10 Midwest Cities That Present Retirees with Distinctive Worth and High quality of Life

The Midwest provides a fairly neat retirement bundle in relation to stretching your {dollars}. In lots of Midwestern cities, you may snag a three-bedroom home for what you’d pay for a tiny apartment in fashionable coastal cities. Plus, on a regular basis bills, together with groceries, utilities, and automobile insurance coverage, usually value much less in these states. You would possibly really feel like you may truly take pleasure in life—relatively than pinching pennies. 

In 2025, Investopedia and Journey + Leisure have recognized the high 50 finest locations to retire within the U.S. that can assist you just do that, together with 10 locations within the Midwest. Our editorial workers evaluated every location based mostly on revenue tax insurance policies, proximity to a significant airport, entry to well being care, and cultural actions.

However our predominant standards was affordability, and our high picks for retirement locations within the Midwest supply low value of dwelling mixed with different options that might make retirement life extra fulfilling and inexpensive. 

Prime Retirement Locations within the Midwest

1. Gregory, South Dakota 

Gregory, South Dakota is a tiny city of about 1,200 individuals situated in Gregory County, within the southeastern a part of the state. 

The price of housing within the space would possibly make your jaw drop in the event you’re used to metropolis costs; the median month-to-month value of housing is just $589. Month-to-month transportation and meals prices are additionally low, even by Midwestern requirements. The median house worth in Gregory County is $129,000, so in the event you’re contemplating promoting your own home in a pricier area to maneuver right here, you would probably purchase a spot in Gregory outright (and kiss these mortgage funds goodbye). 

In the event you’re on the lookout for a life-style stuffed with peace and quiet (and financial savings), Gregory is likely to be the place for you. And, in the event you’re used to having easy accessibility to eating places and purchasing choices close by, you may all the time drive a few hours to Eppley Airfield, in Omaha, Nebraska, and catch a flight to someplace with extra hustle and bustle.

2. Toledo, Ohio

The housing market in Toledo is fairly interesting. The median house worth hovers round $155,200. In the event you’re renting, it’s commonplace to discover a respectable place beneath $900 per 30 days. In Lucas County, the place Toledo is situated, the median month-to-month housing prices are $953.

Toledo has a bigger inhabitants—round 260,000—so that you’ll have some great benefits of a bigger metropolis, together with a well-liked zoo, an artwork museum, and proximity to different bigger cities, equivalent to Detroit and Cleveland. The Toledo Zoo has polar bears, rides, and an aquarium, whereas The Toledo Museum of Artwork is thought for its vital assortment of early trendy European artwork, together with works by Peter Paul Rubens, Artemisia Gentileschi, Frans Hals, Rachel Ruysch, and El Greco. The museum’s glass assortment can be notable and consists of examples of the studio glass motion, which originated in Toledo.

3. Poplar Bluff, Missouri

Poplar Bluff is an enthralling Midwestern city, nestled within the foothills of the Ozark Mountains in southeastern Missouri. In the event you’re a lover of mountaineering and tenting, Poplar Bluff is near the Mark Twain Nationwide Forest. For followers of fishing or kayaking, Lake Wappapello, a lovely 8,400-acre lake, is only a brief drive away. The Ozark Nationwide Scenic Riverways, well-known for its crystal-clear springs and caves, are additionally close by.

The median house worth in Butler County, the place Poplar Bluff is situated, is $138,800. On common individuals in Butler County spend round $1,230 month-to-month on transportation. Month-to-month meals prices in Butler County common round $536. 

On the subject of taxes, the state of Missouri provides a fairly good outlook for retirees. The state doesn’t tax Social Safety advantages. Nonetheless, withdrawals out of your IRA, 401(ok) account, or pension could also be taxed relying in your revenue.

4. Corning, Iowa

Life in Corning, Iowa is critically budget-friendly. Corning is a tiny little city in Adams County, with just one,465 individuals, within the southeastern area of Iowa.

You need to be capable to snag a pleasant home for an affordable value; the median house worth in Adams County is $116,900. Different month-to-month bills are mild on the pockets, too. Median month-to-month meals prices in Adams County are round $589, whereas transportation prices are available at $1,455 per 30 days. Iowa gained’t tax your Social Safety advantages, they usually’ve acquired some good breaks on different retirement revenue, too. The state doesn’t tax any withdrawals from IRAs, 401(ok) accounts, or pensions. 

Whereas Corning’s declare to fame is likely to be because the birthplace of Johnny Carson, the pure fantastic thing about the area can be notable. Outside lovers who need an energetic way of life in retirement will really feel at house in Adams County; there are lots of parks the place you may hike and camp, and you’ll go fishing and boating at Lake Icaria. 

5. Farmington, Missouri

Farmington, Missouri provides some fairly engaging numbers for retirees. The median house worth in St. Francois County is $155,100, which is approach beneath the nationwide common. 

In your day-to-day bills, you are taking a look at about $577 per 30 days for meals and $1,239 month-to-month for transportation. The state of Missouri does not tax Social Safety advantages for retirees, though the state might tax withdrawals from IRAs, 401(ok)s, and pension funds. 

For a metropolis of round 19,000 individuals, Farmington provides a whole lot of facilities. The Farmington Civic Heart provides actions for adults, plus two indoor swimming pools, an indoor observe, and three courts for volleyball, basketball, or tennis. For retirees who prefer to get outdoors, Farmington is true on the sting of the Mark Twain Nationwide Forest. 

6. Youngstown, Ohio

Youngstown, Ohio is a Rust Belt metropolis with a status for being retiree-friendly. It’s situated on the Mahoning River in Northeast Ohio, on the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains.

The general housing bundle in Youngstown is beneath the nationwide common. The median house worth in Mahoning County is round $141,000, whereas median housing prices are available at $792.

Different bills are cheap, too. The median month-to-month value of meals in Mahoning County is round $669. Getting round will value you about $1,181 per 30 days. 

Youngstown is an attention-grabbing mixture of small-town vibes and complicated, big-city perks. Dubbed “America’s Museum,” the Butler Institute of American Artwork is devoted to celebrating America’s visible arts heritage. (And it’s free!) The DeYor Performing Arts Heart, house to the Youngstown Symphony Orchestra, was based by the Warner Brothers in 1931 earlier than the brothers moved to Hollywood (and the remainder is historical past).  And Youngstown State College hosts many cultural occasions, together with the Summer time Pageant of the Arts. 

Lovely outside locations are usually not removed from Youngstown. Mill Creek Park has 4,400 acres of gardens, lakes, and trails proper within the metropolis. Plus, Ohio does not tax Social Safety revenue, which is a pleasant break for retirees.

7. Bay Metropolis, Michigan

Bay Metropolis, situated simply upriver from the Saginaw Bay, is a quaint metropolis the place you may stay fairly properly with out breaking the financial institution. One of many largest attracts of Bay Metropolis is the approach to life; it has a pleasant, small-city really feel whereas nonetheless providing loads to do. 

The median house worth in Bay County hovers round $135,000, which is decrease than different components of Michigan and decrease than the nationwide common. Month-to-month bills are cheap, too: a two-person family in Bay County would possibly spend round $588 per 30 days on meals. Taxes in Bay County are similar to different cities on this record: $580 per 30 days, and median transportation prices per 30 days are $1,193. 

Given the low value of dwelling, there are a shocking variety of issues to do in Bay Metropolis. The historic downtown space boasts stunning Victorian structure and many native outlets and eating places. The historic State Theatre hosts live shows and reveals all year long. In the meantime, the Bay Metropolis Gamers, one in every of Michigan’s oldest group theaters, places on common productions. 

8. Mason Metropolis, Iowa

Mason Metropolis, Iowa is a medium-sized metropolis in north central Iowa, situated midway between the capital cities of St. Paul, Minnesota and Des Moines, Iowa.

For a metropolis its measurement, Mason Metropolis has a surprisingly wealthy cultural scene. Music Man Sq. celebrates town’s connection to composer Meredith Willson. The Charles H. MacNider Artwork Museum, housed in a former convent, provides free admission to all guests. Structure buffs will love the Historic Park Inn Lodge, the final remaining Frank Lloyd Wright-designed lodge on the earth. Retirees may take pleasure in a pleasant number of occasions on the North Iowa Space Neighborhood Faculty via the Performing Arts & Management Collection, which has featured Tony- and Grammy-winning artists. 

The price of dwelling in Mason Metropolis, Iowa is a significant draw for retirees. In Cerro Gordo County, the median house worth is $154,100, which suggests you will get a pleasant place with out breaking the financial institution. Month-to-month bills are cheap, too: A pair in Cerro Gordo County spends a median of $866 per 30 days on housing bills, $650 on groceries and meals, and $1,258 on transportation. The state of Iowa doesn’t tax Social Safety advantages, they usually gained’t tax any withdrawals out of your IRA, 401(ok) accounts, or pension funds.

9. Saginaw, Michigan

Saginaw, Michigan is a medium-sized metropolis, with a inhabitants of round 43,000, situated alongside the Saginaw River. The town is taken into account a part of the Larger Tri-Cities area of Central Michigan, which incorporates Saginaw, Bay Metropolis (one other metropolis that made it on our record), and Midland.

In the event you’re planning to make a transfer in retirement, it’s essential to ensure town you’re relocating to has a vibrant and energetic social scene for retirees. In Saginaw, you gained’t be upset. A number of senior facilities in Saginaw County arrange common actions for the group. The town provides leisure choices, together with the Saginaw Valley Rail Path for strolling and biking and several other golf programs within the space. Throughout summer season, occasions at Ojibway Island and the Friday Night time Reside live performance collection convey the group collectively.

The median house worth in Saginaw County is $139,400, which provides you a whole lot of bang on your buck. A two-person family in Saginaw County can anticipate to spend $866 per 30 days on housing, $1,211 per 30 days on transportation, $588 per 30 days on groceries, and $591 per 30 days on taxes. 

10. Muncie, Indiana

Muncie, Indiana is situated in east central Indiana, about 50 miles northeast of Indianapolis. The final metropolis on our record has many perks as a result of it’s a school city (house to Ball State College). The college brings in numerous cultural occasions and leisure choices. The David Owsley Museum of Artwork on campus is free and has a formidable assortment. The Muncie Civic Theatre levels common productions, and Emens Auditorium at Ball State College brings touring reveals, live shows, and audio system.

The price of dwelling in Muncie can be a giant plus. In Delaware County, you’ll find properties with a median worth of round $127,600, making housing fairly inexpensive. The median value of meals in Delaware County is $579 per 30 days, and transportation prices often run about $1,180 month-to-month. Residents of Delaware County pay $821 per 30 days for housing bills, on common.

The Backside Line

With cheap housing costs and a decrease value of dwelling than many different areas of the U.S., the Midwest offers you with the monetary respiratory room to take pleasure in your retirement years. All the cities included on this record supply median house costs beneath $200,000. Your cash typically goes additional for all the pieces from groceries to leisure, and plenty of Midwest states have pleasant tax insurance policies for retirees.

The healthcare state of affairs is sweet, too. There are world-class medical facilities within the area, and even in mid-sized cities, you may often discover robust regional hospitals. 

Plus, Midwestern metros have tons to supply when it comes to arts, recreation, and entry to the good outside. Whether or not you are a metropolis particular person or small-town devotee, you may discover areas that suit your pursuits in addition to your retirement price range.

To be taught extra about how we created this record of finest locations to retire within the Midwestern U.S., learn our methodology.