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While cost of living is on the higher end in Arlington, a bustling cultural scene, low health care costs for seniors and the overall well-being of its residents lands this city as the best place for retirees in the country.
Overall Score: 7.08
Cost of Living: -1.62
Taxes: 0.31
Health Care: 1.36
In Franklin, residents benefit from low crime rates and a favorable tax system, making it the second best retirement city in the United States.
Overall Score: 5.81
Cost of Living: 0.73
Taxes: 1.74
Health Care: 0.53
Iowa may be known for its corn and agricultural products, but the state is also home to West Des Moines, the third best city to retire to in the United States. With exceptionally low health care costs for seniors, West Des Moines makes for a potentially inexpensive retirement.
Overall Score: 4.07
Cost of Living: 0.90
Taxes: 0.41
Health Care: 2.47
Sarasota ranks below average in terms of per-capita crime and the quality of health care, but its temperate climate and the overall well-being of its residents make this city one of the best locations for retirees.
Overall Score: 3.85
Cost of Living: 0.30
Taxes: 0.60
Health Care: -0.18
Scottsdale’s low crime rates, low health care costs for seniors and favorable weather make up for its below-average walkability and cultural vitality scores. Overall, it's No. 5 on the list.
Overall Score: 3.58
Cost of Living: 0.63
Taxes: 0.66
Health Care: 0.95
Health care may be expensive in Round Rock, but low state and local taxes coupled with a high resident well-being score make this Texas town one of the best places to retire.
Overall Score: 3.35
Cost of Living: 0.85
Taxes: 1.57
Health Care: -1.73
This southern California city scored very well when it came to cultural vitality, despite its expensive health care and high cost of living. Residents will also deal with a significant tax burden, which could be a drag on retirement savings.
Overall Score: 3.26
Cost of Living: -1.32
Taxes: -0.85
Health Care: -0.95
There might not be much of a cultural scene in Cape Coral and health care is on the expensive side, but the city’s low crime rates and warm weather boosted this city’s rank to No. 8 on the list.
Overall Score: 3.00
Cost of Living: 0.42
Taxes: 0.60
Health Care: -0.18
Despite a lower-than-average well-being score, Charleston’s favorable tax system, low health care costs and low crime rates make it a good option for clients of retirement age.
Overall Score: 2.79
Cost of Living: 0.41
Taxes: 0.96
Health Care: -0.98
Below-average scores in most categories were offset by low crime rates and nice weather, helping Kendall find its place in the top 10 for retirement locations.
Overall Score: 2.70
Cost of Living: -0.09
Taxes: 0.60
Health Care: -0.18
Niagara Falls ranks as the worst city to retire in the country, scoring poorly in most categories. Two redeeming characteristics of Niagara Falls, however, are its low cost of living and walkability.
Overall Score: -6.14
Cost of Living: 0.66
Taxes: -2.11
Health Care: -0.67
Crime rates may be low in Milford, but this city had a below-average performance in every other category under consideration, making it the second worst city for retirement in the United States.
Overall Score: -6.09
Cost of Living: 0.61
Taxes: -2.04
Health Care: -0.36
Nice weather in San Bernardino doesn’t compensate for the high cost of living, expensive health care for seniors and a lack of cultural vitality.
Overall Score: -5.38
Cost of Living: -1.32
Taxes: -2.04
Health Care: -0.95
A heavy tax burden coupled with bad weather makes Troy an especially bad place for retirees considering a move.
Overall Score: -4.55
Cost of Living: -0.11
Taxes: -2.11
Health Care: -0.67
Retirees may be able to walk to most places in Worcester, but cost of living is high in this city, making it the fifth worst place for clients to spend their retirement.
Overall Score: -4.52
Cost of Living: -1.16
Taxes: -0.36
Health Care: -0.21
Extremely high per-capita crime rates and low resident well-being scores pushes Little Rock down to the sixth worst retirement city.
Overall Score: -4.51
Cost of Living: 0.67
Taxes: -0.23
Health Care: 0.60
The Big Apple has the highest cost of living in the country and a punishing tax code. It’s the seventh worst city for retirement, beating Little Rock by a hair.
Overall Score: -4.51
Cost of Living: -5.17
Taxes: -2.11
Health Care: -0.67
High taxes really hurt East Hartford’s ranking, while low crime rates and cultural vitality helped it outperform New York City and Little Rock.
Overall Score: -4.07
Cost of Living: -0.62
Taxes: -2.04
Health Care: -0.36
Despite an above-average cost of living, Fresno still lands as the ninth worst city to retire thanks, in part, to the low well-being score of its residents.
Overall Score: -3.56
Cost of Living: 0.16
Taxes: -0.85
Health Care: -0.95
The fourth city in New York State to make it on this list, Rochester’s harsh tax system offset a favorable cost of living and higher-than-average walkability score.
Overall Score: -3.44
Cost of Living: 0.49
Taxes: -2.11
Health Care: -0.67
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