Forbes recently revealed the best places to retire across the USA – and you might be surprised to discover which cities made the cut.

Analyzing more than 800 cities across America, the Best Places To Retire in 2024 list considered factors such as quality of life, healthcare provision, air quality, crime rates, and climate change. Forbes also incorporated a cost of living scoring system to give cities a mark against the national average. Locations with a score that's below 100 have a cost of living that's less than the typical US city.

So where will your dollar go furthest in 2024, especially considering the vast differences in tax laws by state? We've ranked the locations that figured prominently in the the list by their overall cost of living score. Read on to discover 20 of the best, and cheapest cities for retirees in America today.

With a population of around 43,000 people, the city of Pittsfield sits on the western edge of Massachusetts.

It offers a high quality of life, with health benefits such as clean air, access to walking and biking trails, and a high ratio of primary care physicians per capita. That said, it does get a little chilly in the winter.

However, Pittsfield is the only city on the list with a cost of living score that sits above the national average at 102/100, while Massachusetts as a whole is not as tax-friendly for retirees as other states. 

Once home to steelmaking giant Bethlehem Steel, which shuttered in 2003, this former industrial hub is making a comeback.

Home to around 75,000 people and two universities, Bethlehem now has a strong focus on arts and culture and boasts a low serious crime rate.

Although the region's cold winters could be a drawback for many, Pennsylvania boasts a major selling point as the state’s tax laws exempt most retirement and all Social Security income.

Scoring the same as Bethlehem, Forbes has given Tucson, Arizona, a cost of living score of 97. In this sun-drenched desert city, which has a population of just over half a million, retirees can take advantage of its excellent cycle routes and well-staffed healthcare industry.

When it comes to state tax, you’ll pay a flat rate of 2.5% on income, while Social Security is exempt. There are no estate or inheritance taxes either.

However, Tucson has a few downsides. Although the cost of living is lower than the national average, crime rates are higher and air quality can be poor.

Higher-than-average serious crime rates are also a concern in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. And while the scenic river city is great for biking, its walkability rates are low, according to Forbes.

On the flip side, South Dakota is an excellent option when it comes to retiree taxes. Home to around 214,000 people, the city has the largest population of any other area in the state, offering its residents a strong economy, a low cost of living, and low poverty rates.

The cost of living is slightly less expensive to the east in Rochester, Minnesota which has around 124,000 residents.

The city is also home to the world-renowned Mayo Clinic and, unsurprisingly, healthcare provision is considered outstanding. Retirees can stay in shape by taking advantage of the city’s clean air and many bike paths – though they might prefer to stay indoors when Rochester's bitingly cold winters kick in.

On that note, the state’s tax policies may leave many feeling frozen out. Retirees will pay tax on Social Security and on larger investments, while estates are subject to additional taxes.

Another college town, Lawrence, Kansas, offers a low cost of living for its population of 97,000.

It provides citizens with a high quality of life thanks to its moderate climate, clean air, and steady local economy. It does have its downsides, however, including its higher-than-average rates for serious crime and poverty.

It also doesn’t score as well as other cities on the list for retiree taxes. While there's no estate tax in Kansas, Social Security benefits may be taxed depending on income.

Heading north, Lincoln, Nebraska's capital city, boasts the same cost of living score.

The college town has a population of around 298,000, and its median house prices are as much as 30% lower than the nationwide average. It offers similar amenities for walking, biking, and getting outdoors to Lawrence.

The moderate climate in Lincoln can be subject to extreme weather such as droughts, flooding, and severe storms. On top of that, Nebraska in general is not great when it comes to retirement and taxes – you’ll be taxed on Social Security, while estates that are worth more than $40,000 will also be hit when left to relatives.

Similar in size to Lincoln but offering a lower cost of living (including for housing), Pittsburgh is home to more than 300,000 people, as well as various colleges and universities.

It has one of the best scores for walkability and biking on Forbes’  list, and while the winters can be cold, it’s still considered a comfortable climate.

Pennsylvania has a flat 3.07% income tax rate, excluding Social Security and most retirement income. But it's not all good news. The state also imposes an inheritance tax that's applicable to all heirs, bar spouses. Forbes notes there's also room for improvement in terms of air quality, crime rates, and the local economy.

Around 137,000 people live in Fargo, North Dakota, where the median house price is 26% lower than the average US property.

Quality of life is high on the prairies, with clean air, facilities for walking and biking, and a reassuring ratio of primary care physicians per capita. Expect a good economy paired with a 2.5% tax cap on income.

While there's no estate tax in North Dakota, there is an income tax on Social Security, which may be a deterrent for some. What's more, Fargo's rates of serious crime and poverty are both higher than the national average – and as the northernmost locale on this list, it can get awfully cold in the winter.

Greenville, which has a population of around 74,000, has an identical cost of living score to Fargo but the added bonus of warmer weather.

Compared to Fargo, housing is more expensive in the city, which is located at the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains. That said, it's still well below the national average. There’s a strong local economy, while the state does not tax inheritances.

However, retirees may be wary of South Carolina’s higher income taxes – 6.4% for couples with taxable income of $17,300 or more. (That said, it's worth noting that the figure has been dropping). Meanwhile, Social Security and up to $10,000 of retirement income are exempt.

Lexington, Kentucky, has also been ranked 91 out of 100 for the cost of living, and retirees may prefer the state’s lower income tax rate and higher exemptions. Its 323,000 citizens enjoy a moderate climate, as well as low rates of serious crime and air pollution.

That said, compared to other cities on the list, there are fewer options for cycling and outdoor pursuits, and the economy isn’t as strong. Kentucky also taxes inheritances, with an exemption for close relatives.

The second Arizona city on this list, Yuma has a lower cost of living than Tucson. The city’s 101,000 residents pay 30% less at restaurants and nearly 15% less for groceries. This trend also applies to housing: the median property price is $290,000 in Yuma, compared to $329,000 in Tucson.

Yuma shares the same retiree-friendly tax laws and comfortable desert climate, with lots of sunshine allowing residents to enjoy its many cycle routes. That said, summers here can get hot and Yuma's walkability isn’t great. 

Around 142,000 people live in Columbia, Missouri a college town equidistant between Kansas City and St. Louis.

Scoring 90/100 for its cost of living, Columbia retirees can take advantage of many benefits, including its moderate climate, clean air, and good healthcare provision. In addition, the state of Missouri recently reduced its top tax rate to 4.8% for most incomes and added new exemptions for Social Security.

However, there are concerns about higher-than-average levels of serious crime in Columbia, while the poverty rate is higher than both state and national rates.

The cost of living is the same directly north in Iowa City, Iowa. Despite that, housing is slightly cheaper in this smaller locale, which is home to around 76,000 people.

According to Forbes, Iowa City offers residents a great quality of life thanks to its biking and walking amenities, low rates of serious crime, and top provision of primary care physicians per capita.

Social Security and retirement income are both tax-exempt in the state of Iowa, which has also enacted a recent tax law that may pique the interest of retirees – inheritance tax will be completely abolished next year. The only downside? The winters can be pretty cold...

Fortunately for sun seekers, there’s plenty of warm weather – not to mention milder winters – to be found in Savannah, Georgia where the cost of living is the same as Iowa City at 90 points.

That’s in addition to all the other perks of living in this southern city, which around 167,000 people call home. Its numerous and notable historic districts and tree-lined squares are well served by bike paths and some walking infrastructure, while its local economy is strong and healthcare provision is plentiful.

Tax-wise, Georgia has an exemption for Social Security, as well as other retirement income up to $65,000.

Florida ranks among the top states for retirees thanks to its year-round warm weather, although only one of its cities, Pensacola, made the Best Places To Retire list. Why? Forbes automatically excluded any location considered to be at very high risk of natural hazards, such as hurricanes and flooding, by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).

This beach town, which is home to 53,000 people, has a cost of living score of 89/100. Money goes much further here at the very western edge of the Florida Panhandle, with house prices more than a third lower than the national average.

The state also offers favorable tax laws, with neither state income nor inheritance taxes to be paid.  

For anyone looking to take advantage of Georgia’s mild winters and retiree-friendly tax policies, another option is the college town of Athens.

With around 130,000 citizens (compared to Savannah's 167,000), the overall cost of living is slightly lower in Athens, though the average house price is a fraction higher.

Home to the University of Georgia, retirees will have access to sports and entertainment, arts and culture, and an above average healthcare provision. However, Forbes notes there’s room for improvement when it comes to reducing serious crime, increasing walkability, and boosting the local economy.

The cost of living in Las Cruces, New Mexico is 16% below the national average, making it one of the cheapest places to retire.

When it comes to quality of life, the desert city of 116,000 boasts a good economy, clean air, and bike infrastructure. What's not to like?

However, New Mexico can’t compete with neighboring state Arizona’s retiree-friendly tax policies. Its income tax rate is higher and its Social Security can be subject to tax.

The cost of living is significantly lower in Roanoke, a city of 100,000 people in the Blue Ridge Mountains. Located in southwest Virginia, it boasts a median house price that's 35% lower than the national average, and it's certainly affordable.

The Roanoke climate is mild, with both walking and biking amenities available. Virginia taxes neither Social Security nor inheritances, while its income tax rates are capped at 5.75%.

However, the local economy isn’t as strong, and Roanoke has a high poverty rate (19%). Its rate of serious crimes is also higher than the national average.

Taking the top spot in our ranking is Augusta, Georgia where the cost of living is 20% lower than the national average. The median house price is just $172,000, a massive 56% below the US average, and there are also numerous tax benefits to living in the state.

While Augusta, which has a population of just over 200,000, may not have the historical or cultural amenities of Savannah and Athens, it still boasts a mild climate, clean air, and excellent healthcare provision.

That said, the city doesn’t offer much for walking and biking, and there are still concerns about its higher-than-average levels of serious crimes, weak economy, and 20% poverty rate.

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