Best Affordable Cities for Retirees
Stretching Your Retirement Dollar
For retirees on a fixed income, housing costs are the single biggest factor in financial security. We ranked cities by a combined housing affordability score (rent + home value) to find places where your nest egg goes furthest. All cities on this list have populations over 50,000, ensuring access to healthcare facilities, shopping, and community services.
Most Affordable Options
Youngstown, OH tops the list with median rent of $718 and home values at $58,400. Other standout options include Flint, MI; Decatur, IL; Canton, OH; Muncie, IN.
Full Rankings
| # | City | Rent | Income | Home Value | Population |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Youngstown, OH | $718 | $34,746 | $58,400 | 59,605 |
| 2 | Flint, MI | $859 | $36,194 | $47,600 | 80,835 |
| 3 | Decatur, IL | $796 | $50,809 | $97,300 | 70,368 |
| 4 | Canton, OH | $826 | $39,754 | $94,400 | 70,105 |
| 5 | Muncie, IN | $867 | $43,395 | $92,000 | 64,739 |
| 6 | Dayton, OH | $866 | $43,454 | $93,200 | 136,741 |
| 7 | Detroit, MI | $1,034 | $39,575 | $76,800 | 636,644 |
| 8 | Gary, IN | $975 | $37,380 | $85,300 | 68,604 |
| 9 | Cleveland, OH | $894 | $39,187 | $94,100 | 367,523 |
| 10 | Springfield, OH | $805 | $45,883 | $107,600 | 58,410 |
| 11 | Erie, PA | $836 | $43,397 | $108,200 | 94,156 |
| 12 | Toledo, OH | $880 | $47,532 | $107,000 | 268,461 |
| 13 | Anderson, IN | $909 | $47,221 | $104,300 | 54,930 |
| 14 | Port Arthur, TX | $996 | $45,752 | $96,900 | 55,779 |
| 15 | Terre Haute, IN | $877 | $41,960 | $109,500 | 58,491 |
| 16 | Akron, OH | $930 | $48,544 | $111,200 | 189,526 |
| 17 | Lorain, OH | $839 | $45,799 | $123,500 | 65,207 |
| 18 | Albany, GA | $898 | $45,201 | $118,700 | 67,939 |
| 19 | Jackson, MS | $1,018 | $43,238 | $108,200 | 149,827 |
| 20 | Pharr, TX | $990 | $49,884 | $111,500 | 79,809 |
Data Sources
All data from the US Census Bureau American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates. Individual experiences may vary based on neighborhood, lifestyle, and personal circumstances.