Where Should You Actually Retire? A Data-Driven Guide to America's Most Affordable and Safest Havens

Planning your retirement can feel overwhelming when you’re faced with endless options. You want a place that won’t drain your savings, offers genuine safety, and ideally puts you around people in a similar life stage. If you’re tired of generic advice, let’s cut through the noise with actual numbers and real comparisons.

What Makes a Retirement Destination Actually Work?

GOBankingRates analyzed dozens of American cities using rigorous criteria: violent crime rates, property crime statistics, overall cost of living, livability scores, and the concentration of residents aged 65 and older. The goal? Identify destinations where your nest egg stretches further while your sense of security remains intact.

The data reveals something interesting: the safest, most affordable states to retire aren’t always where you’d expect. Small towns consistently outperform larger metros, and hidden gems exist across regions from the Midwest to New England.

The Real Budget-Friendly Champions (Under $65,000 Annually)

If keeping expenses under control is your priority, several destinations deliver without compromise.

Kettering, Ohio stands out as remarkably affordable at just $58,228 yearly while maintaining crime scores of 0.984 (violent) and 0.933 (property). Similarly, Frankfort, Kentucky offers an under-$60,000 lifestyle with a livability score of 91—residents clearly feel their money goes the distance here.

For those seeking the absolute cheapest option, Beatrice, Nebraska clocks in at $56,403 annually with a respectable livability score of 78. The trade-off? You’ll experience genuine small-town living with 12,000 residents.

Mississippi towns deserve special mention: Oxford ($60,490) and Brandon ($64,576) both undercut most competitors. While Oxford ranked lowest on safety metrics in this analysis, it still scores respectably with violent crime at 0.916 and property crime at 0.884—numbers that reflect careful methodology rather than actual danger.

The Midwest’s Hidden Advantage (Iowa, Minnesota, Wisconsin)

Several Midwest states consistently appear as most affordable states to retire, and for good reason.

Dubuque, Iowa ($61,949) combines affordability with 18.5% of its 60,000 residents aged 65+, creating natural peer networks. Urbandale, Iowa ($63,189) earns a stellar livability score of 89 alongside strong safety metrics (0.966 violent, 0.968 property).

Rochester, Minnesota ($68,735) and Fergus Falls, Minnesota ($64,065) offer something different: the appeal of established communities. Rochester’s livability score of 91 reflects residents’ genuine satisfaction despite cold winters, while Fergus Falls boasts an unusual 25.47% senior population.

Wauwatosa, Wisconsin ($64,211) sits beautifully on the state border with scenic landscapes and 8,300 residents over 65 out of 48,000 total—enough to find community without feeling overwhelmed.

New England: Premium Pricing for Premium Safety

New Hampshire cities cluster at a higher price point but deliver exceptional security and livability.

Concord ($73,259), Dover ($75,010), and Keene ($67,203) all show violent crime scores above 0.945 and property crime above 0.894. These aren’t cheap destinations, but residents consistently rate livability at 86-88, suggesting they feel the investment worthwhile.

Brunswick, Maine ($82,088) commands a higher price but earns a livability score of 87. Meanwhile, Exeter, New Hampshire ($86,758) represents the higher end of New England pricing—you’re paying for history, natural beauty, and demonstrable safety.

When You Have Budget Flexibility

For retirees with more financial cushion, certain destinations offer near-perfect safety metrics alongside strong communities.

Rockport, Massachusetts ($95,952) sits in a paradox: high cost, lower livability score of 70, yet some of America’s lowest crime rates (violent crime 0.987, property crime 0.995—the second-best on any list). It appeals primarily to those prioritizing security above all else.

Lexington, Massachusetts ($105,583) is America’s most expensive option here, but its 92 livability score and exceptional crime metrics explain why. Over 100K annually isn’t accessible for everyone, but for those it is, the safety premium feels justified.

The Clear Winner: Pinehurst, North Carolina

If you’re looking for one recommendation that balances multiple factors, Pinehurst deserves the top spot. The annual cost of $68,516 sits comfortably in the middle range—more accessible than New England, more expensive than Mississippi, but reasonable across the board.

The real magic: nearly 40% of Pinehurst’s population is 65 or older. You won’t feel like the outsider. Crime metrics score exceptionally high (0.989 violent, 0.983 property), and the overall cost-to-safety-to-community ratio creates an optimal retirement equation.

Regional Standouts Worth Considering

New Hampshire emerges as the most affordable state cluster for high safety, with multiple options under $85,000 showing violent crime scores above 0.945.

Tennessee offers surprising value through Jonesborough ($61,730), a town of just 5,747 with 27.13% senior population—intimate enough to build real connections, affordable enough to preserve your savings.

Connecticut’s Milford ($79,680) breaks the New England mold slightly, offering lower cost than peers while maintaining nearly 20% senior population.

The Real Picture

The data paints a consistent story: small to medium-sized cities in the Midwest and certain New England pockets offer the best retirement value. Most affordable states to retire typically include Iowa, New Hampshire, Minnesota, and selected towns in Mississippi and Ohio.

Crime rates tell a nuanced story—even cities ranked “lowest” on this list still score respectably when compared nationally. The methodology accounts for population size, ensuring Pinehurst’s safety metrics fairly compare to larger metros.

Your ideal choice depends on three factors: your budget flexibility, your climate preferences, and your social needs. Prefer community? Fergus Falls and Pinehurst concentrate seniors naturally. Need maximum affordability? Mississippi and Ohio deliver. Want sophisticated Northeast charm? New Hampshire and Massachusetts satisfy that craving—at higher costs.

The methodology combined FBI crime data, Census population information, livability indices from resident surveys, and Bureau of Labor Statistics expenditure data—all current as of May 2024. These aren’t marketing claims; they’re statistical snapshots of where Americans actually feel safe and comfortable spending their retirement years.