city offers an abundance of nature, with a 110-acre botanical garden, the Pere Marquette Rail-Trail, and 80 small parks—a master plan for Emerson Park was submitted in September—as well as a midsized university, Northwood, and the Midland Center for the Arts. The downtown is a historical area that dates to 1938.
Crime is low (ranked No. 22) and walkability is high (No. 55). But weigh the area carefully. In 2020, heavy rainfall and snowmelt led to massive flooding, the failure of two dams, and a declared state of emergency. Keep in mind that Michigan—known for its thousands of inland lakes and more freshwater shoreline than any other state—is prone to flooding.
2. Weirton, WV
Median home list price: $163,500
Located along the Ohio River and bordering Ohio and Pennsylvania, the town of approximately 18,000 was once one of the largest steel producers in the country. It’s now mostly known for its laid-back, rural lifestyle combined with plenty of museums, restaurants, retail stores, and outdoor activities.
It ranks high in affordability (No. 29) and tax-friendliness (No. 58).
3. Homosassa Springs, FL
Median home list price: $309,325
On the Gulf Coast, this lesser-known Florida hot spot combines the charm of a fishing village with oodles of nature—it is the location for the biodiverse Homosassa Springs Wildlife State Park, with manatees and spider monkeys—but also lots of walking and hiking trails, museums and aquariums, and three well-known resorts.
The market in Homosassa Springs has slowed down over the past year, with both listings and time on the market increasing, so retiree home shoppers may find more options and flexibility from sellers.
“Homosassa Springs is quite a ways inland from the coast and nestled up near the bend of the panhandle, making it relatively safe from hurricanes,” Martin Orefice, founder of Rent to Own Labs, tells Realtor.com
“It’s also far from major cities, which does a lot to help keep home prices affordable despite the abundant natural beauty.”
It ranks No. 12 in senior population/migration and No. 3 in retiree taxes.
4. The Woodlands, TX
Median home list price: $489,859
A 28,000-acre master-planned community founded in 1978, The Woodlands was developed to balance living, working, and recreation with the natural environment. About a half-hour drive from downtown Houston, The Woodlands offers everything retirees could want, including Woodlands Waterway, which mixes shopping, dining, and entertaining along the 1.8-mile human-made canal.
“There are multiple 55-plus communities within The Woodlands, including multiple assisted-living options,” says Renay Cohen, director of sales of The Ritz-Carlton Residences, The Woodlands.
“The lifestyle in The Woodlands allows for a variety of social/hobby-related clubs (bird watching, fitness, crafts, and sports of all ages, etc.), variety of churches, ease of walkability to shopping/restaurants, farmers market, and more. Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion offers a variety of entertainment venues. There are over 200 miles of hike and bike trails. Everything is contained, so there really is no need to leave the area. The free hop-on/hop-off trolley. Interfaith offers a variety of senior programs as well as free curb-to-curb transportation within the community.”
5. Spring, TX
Median home list price: $355,000
This Houston suburb is known for its charming historical Old Town center, with more than 80 specialty shops, and plenty of restaurants, parks, and gathering spaces. It has the vibe of a small town but the convenience of suburbia. Its unique shopping hub has attracted significant tourism to the area.
Spring is in the top 5% of ranked cities for affordability and retiree taxes.
6. Rio Rancho, NM
Median home list price: $435,000
A half-hour from Albuquerque, this area is known for having a suburban feel. It also comes with spectacular views of the Sandia Mountains and all the outdoor activities that climbing and hiking enthusiasts could want.
7. Spring Hill, FL
Median home list price: $347,200
An hour north of Tampa on the Gulf side, Spring Hill is another nonbeach town where you can be away from the crowds and more insulated from extreme weather events. However, there are plenty of lakes for boating, fishing, and swimming.
8. Altoona, PA
Median home list price: $171,225
A historical city with roots in the railroad industry, Altoona is charming, affordable, and on the upswing in terms of population and desirability. Nestled by the Allegheny Mountains, the city has plenty of nature, including Canoe Creek State Park.
It ranks in the top 5% on the culture/leisure Index.
9. Palm Coast, FL
Median home list price: $405,000
On the Atlantic side, north of Daytona Beach, this coastal town has approximately 90,000 people. With miles of pristine shoreline, Palm Coast has all an ocean-loving retiree could want, but at a more affordable price and with much less congestion.
“Palm Coast is a hidden gem,” Coldwell Banker agent Cara Ameer tells Realtor.com. “This is a quaint, coastal community that has remained that way. It even has an old-fashioned toll bridge where workers manually collect the $3 toll to get onto the barrier island of Hammock Beach and Hammock Dunes within Palm Coast. You have the best of pristine beaches, the Intracoastal Waterway, and beautiful golf courses in the area.”
The luxury oceanfront Ritz-Carlton Residences are being developed here, and the Flagler County airport is expanding to accommodate the increased use of private aviation.
10. Lynchburg, VA
Median home list price: $354,495
Located east of the Blue Ridge Mountains, this small city offers swimming and boating on Smith Mountain Lake, one of the country’s largest human-made bodies of water; skiing at Wintergreen Resort; and minor-league baseball and football games at the city stadium.
