6. Chicago, Cook County, Illinois
Quality of life: 56 | Healthcare: 36 | Housing: 52 | Cost of living: 74 | Crime: 76 | Tax: 28 | Climate: 68 | Total retirement score: 54
Chicago is one of the most vibrant cities in the Midwest, with many iconic cultural institutions to enjoy, as well as waterfront recreation and lifelong learning opportunities at major universities.
- Pros: Unmatched cultural enrichment opportunities, including the Field Museum and the Art Institute of Chicago; world-class healthcare at Northwestern Memorial Hospital and the University of Chicago Medical Center; plentiful dining, shopping, and retail opportunities; and lakefront recreation at Millennium Park, the Chicago Lakefront Trail, and Lincoln Park.
- Cons: High taxes; above-average crime in some neighborhoods, although countywide rates are manageable; city fees can be high; parking can be difficult and expensive; tourists can cause overcrowding; and winters are harsh with windy lake conditions.
7. Port Huron, St. Clair County, Michigan
Quality of life: 40 | Healthcare: 34 | Housing: 57 | Cost of living: 79 | Crime: 76 | Tax: 64 | Climate: 67 | Total retirement score: 54
Port Huron offers the classic comfort of small-town life, with affordable housing and scenic trails, but also adds waterfront attractions and a strong maritime history.
- Pros: Blue Water Bridge, Lighthouse Beach, and Lakeside Park provide waterfront recreational opportunities; Port Huron Museum and Huron Lightship Museum showcase maritime history; housing prices are below those of other metro areas in Michigan; downtown is walkable and offers scenic river views, and local healthcare is available at McLaren Port Huron Hospital.
- Cons: More limited shopping and cultural amenities compared with larger cities; limited access to public transportation; seasonal tourism can lead to large crowds; and the winter is cold, with the potential for snow.
8. Fort Wayne, Allen County, Indiana
Quality of life: 38 | Healthcare: 34 | Housing: 58 | Cost of living: 82 | Crime: 79 | Tax: 62 | Climate: 68 | Total retirement score: 54
Fort Wayne's downtown revitalization has provided an abundance of new amenities, including retail and dining, to complement cultural institutions like the Fort Wayne Museum of Art.
- Pros: Low cost of living; affordable housing; access to cultural enrichment at the Fort Wayne Museum of Art and Embassy Theatre; riverfront amenities like Promenade Park, Headwaters Park, and Rivergreenway Trail offer outdoor recreational activities; and Fort Wayne International Airport offers over a dozen nonstop destinations and connections worldwide to make travel easy.
- Cons: Limited public transportation options; higher crime rates in certain areas, though countywide rates are low; lacks the variety of amenities that larger cities offer; and the weather isn't great, with humid summers and harsh winters.
9. Minneapolis, Hennepin County, Minnesota
Quality of life: 57 | Healthcare: 19 | Housing: 48 | Cost of living: 74 | Crime: 74 | Tax: 40 | Climate: 64 | Total retirement score: 52
Minneapolis has something for everyone, from the Walker Art Center for culture aficionados to Lake Harriet, Minnehaha Falls, and an abundance of other urban lakes and parks for outdoor lovers.
- Pros: Many options for outdoor recreational activity; light rail access via the Blue Line connects you to St. Paul and Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport via public transportation for easy travel; many cultural amenities, retail establishments, and dining options; and a walkable and bikeable urban layout.
- Cons: Higher taxes than many retirement destinations in the Sun Belt; subpar overall health outcomes for the county; congested traffic conditions on major roadways; above-average crime in some areas of the city, though countywide rates are manageable; and winters that are long, snowy, and cold.
10. Grand Forks County, North Dakota
Quality of life: 39 | Healthcare: 19 | Housing: 55 | Cost of living: 91 | Crime: 78 | Tax: 63 | Climate: 61 | Total retirement score: 51
The University of North Dakota enriches life in Grand Forks County, providing ample access to cultural opportunities and fostering strong civic engagement in this affordable area.
- Pros: Affordable housing, extremely low average cost of living; low crime; Chester Fritz Auditorium and the North Dakota Museum of Art offer cultural enrichment opportunities; Riverside Park and the Greenway Trail system provide outdoor recreational opportunities; and the University of North Dakota anchors a vibrant and engaged community.
- Cons: Limited travel options at Grand Forks International Airport; fewer local healthcare options, especially for specialists; car-dependent layout with limited public transportation; flood risk due to the Red River; and harsh winter weather, including extreme cold and a high blizzard risk.
11. Oakland County, Michigan
Quality of life: 41 | Healthcare: 19 | Housing: 49 | Cost of living: 78 | Crime: 76 | Tax: 63 | Climate: 66 | Total retirement score: 51
Oakland County offers an easy drive to Detroit but with a much more suburban environment that includes parks and lakes as well as local upscale shopping and dining options.
- Pros: Shopping and dining opportunities; outdoor recreational opportunities at Kensington Metropark, Independence Oaks, and the Bloomfield area lakes; very low cost of living and manageable taxes; low crime rates relative to state and national rates; and easy access to Detroit for shopping, art museums, theater, and healthcare services.
- Cons: Housing costs are high in the most in-demand suburbs, traffic can be very heavy on I-75; limited public transportation and a car-dependent lifestyle; higher-than-average property taxes; and cold winters.
12. Wood County, Ohio
Quality of life: 36 | Healthcare: 24 | Housing: 59 | Cost of living: 83 | Crime: 71 | Tax: 53 | Climate: 70 | Total retirement score: 50
Wood County offers small-town charm, a college-town feel thanks to Bowling Green State University, and access to healthcare and other amenities a short drive away in Toledo.
- Pros: Many cultural events connected to the university, including lectures and events at the BGSU Wolfe Center for the Arts; outdoor recreation at W.W. Knight Preserve and Wintergarden Woods; and a very low cost of living.
- Cons: Minimal public transportation leads to high dependence on cars; fewer museums and cultural options than other major cities; a small employment base limits public tax revenue and public services; and the winter brings cold weather and potential for snow.
13. Johnson County, Missouri
Quality of life: 38 | Healthcare: 31 | Housing: 56 | Cost of living: 76 | Crime: 36 | Tax: 63 | Climate: 72 | Total retirement score: 48
Johnson County is home to the University of Central Missouri, which provides options for lifelong learning and cultural enrichment.
- Pros: The University of Central Missouri offers cultural and academic events; many community events in the Johnson County area occur each year, including local festivals; outdoor recreational activities are plentiful at Cave Hollow Park and Lion’s Lake; and a low cost of living, including affordable housing costs.
- Cons: Limited access to specialty healthcare locally; car-dependent lifestyle with limited public transportation; crime rates are relatively high; fewer major theatres and museums compared to a larger city; summers are hot and winters are cold.
14. Aurora, DuPage County, Illinois
Quality of life: 53 | Healthcare: 13 | Housing: 45 | Cost of living: 50 | Crime: 76 | Tax: 27 | Climate: 68 | Total retirement score: 47
A revitalized downtown in the affordable suburb of Aurora means you don't have to visit nearby Chicago to enjoy dining, cultural activities, and recreation.
- Pros: Paramount Theatre, Aurora Regional Fire Museum, and the SciTech Hands-On Museum offer cultural enrichment opportunities; cost of living and housing expenses are lower than in many Chicago suburbs, although not below the national average; RiverEdge Park, Phillips Park, and Fox River Trail offer opportunities for outdoor recreation; and commuter rail access to downtown Chicago is available via Metra BNSF lines.
- Cons: High traffic on local roads, including I-88; countywide healthcare outcomes are lacking; high property taxes compared to other retirement locations; public transportation is available only in the downtown area; and accessing plentiful retail, dining, and cultural opportunities requires a visit to Chicago.
