Where is the best place for seniors to retire?

Choosing the "best" place to retire is subjective, as it depends on individual priorities such as affordability, access to healthcare, desired climate, and community feel. Below are some of the top-ranked U.S. cities and states that excel in these various factors.

Where is the nicest and cheapest place to retire?

1. Fargo, ND. With its low costs and generous tax situation, North Dakota has consistently ranked high among our best states for retirement.

Where can I retire on $2000 a month in the United States?

You can retire comfortably on $2,000 a month in the U.S. by focusing on affordable Midwest and Southern cities, with top contenders including Fort Wayne, Indiana, Fargo, North Dakota, Knoxville, Tennessee, Oklahoma City, Cincinnati, Ohio, and several locations in Texas (like Brownsville, Abilene) and Florida (like Tallahassee, Fort Myers), which offer lower costs for housing, groceries, and healthcare while still providing good livability and amenities. 

Where do the happiest retirees live in the USA?

Caring.com's 2025 Senior Happiness Index identifies states where seniors are most content, connected, and live longest. Utah is ranked as the happiest state for older adults due to high volunteer rates, good health, and excellent health care access.

Can I live on $5000 a month in retirement?

To retire comfortably, many retirees need between $60,000 and $100,000 annually, or $5,000 to $8,300 per month. This varies based on personal financial needs and expenses.

5 Things I learned My FIrst Year Retired

What is the cheapest and safest state to retire in?

Here are some of the best states to retire in on a fixed income, based on these criteria:

• Mississippi. Cost of Living: Lowest in the U.S. ...
• Alabama. Cost of Living: Significantly lower than the national average. ...
• Arkansas. Cost of Living: Among the lowest in the nation. ...
• Oklahoma. ...
• West Virginia. ...
• Tennessee. ...
• South Carolina. ...
• Kentucky.

What is the number one mistake retirees make?

The top ten financial mistakes most people make after retirement are:

• 1) Not Changing Lifestyle After Retirement. ...
• 2) Failing to Move to More Conservative Investments. ...
• 3) Applying for Social Security Too Early. ...
• 4) Spending Too Much Money Too Soon. ...
• 5) Failure To Be Aware Of Frauds and Scams. ...
• 6) Cashing Out Pension Too Soon.

What state is best for seniors on social security?

For retirees living on Social Security, the best states offer low taxes (no state income tax on SS), low cost of living (especially housing), and affordability, with top contenders often including Mississippi, West Virginia, Arkansas, Iowa, Wyoming, and Florida, while states like Pennsylvania, South Dakota, and Tennessee also rank highly for affordability and favorable tax environments, making every dollar stretch further. 

What is the $1000 a month rule for retirement?

The $1,000 a month retirement rule is a simple guideline stating you need about $240,000 saved for every $1,000 of monthly income you want from your investments in retirement, based on a 5% annual withdrawal rate ($240k x 0.05 / 12 = $1k/month). It's a motivational tool to estimate savings goals (e.g., $3,000/month needs $720k), but it's one-dimensional, doesn't account for inflation, taxes, or other income like Social Security, and assumes steady 5% returns, making a personalized plan essential. 

Is it better to rent or buy in retirement?

Renting vs. buying in retirement involves a trade-off between flexibility/less responsibility (renting) and stability/equity (owning), with renting offering freedom to move and no maintenance worries but rising costs, while owning provides fixed housing costs (if paid off) and potential appreciation but requires upkeep and commitment, making the best choice highly personal, depending on your finances, health, and desired lifestyle. 

What is the $27.40 rule?

The $27.40 Rule is a personal finance strategy to save $10,000 in one year by consistently setting aside $27.40 every single day ($27.40 x 365 days = $10,001). It's a simple way to reach a large financial goal by breaking it down into small, manageable daily habits, making saving feel less intimidating and more achievable by cutting small, unnecessary expenses like daily coffees or lunches.
 

What is the nicest, cheapest place to live in the US?

Keep reading to learn which cities are rated as the most budget-friendly places to call home.

• Most Affordable Cities in the US.
• Hickory, North Carolina.
• Brownsville, Texas.
• Fort Wayne, Indiana.
• Dayton, Ohio.
• Sioux Falls, South Dakota.
• Knoxville, Tennessee.
• Erie, Pennsylvania.

What is a good monthly income when retired?

A good monthly retirement income is often considered 70-80% of your pre-retirement income, but it truly depends on your lifestyle, location, and expenses, with benchmarks ranging from $4,000-$8,000+ monthly for a comfortable life, factoring in needs like housing, healthcare, and travel. Financial planners suggest calculating your specific "income gap" by subtracting guaranteed income (like Social Security) from your estimated needs to see what you need from savings. 

Where can a senior live on social security?

There are just 10 states where the typical retiree can live mortgage-free on Social Security alone. Delaware tops the list with an annual surplus of $1,764, or about $147 a month. At the other end of the surplus spectrum, Michigan squeaks by with just $132 a year, or roughly $11 a month.

Where in the world can you live on $1200 a month?

Varna, Bulgaria—one of the cities highlighted in a new report on the world's most affordable places to live or retire for as little as $1,200 a month. That financial reality has more people exploring the idea of moving abroad—whether for retirement, remote work or a lifestyle change.

How long will $500,000 last you in retirement?

$500,000 in retirement can last anywhere from under 15 years to over 30 years, depending heavily on your annual spending, investment returns, inflation, taxes, and other income (like Social Security). With a modest $30,000/year spending (plus Social Security), it could last 30+ years, while higher spending ($45k+) might deplete it in 15-20 years, highlighting the need for personalized planning. 

Can you live off interest of $1 million dollars?

Yes, you can live off the "interest" (investment returns) of $1 million, potentially generating $40,000 to $100,000+ annually depending on your investment mix and risk tolerance, but it requires careful management, accounting for inflation, taxes, healthcare, and lifestyle, as returns vary (e.g., conservative bonds vs. S&P 500 index funds). A common guideline is the 4% Rule, suggesting $40,000/year, but a diversified portfolio could yield more or less, with options like annuities offering guaranteed income streams. 

How much do you have to make to get $3,000 a month in social security?

To get around $3,000/month in Social Security, you generally need a high earning history, around $100,000-$108,000+ annually over your top 35 years, but waiting to claim until age 70 maximizes this amount, potentially reaching it with lower yearly earnings, say under $70k if you wait long enough, as benefits are based on your highest indexed earnings over 35 years. The exact amount depends heavily on your specific earnings history and the age you start collecting benefits. 

What is the friendliest state for seniors?

There's no single "most" senior-friendly state, as it depends on priorities, but Florida, Delaware, Virginia, Arizona, and New Hampshire consistently rank high for affordability, healthcare, and quality of life, while states like Mississippi & Texas offer lower costs, and New England states shine in healthcare access and safety. The best choice balances taxes, living costs, healthcare, climate, and community for your specific needs, with Sun Belt states often praised for taxes but New England for overall senior support. 

What is one of the biggest mistakes people make regarding social security?

Claiming Benefits Too Early

One of the biggest mistakes people make is claiming Social Security benefits as soon as they're eligible, which is at age 62. While getting money sooner can be tempting, claiming early has a significant downside: your monthly benefit will be reduced.

What is the golden rule for retirement?

The gist is that ideally you would spend 4% of your retirement portfolio each year in retirement, adjusted for inflation. For example, if you retired with $1 million in savings, you'd withdraw $40,000 the first year and a bit more each successive year, based on the inflation rate.

What does Suze Orman recommend for retirement?

Once you pay off the house, I want you to keep making monthly payments—to yourself. Invest that same amount in a Roth IRA. If you follow a few simple rules, you'll be able to withdraw all the money in retirement without paying a penny of tax.

How many people have $500,000 in their retirement account?

While exact numbers vary by source and year, recent data suggests around 7-9% of American households have $500,000 or more in retirement savings, though many more have significant savings in the $100k-$500k range, with a large portion of the population having much less, highlighting a big gap between the average (which is higher due to wealthy individuals) and the median (typical) saver.