Best Places to Retire in the Northeast in 2026, Ranked by What Retirees Value Most

What's the best place to retire? To answer that question, The Motley Fool surveyed 2,000 retired Americans to understand what matters most in retirement and used those insights to rank the best places to retire across the United States.

Based on the survey results, The Motley Fool identified seven key retirement factors and weighted each according to retiree preferences: quality of life (31%), healthcare access and quality (15%), housing affordability (13%), crime and safety (12%), weather and climate (12%), state and local taxes (11%), and non-housing affordability (6%). These weightings were applied to secondary data from eight public and institutional datasets to calculate a final retirement score for every U.S. county, reflecting real retiree needs and preferences rather than assumptions about where people “should” retire. Counties were excluded if their population was below 40,000, their quality-of-life score was below 35, or their housing affordability score was below 35. The full methodology and data sources are available at the end of the report.

The Motley Fool’s Best Places to Retire list reflects what retirees value most on average, but there’s no single “right” retirement destination for everyone. The best place to retire depends on personal priorities and expected retirement income. For some, that means keeping costs low so that savings and investments in their retirement accounts go further. Others may place more weight on access to amenities or choosing a more expensive location with great weather.

With that in mind, here's The Motley Fool’s Best Places to Retire in the Northeast list.

The Best Places to Retire in the Northeast

1. Philadelphia, Philadelphia County, Pennsylvania

Philadelphia is rich in revolutionary history, home to famous icons like the Liberty Bell, and offers a top-notch urban living experience, including excellent public transportation and cultural amenities.

Pros: Historical sites; pro sports teams; Philadelphia Museum of Art and other cultural institutions; walkable and strong public transportation network; plenty of fine dining and retail options; and Penn Medicine offers world-class healthcare.
Cons: Somewhat expensive housing, high property taxes, and high sales taxes make living in Philly expensive; some areas of the city have above-average crime rates; and the winter is cold with potential for snowstorms.

2. Armstrong County, Pennsylvania

Armstrong County is best known for country living, outdoor recreation, and affordable housing away from the rat race.

Pros: Affordable housing; very low cost of living; rural living with low population density; reasonably close commute to Pittsburgh; outdoor activities along the Kiskiminetas River; strong community ties; and limited traffic.
Cons: Few local retail, entertainment, or dining options; very limited public transportation; limited local access to healthcare; limited economic base means that some areas are lacking in public services and amenities on offer.

3. Pittsburgh, Allegheny County, Pennsylvania

Pittsburgh is an affordable metro area that's home to the Carnegie Museum as well as an extensive system of parks and riverfront trails, including Point State Park and Three Rivers Heritage Trail.

Pros: Housing and overall cost of living are both low for a major metro area; cultural amenities, including Heinz Hall and the Carnegie Museum; UPCM and other top-notch healthcare facilities, though overall health outcomes are mixed; options for commuting on public transportation; and outdoor activities, including parks, rivers, and trails like the Point State Park and Three Rivers Heritage Trail.
Cons: More public staircases than any other city in the U.S., which can be hard for seniors to navigate; property taxes well above national averages; urban blight in some areas; air quality issues; and snow and ice during the winter season.

4. Williamsport, Lycoming County, Pennsylvania

Williamsport offers affordable housing, top-notch outdoor recreation in the PA Wilds, gorgeous architecture in historic neighborhoods, and, of course, access to its claim to fame: the Little League Museum.

Pros: Iconic sports history as the home of Little League baseball; lumber-era architecture throughout historic neighborhoods; hiking and other outdoor recreational activities in the PA Wilds; affordable housing and a very low cost of living; and local access to UPMC Williamsport for high-quality healthcare, though overall healthcare outcomes are below average.
Cons: Historic older homes sometimes translate to high renovation costs; economic hardship in some parts of the city; not walkable and limited public transportation; cold winters with risk of snow; and fewer cultural amenities than other Pennsylvania metro areas.

5. Skowhegan, Somerset County, Maine

Skowhegan offers small-town living in a historic New England mill town as well as community events like the Skowhegan State Fair that provide unique recreational opportunities.

Pros: Rural New England living; affordable homes; lower-than-average cost of living; small-town community events; outdoor activities along the Kennebec River; and a downtown that is in the process of being revitalized, offering a growing number of dining, retail, and cultural amenities.
Cons: Cold winters with lots of snow; taxes are high; absence of top-notch local healthcare options; major airports are at least an hour away; and no public transportation options means you'll be car dependent and may have to drive to larger metro areas to gain access to more retail, cultural, or recreational events than the local area offers.

6. Providence, Providence County, Rhode Island

Home to both Brown University and RISD, Providence offers lifelong learning opportunities, access to gorgeous New England beaches, and ample cultural amenities.

Pros: Vibrant communities centered around top colleges; low cost of living and low crime; ample dining and shopping experiences; public transportation options, including Amtrak and MBTA commuter rail; and access to New England beaches, including Narragansett Bay.
Cons: Expensive housing; high cost of living; terrible traffic during tourist season; areas with higher-than-average crime rates; and expensive state and local taxes that exceed what most Sun Belt states charge.

7. Bensalem, Bucks County, Pennsylvania

Bensalem is a fast-growing suburban area that is home to Parx Casino, close to Neshaminy State Park, and convenient to Philadelphia.

Pros: Suburban living with big-city access; plentiful dining and entertainment options; below-average cost of living; outdoor recreation at Neshaminy State Park; and crime rates below those of many other major metro areas in PA.
Cons: High housing expenses, including property taxes and home costs; cold winters with snow risk; high levels of traffic congestion and few walkable areas; below-average local healthcare outcomes; and most cultural activities require driving into Philadelphia.

8. Allentown, Lehigh County, Pennsylvania

Allentown is a bustling city in the Lehigh Valley that is transitioning from its role as an industrial hub, with a newly revitalized, vibrant downtown area, access to Dorney Park & Wildwater Kingdom, and numerous cultural amenities.

Pros: Affordable cost of living; culture and entertainment options at PPL Center and ArtsWalk; outdoor recreation at Lehigh Parkway; a fast-growing downtown area with retail and dining options; very low crime; and a convenient location near New York and Philadelphia to enjoy big-city amenities while living in a calmer area focused on community.
Cons: Property taxes are high; many homes are older; winters can be long and cold; commuting to New York and Philly can mean getting stuck in traffic during peak periods; and there is very limited public transportation, so retirees are car dependent.

9. Aroostook County, Maine

Aroostook County offers an abundance of natural beauty and areas with a college-town feel, as it's home to the University of Maine at Presque Isle and Northern Maine Community College.

Pros: Close-knit community with events throughout the year; cost of living and housing below those of many New England communities; year-round outdoor recreation, including ski trails and hiking; lifetime educational opportunities at the University of Maine at Presque Isle; and scenic rural landscapes.
Cons: Limited local options for shopping, dining, and entertainment; visiting a larger city may be necessary for specialized healthcare; no real options for public transportation; and longer driving times to major airports, although there is a small regional airport in the area.

10. Dover, Strafford County, New Hampshire

Dover is a walkable area close to beaches with a vibrant downtown, scenic river views, an affordable cost of living, and an easy drive to both Boston and Portland.

Pros: Costs below those of many other New England metro areas; easy proximity to beaches, Portsmouth, Boston, and Portland; plenty of outdoor recreational opportunities, including walking trails; and close proximity to the University of New Hampshire campus in Durham.
Cons: Housing prices have climbed in recent years; very limited public transportation; higher-than-average property taxes; long, cold winters with risk of snow; and tourist traffic can lead to crowds in the summer and fall.

11. Carroll County, New Hampshire

Home to historic towns like Wolfeboro and Conway, Carroll County has a large retiree population and an abundance of outdoor recreational areas, including White Mountain National Forest.

Pros: Favorable tax rules for retirees, including no state income tax and no sales tax; lower-than-average cost of living; ample outdoor recreational activities; and quaint towns with art galleries and dining establishments.
Cons: Although most taxes are low, property taxes are high; limited access to healthcare services means you may need to travel to Portland, Maine, or Manchester, New Hampshire, for specialist care; winters can be long and harsh with snow and cold weather.

12. Jersey City, Hudson County, New Jersey

Jersey City offers proximity to New York City and skyline views without Manhattan prices, as well as walkable areas, top-notch public transportation, and plenty of dining and travel options.

Pros: Walkable neighborhoods and abundant public transport options, including PATH trains, buses, and ferries, make car-free living possible; close proximity to Newark International Airport makes travel simple; top-notch healthcare options in the region; low cost of living; and plenty of retail, dining, and cultural activities.
Cons: Very high housing costs; some of the country's highest property taxes; dense urban areas can make parking difficult and lead to traffic congestion; and heavy tourism can lead to crowds.

13. Paterson, Passaic County, New Jersey

Paterson is home to Great Falls National Historic Park and was established as the first planned industrial city in America. It's close to New York City – and has the price tag to prove it – but it does offer lower costs than some other New Jersey suburbs.

Pros: Proximity to New York City and all that it offers, including fine dining, cultural and entertainment options, and top-notch healthcare services; outdoor recreational opportunities are plentiful at Great Falls National Historic Park; and the cost of living is lower than in many other surrounding suburbs.
Cons: Property taxes are still high, as are housing costs; and some areas of the city lack updated infrastructure.

14. Buffalo, Erie County, New York

Known as the "City of Good Neighbors," Buffalo has seen its downtown go through a revitalization that offers more opportunities for dining and entertainment while still maintaining a low cost of living.

Pros: Below-average cost of living; homes are more affordable than the national average; top-notch healthcare options, including specialty providers like Roswell Cancer Center; access to Niagara Falls; close and convenient access to Buffalo Niagara International Airport; and recreational opportunities in a revitalized downtown, including museums and theaters.
Cons: High state taxes in New York; older housing stock means there may be more need for updates and renovations; some areas of the city still suffer from urban blight; and winters can be long and snowy.

Discover more of the best places to retire

The 50 Best Places to Retire in the U.S. in 2026, Ranked by What Retirees Value Most

The Motley Fool analyzed every U.S. county to find the best retirement locations

The Best Places to Retire in the South in 2026, Ranked by What Retirees Value Most

The Motley Fool analyzed every U.S. county to find the best retirement locations in the South

The Best Places to Retire in the West in 2026, Ranked by What Retirees Value Most

The Motley Fool analyzed every U.S. county to find the best retirement locations in the West

The Best Places to Retire in the Midwest in 2026, Ranked by What Retirees Value Most

The Motley Fool analyzed every U.S. county to find the best retirement locations in the Midwest

Methodology

How The Motley Fool Identified the Best Places to Retire in America

Choosing where to retire is a deeply personal decision, but retirees consistently prioritize a few key needs: affordability, safety, access to healthcare, and quality of life.

The Motley Fool’s Best Places to Retire Index combines secondary data about each location with primary data on what retired Americans say matters most when picking where to live.

This hybrid approach creates a ranking that is both data driven and human centered – a methodology built by retirees for retirees.

Survey-Informed Weights

The Motley Fool surveyed 2,000 retired Americans aged 55 and above in December 2025 via Pollfish and employed a constant-sum approach (100 points), allowing respondents to clearly allocate points across the factors that mattered most to them when choosing a place to retire. Their average point allocations formed the weights given to scores for each retirement-location factor.

Ranking	Retirement Factor	Weight (%)
1	Healthcare access & quality	14.47
2	Housing affordability	13.10
3	Crime & safety	12.13
4	Weather & climate comfort	11.56
5	Taxes (state + local burden)	11.45
6	Nonhousing affordability (everyday expenses)	5.93

Ranking	Quality of Life	Weight (%)
	Total	31.35
1	Restaurant options	6.48
2	Walkability	5.49
3	Access to outdoor recreation	5.45
4	Access to retirement communities	4.14
5	Arts & entertainment options	3.77
6	Proximity to an airport	3.11
7	Public transit access	2.91

Final scores reflect what retirees value most, not what we assume they value.

Survey Method Details

Survey was conducted online on Dec. 2, 2025, via Pollfish.
Survey respondents were U.S. retirees 55 years and older.
Survey results were post-stratified to reflect nationally representative data based on age and gender.
Pollfish employs organic random device engagement sampling, a statistical method that recruits respondents through a randomized invitation process across various digital platforms. This technique helps to minimize selection bias and ensure a diverse participant pool.

How Each Factor Was Scored

Scores were computed at both the county and state levels. All data were normalized on a min–max scale before applying survey weights.

Each factor below includes the justification readers care about most: why it matters to retirees.

Healthcare Access & Quality

Why it matters: Aging well requires reliable care, specialists, and strong healthcare outcomes. Healthcare outcomes measure whether people get healthier, live longer, and maintain a good quality of life.
Sources:

University of Wisconsin County Health Rankings (local outcomes & access)
United Health Foundation’s 2025 Senior Report (state-level system performance)

Housing Affordability

Why it matters: Home costs are the No. 1 expense in retirement and drive relocation decisions.
Source: Zillow Home Value Index (October 2025)

Counties with a housing affordability score below 35 were excluded.

Non-Housing Affordability

Why it matters: Day-to-day expenses – food, transportation, utilities – determine how far savings stretch.
Source: Economic Policy Institute Family Budget Calculator

Taxes

Why it matters: State and local tax burdens directly affect retirement income sustainability.
Sources:

Tax Foundation (effective tax burden)
EPI Family Budget Calculator (county-level effective rates)

Weather & Climate Comfort

Why it matters: Retirees seek comfortable climates that support year-round activity.
Source: NOAA NCEI temperature & precipitation averages (2020–2025)

Crime & Safety

Why it matters: Personal safety ranks as a top emotional and financial priority.
Source: FBI Crime Data Explorer – violent, property, and social offense rates

Quality-of-Life Components

Retirement isn’t only about saving money, it’s about living well.

We measured features that enable connection, mobility, recreation, and fulfilling lifestyles:

Component	Why It Matters	Source
Restaurant options	Local culture, social connection	Census County Business Patterns NAICS 722
Arts & entertainment	Enrichment & active lifestyles	Census County Business Patterns NAICS 71
Walkability	Independent mobility, aging-in-place	EPA National Walkability Index
Public transit access	Car-free access to essentials	EPA Transit Accessibility Tool
Access to outdoor recreation	Active aging & well-being	CDC NEPHTN
Access to retirement communities	Supportive aging options	Census County Business Patterns NAICS 6233
Proximity to airport	Travel access to family/friends	USDOT County Transportation Profiles

Data sets were spatially aligned to counties and aggregated to states when necessary for consistency and national comparison.

Counties with a quality-of-life score below 35 were excluded.

Counties with a population of less than 40,000 were excluded.

About the Author

Christy Bieber is a contributing Motley Fool retirement and Social Security expert covering retirement planning, 401(k)s, IRAs, and other personal finance topics. Christy has written about finance since 2008 and previously taught business courses at Bryant & Stratton College. She holds a law degree from UCLA and a bachelor’s degree in English, media, and communication with a certificate in business management from the University of Rochester. In law school, she earned three CALI Awards for Excellence for the highest scores in civil procedure and contract law exams.

TMFChristyB

The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.

The Best Places to Retire in the Northeast in 2026, Ranked by What Retirees Value Most

The Motley Fool analyzed every U.S. county using primary and secondary data, including survey insights from 2,000 retired Americans, to identify the best retirement locations in the Norhteast

Key Points