6. Providence, Providence County, Rhode Island
Quality of life: 41 | Healthcare: 32 | Housing: 44 | Cost of living: 78 | Crime: 86 | Tax: 43 | Climate: 64 | Total retirement score: 51
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
Quality of life: 52 | Healthcare: 22 | Housing: 41 | Cost of living: 66 | Crime: 69 | Tax: 49 | Climate: 68 | Total retirement score: 51
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
Quality of life: 35 | Healthcare: 31 | Housing: 49 | Cost of living: 72 | Crime: 87 | Tax: 47 | Climate: 66 | Total retirement score: 49
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
Quality of life: 38 | Healthcare: 37 | Housing: 68 | Cost of living: 66 | Crime: 64 | Tax: 37 | Climate: 56 | Total retirement score: 49
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
Quality of life: 39 | Healthcare: 24 | Housing: 42 | Cost of living: 71 | Crime: 84 | Tax: 51 | Climate: 61 | Total retirement score: 49
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
Quality of life: 44 | Healthcare: 22 | Housing: 42 | Cost of living: 75 | Crime: 59 | Tax: 58 | Climate: 59 | Total retirement score: 48
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
Quality of life: 41 | Healthcare: 31 | Housing: 36 | Cost of living: 67 | Crime: 76 | Tax: 27 | Climate: 70 | Total retirement score: 46
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
Quality of life: 35 | Healthcare: 39 | Housing: 38 | Cost of living: 65 | Crime: 76 | Tax: 24 | Climate: 66 | Total retirement score: 45
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
Quality of life: 35 | Healthcare: 32 | Housing: 54 | Cost of living: 73 | Crime: 73 | Tax: 7 | Climate: 64 | Total retirement score: 44
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.
