The Best Small Towns in the U.S. for Retirement

Approaching retirement comes with many responsibilities and questions, such as how to make your dollar stretch further so you can live your optimal golden years. To do that, you may need to move somewhere new, just like over a quarter of a million Americans did in 2024.

In January, GoBankingRates released its list of the best small towns to retire in the U.S. These, the company reported, are small communities with populations between 1,000 and 10,000 residents that were ranked based on their cost of living, rent, crime rates, and overall livability. Or, as GoBankingRates puts it, they are the”kind of place where you can relax on your porch or find that a run-in with your neighbors in the town square becomes a late-night catching up.”

The list is topped by Maplewood, Missouri, located just eight miles west of St. Louis. According to GoBankingRates, the monthly cost of living in Maplewood is $2,810, and its livability score is 87 out of 100. 

Maplewood has just 8,073 residents, ensuring a tight-knit community. And while retirees are surely welcome—about 10 percent of its population is aged 65 and over—AreaVibes noted that “Maplewood could be a great place for young adults and students as the average age of 33 years old is below the nation’s average.”

The community also ranks No. 1 in the state on AreaVibes and in the top 10 percent of all cities. It scored an A+ for its cost of living and education, an A- for housing (Zillow estimates the median home value to be $257,573), and a B for employment. 

Maplewood has roots going back to the late 1700s, and as St.Louis grew, so did the town, which by 1896 was reachable via an electric streetcar. Nowadays, visitors and residents can stroll through its historic downtown, lined with shops and restaurants. In fact, downtown Maplewood is the nation's first Green Dining District, where businesses promote sustainable practices such as serving fresh, local produce, reducing waste, composting, and recycling.

Other top cities to make GoBankingRates' list include Sharpsburg, Pennsylvania, in second, followed by Brentwood, Pennsylvania. Alamo Heights, Texas, and Riverdale, Utah, round out the top five best small towns to retire.

See the full list at gobankingrates.com.