This Midwest City Was Just Named the Best Place to Retire in the U.S. for Affordability, Quality of Life, and Outdoor Access

Deciding the place you need to retire is a giant choice. For some, the selection is easy—they’ll maintain their roots planted the place they’re. Others might need to embark on a brand new journey, ideally one with a strong high quality of life and an honest monetary worth. When you’re somebody who falls into the latter class, and also you haven’t but determined the place you need to transfer, this may make issues a bit simpler. 

U.S. Information & World Report just lately launched its annual Finest Locations to Retire rankings, and a Midwestern metropolis got here out on prime. Midland, Michigan, inhabitants 42,740, took the No. 1 spot, adopted by Weirton, West Virginia, and Homosassa Springs, Florida. Situated about an hour and a half north of Lansing, the state’s capital, Midland is especially notable for its affordability. 

Based on the info collected by the publication, the median dwelling worth in Midland is $206,142—considerably decrease than the nationwide common dwelling worth of $370,489. When you’re renting, anticipate to pay round $790 a month. The median family earnings is simply over $76,000, barely under the nationwide median family earnings of $79,466.

The rankings have been based mostly on extra than simply affordability, although. U.S. Information & World Report analyzed information throughout 850-plus cities to “assess how properly they meet People’ retirement wants and expectations.” The info was then bucketed into six indexes—tax charges, high quality of life, senior inhabitants/migration traits, high quality of well being care, job market, and total worth—which have been weighted based mostly on responses from a March 2025 public survey. The survey requested 3,500 People to resolve on crucial elements that ought to be thought of in retirement. To create the ultimate listing, every vacation spot was given an total retirement rating (a weighted common of the indexes) on a 10-point scale. Midland obtained an total rating of 6.8.

However what’s life truly like in Midland? Properly, regardless of the retirement-friendly rating, the inhabitants truly skews youthful; the median age is 38.8. Solely about 20 p.c of residents are over the age of 65.

Nonetheless, you’ll discover an amazing neighborhood with loads of issues to do, notably in case you wish to spend time within the outside. The 1,200-acre Chippewa Nature Middle presents guided kayaking journeys and 19 miles of trails. Dow Gardens can also be an exquisite place to stretch your legs and breathe in recent air; it boasts the longest cover stroll within the nation. 

Not set on Michigan on your subsequent chapter? Uncover the complete retirement rankings and particulars on U.S. Information & World Report.