These Are the Best Places for a Middle-Class Retirement That Won't Break the Bank, According to New Research About half of U.S. adults live in middle-income households. Here's where they should consider spending their golden years.

By Amanda Breen Edited by Jessica Thomas

Key Takeaways

  • Two in five U.S. seniors say they'll "never" move out of their house.
  • Retirees who do want to relocate must consider cost of living, among other factors.

Two in five U.S. seniors say they'll "never" move out of their house, according to a survey conducted by OnePoll on behalf of ClearMatchMedicare, per Talker.

However, Americans who are open to relocating in retirement have several factors to consider — and one of the most important is cost of living.

Although many dream of a luxurious, carefree retirement, the majority of Americans face a different reality. The typical worker believes they'll need $1.46 million to retire comfortably, but the average retirement account balance sits at just $88,400, per a Northwestern Mutual study.

Related: Retirees Are Raking in Billions With These 4 Side Hustles: 'There's No Age Limit to Innovation'

About half of U.S. adults (52%) lived in middle-income households in 2022, according to a Pew Research Center Analysis of the most recent available government data. Those approaching retirement age might wonder where their savings will stretch the furthest.

A new study from GOBankingRates set out to determine the top 30 best towns for middle-class retirement.

The research drew from U.S. Census and Federal Reserve data and analyzed cities across the country with a minimum population of 10,000 residents and at least 25% of that population aged 65 and over. Then, GOBankingRates factored in data including household median income, average home value, total annual cost of living and the average social security benefits.

Related: These Are the 5 Most Desirable Retirement Locations — But Most Retirees Can't Afford Them, New Data Reveals

Perhaps not surprisingly, the No. 1 spot went to a city in Florida: The Villages, which boasts a household median income of $73,415 and an annual cost of living of $48,808.

Two cities in Arizona followed — Green Valley City, with a household median income of $57,785 and an annual cost of living of $41,989 and Sun City West, with a household median income of $61,941 and an annual cost of living of $48,781.

Related: Younger Americans Don't Necessarily Want to Retire in Florida — and the 2 Affordable States at the Top of Their List Might Surprise You

See the full list of the best 30 places for a middle-class retirement, according to GoBankingRates' data, below:

1. The Villages, Florida

  • Household median income: $73,415
  • Single-family home average value: $408,342
  • Annual cost of living: $48,808
  • Average Social Security Benefits: $30,704

2. Green Valley City, Arizona

  • Household median income: $57,785
  • Single-family home average value: $321,915
  • Annual cost of living: $41,989
  • Average Social Security Benefits: $27,102

3. Sun City West, Arizona

  • Household median income: $61,941
  • Single-family home average value: $398,930
  • Annual cost of living: $48,781
  • Average Social Security Benefits: $28,190

4. Hot Springs Village, Arkansas

  • Household median income: $68,580
  • Single-family home average value: $305,455
  • Annual cost of living: $41,487
  • Average Social Security Benefits: $28,754

5. Venice, Florida

  • Household median income: $68,843
  • Single-family home average value: $466,895
  • Annual cost of living: $53,436
  • Average Social Security Benefits: $27,226

6. Sun City, Arizona

  • Household median income: $51,263
  • Single-family home average value: $329,036
  • Annual cost of living: $44,204
  • Average Social Security Benefits: $25,346

7. Sun City Center, Florida

  • Household median income: $64,661
  • Single-family home average value: $341,594
  • Annual cost of living: $45,845
  • Average Social Security Benefits: $26,759

8. Punta Gorda, Florida

  • Household median income: $75,898
  • Single-family home average value: $419,564
  • Annual cost of living: $49,123
  • Average Social Security Benefits: $28,854

9. Mesquite, Nevada

  • Household median income: $69,146
  • Single-family home average value: $406,306
  • Annual cost of living: $48,562
  • Average Social Security Benefits: $26,855

10. Englewood, Florida

  • Household median income: $61,734
  • Single-family home average value: $382,567
  • Annual cost of living: $47,686
  • Average Social Security Benefits: $25,610

11. Murrells Inlet, South Carolina

  • Household median income: $71,019
  • Single-family home average value: $438,475
  • Annual cost of living: $49,996
  • Average Social Security Benefits: $26,060

12. Pinehurst, North Carolina

  • Household median income: $102,917
  • Single-family home average value: $542,557
  • Annual cost of living: $57,335
  • Average Social Security Benefits: $28,853

13. Oro Valley, Arizona

  • Household median income: $101,394
  • Single-family home average value: $525,380
  • Annual cost of living: $56,423
  • Average Social Security Benefits: $29,587

14. Wildwood, Florida

  • Household median income: $68,121
  • Single-family home average value: $319,201
  • Annual cost of living: $42,621
  • Average Social Security Benefits: $28,259

15. Sebastian, Florida

  • Household median income: $65,650
  • Single-family home average value: $362,710
  • Annual cost of living: $46,421
  • Average Social Security Benefits: $23,019

16. Naples, Florida

  • Household median income: $135,657
  • Single-family home average value: $713,541
  • Annual cost of living: $69,932
  • Average Social Security Benefits: $30,538

17. Middleburg Heights, Ohio

  • Household median income: $74,109
  • Single-family home average value: $279,112
  • Annual cost of living: $38,585
  • Average Social Security Benefits: $23,154

18. Seven Hills, Ohio

  • Household median income: $91,975
  • Single-family home average value: $282,436
  • Annual cost of living: $39,049
  • Average Social Security Benefits: $24,539

19. Lady Lake, Florida

  • Household median income: $46,694
  • Single-family home average value: $328,600
  • Annual cost of living: $44,328
  • Average Social Security Benefits: $25,143

20. Centerville, Ohio

  • Household median income: $79,509
  • Single-family home average value: $329,817
  • Annual cost of living: $42,813
  • Average Social Security Benefits: $25,906

21. North Myrtle Beach, South Carolina

  • Household median income: $69,792
  • Single-family home average value: $506,656
  • Annual cost of living: $54,861
  • Average Social Security Benefits: $27,638

22. Gold Canyon, Arizona

  • Household median income: $83,654
  • Single-family home average value: $493,623
  • Annual cost of living: $55,036
  • Average Social Security Benefits: $32,475

23. Tavares, Florida

  • Household median income: $54,271
  • Single-family home average value: $328,077
  • Annual cost of living: $44,351
  • Average Social Security Benefits: $23,898

24. Kerrville, Texas

  • Household median income: $58,797
  • Single-family home average value: $354,444
  • Annual cost of living: $44,075
  • Average Social Security Benefits: $21,751

25. Pahrump, Nevada

  • Household median income: $54,988
  • Single-family home average value: $350,128
  • Annual cost of living: $44,349
  • Average Social Security Benefits: $23,592

26. Mountain Home, Arkansas

  • Household median income: $42,281
  • Single-family home average value: $224,906
  • Annual cost of living: $34,449
  • Average Social Security Benefits: $23,209

27. Greenville, Ohio

  • Household median income: $45,746
  • Single-family home average value: $159,902
  • Annual cost of living: $159,902
  • Average Social Security Benefits: $19,574

28. Lyndhurst, Ohio

  • Household median income: $84,697
  • Single-family home average value: $225,429
  • Annual cost of living: $35,093
  • Average Social Security Benefits: $22,809

29. Hermitage, Pennsylvania

  • Household median income: $66,922
  • Single-family home average value: $210,762
  • Annual cost of living: $34,178
  • Average Social Security Benefits: $24,091

30. Ormond Beach, Florida

  • Household median income: $65,238
  • Single-family home average value: $399,777
  • Annual cost of living: $48,401
  • Average Social Security Benefits: $22,946
Amanda Breen

Entrepreneur Staff

Senior Features Writer

Amanda Breen is a senior features writer at Entrepreneur.com. She is a graduate of Barnard College and received an MFA in writing at Columbia University, where she was a news fellow for the School of the Arts.

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