After deciding when to retire, deciding where to retire is the next step on the list.
Deciding where to retire is an exciting prospect for many soon-to-be retirees. It can feel very liberating to choose where to live independent of work commitments, which most often determine residency. Many “snowbirds” flock from all over the country to retiree hotspots with warmer climates like Florida or Arizona, but the best city to retire might be a lot closer to home. In fact, retiring in-state can be a very desirable option, particularly if remaining close to family or friends is a priority.
Even after deciding on a particular state as a retirement destination, selecting the community within it remains a crucial choice given the significant variation in the standard of living among cities.
While it’s possible to find a handful of appealing retirement cities in every state, there are a select few that stand out from the rest for the exceptional quality of life they offer retirees. These cities strike the perfect balance between affordability, safety, and healthcare accessibility. From large urban centers to tranquil suburban communities, here are Insurify’s 2021 best cities to retire.
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Selection process for Insurify’s 2021 Best Cities to Retire
The data scientists at Insurify, a site to compare homeowners insurance, analyzed both proprietary and public data to identify the best cities to retire in 2021.
They rated U.S. cities based on a composite score of factors comprising real estate affordability, life expectancy, accessibility to healthcare, low rates of property crime and violent crime, and driver and pedestrian safety.
Insurify’s research team referred to Realtor.com for statistics on real estate affordability. Cities with lower median home sale prices received a higher score.
Life expectancy and healthcare accessibility statistics were provided by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and American Medical Association, respectively. Cities with a higher life expectancy received a higher score, as did cities with a higher proportion of primary care physicians to residents.
Property crime and violent crime rates were compiled from the latest Crime in the United States report, published by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). Cities with lower rates of property crime and violent crime received a higher score.
Driver and pedestrian safety statistics for each city were obtained from Insurify’s database of over 4 million car insurance applications. Cities were evaluated for rates of at-fault accidents and failure to yield to pedestrian violations. Higher scores were awarded to cities with lower rates of these two violations.
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1. Oneonta, Alabama
Image Credit: Jacqueline Nix / istockphoto.
2. Fairbanks, Alaska
Image Credit: LaraBelova/istockphoto.
3. Cottonwood, Arizona
Image Credit: Vrbo.
4. Texarkana, Arkansas
Image Credit: BergmannD/istockphoto.
5. Port Hueneme, California
Image Credit: fiveeightfour / istockphoto.
6. Evans, Colorado
Image Credit: Cavan Images / istockphoto.
7. Bristol, Connecticut
Image Credit: Holcy / istockphoto.
8. Smyrna ,Delaware
Image Credit: Smyrna, Delaware by Mr.TinDC (CC BY-NC-ND).
9. Vero Beach, Florida
Image Credit: Deposit Photos.
10. Monticello, Georgia
Image Credit: Lana2011 / istockphoto.
11. Hilo, Hawaii
Image Credit: Google Maps.
12. Kuna, Idaho
Image Credit: Wiki Commons.
13. Elgin, Illinois
Image Credit: G LeTourneau / Wiki Commons.
14. Connersville, Indiana
Image Credit: Warren LeMay / Wiki Commons.
15. Marion, Iowa
Image Credit: Susie Shapira / Wiki Commons.
16. Topeka, Kansas
Image Credit: ChrisBoswell / istockphoto.
17. Vine Grove, Kentucky
Image Credit: Thomas Kelley.
18. Breaux Bridge, Louisiana
Image Credit: Courtesy of bbcrawfest.com.
19. Auburn, Maine
Image Credit: Aissa Richards / Wikimedia Commons.
20. Frederick, Maryland
Image Credit: Christian Hinkle/shutterstock.
21. Woburn, Massachusetts
Image Credit: Alex Rodas / istockphoto.
22. Midland, Michigan
Image Credit: ShriramPatki / istockphoto.
23. Moorhead, Minnesota
Image Credit: Jacob Boomsma / istockphoto.
24. Starkville, Mississippi
Image Credit: C5Media / istockphoto.
25. Fulton, Missouri
Image Credit: Westminster College, Fulton, Missouri.
26. Kalispell, Montana
Image Credit: JPForte / istockphoto.
27. Kearney, Nebraska
Image Credit: marekuliasz/istockphoto.
28. Carson City, Nevada
Image Credit: Schrantz / Wiki Commons.
29. Nashua, New Hampshire
Image Credit: Darwin Carozza/istockphoto.
30. Bayonne, New Jersey
Image Credit: Ultima_Gaina / istockphoto.
31. Rio Rancho, New Mexico
Image Credit: WesternWriter / istockphoto.
32. Lockport, New York
Image Credit: Bigbadbflo / Wiki Commons.
33. Clayton, North Carolina
Image Credit: Clayton Hanson / istockphoto.
34. Bismarck, North Dakota
Image Credit: Realtor.
35. Findlay, Ohio
Image Credit: Nyttend / Wiki Commons.
36. Edmond, Oklahoma
Image Credit: raksyBH / istockphoto.
37. Lebanon, Oregon
Image Credit: JPLDesigns / istockphoto.
38. State College, Pennsylvania
Image Credit: aimintang / istockphoto.
39. Cranston, Rhode Island
Image Credit: thisisbossi / istockphoto.
40. North Augusta, South Carolina
Image Credit: Google Maps.
41. Belle Fourche, South Dakota
Image Credit: dosecreative / istockphoto.
42. Lenoir City, Tennessee
Image Credit: Brian Stansberry / Wiki Commons.
43. Floresville, Texas
Image Credit: kenhartlein / istockphoto.
44. Spanish Fork, Utah
Image Credit: Fotoneurotic / istockphoto.
45. Vergennes, Vermont
Image Credit: ©TripAdvisor.
46. Harrisonburg, Virginia
Image Credit: Sean Board / istockphoto.
47. Lake Stevens, Washington
Image Credit: bpperry / istockphoto.
48. Weirton, West Virginia
Image Credit: Famartin / Wiki Commons.
49. Oshkosh, Wisconsin
Image Credit: Sandra Lund / istockphoto.
50. Rock Springs, Wyoming
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