Iowa City, Iowa
The historic college town (University of Iowa) of 78,000, in southeastern Iowa, is a repeat top 25 entry from last year’s Forbes rankings.
Among the pros: Median home price of $298,000, 27% below national average. Outstanding ratio of primary care physicians per capita. Very bikeable. State income tax is a flat 3.8%, with no tax on Social Security or other retirement income. No state estate or inheritance tax.
Con: Cold winters.
Lincoln, Neb.
This state capital and college town (University of Nebraska) of 305,000, 50 miles southwest of Omaha, as also on last year’s Forbes list.
Among the pros: Median home price of $291,000, 29% below national median. Very bikeable, somewhat walkable.
Con: State inheritance tax hits anything left to relatives other than spouse, with partial exemptions for other immediate family members.
Midland, Mich.
Forbes calls this a “graceful river city of 43,000,” 130 miles northwest of Detroit. Midland was also the No. 1 “Best Place for Retirement 2026” in the latest U.S. News & World Report rankings for its affordability and low taxes.
Pros: Median home price of $247,000, 40% below national median. Excellent ratio of primary care doctors per capita. Extremely low serious crime rate. Good air quality. Favorable retiree tax climate. Relatively low FEMA vulnerability to natural hazards.
Con: Cold winters.
Pittsburgh
“Pittsburgh, which also has frosty winters, is another long-time favorite—on for the ninth year in a row, despite its above-average crime rate,” Forbes writes.
The writeup notes the scenic Pennsylvania city of 310,000 is brimming with rivers and colleges (Carnegie Mellon University, University of Pittsburgh, Duquesne University, Chatham University).
Among the pros: Median home price of $238,000, 42% below national median. Excellent ratio of primary care doctors per capita. Very bikeable and walkable. State has flat 3.07% income tax, with Social Security and most retirement income excluded from the tax.
Cons: Cold winters, and state inheritance tax hits entire estate and all heirs other than a spouse.
San Antonio
Forbes notes this “spirited and fast-growing South Texas city of 1.57 million” (also on last year’s list) is now country’s sixth largest by population.
Pros: Median home price of $250,000, 39% below national median. No state income or estate tax. Somewhat bikeable. Ratio of primary care physicians to population near national average.
Con: Serious crime rate above national average.
Check out the complete Forbes “Best Places To Retire In 2026” list here.
SEE ALSO:
- ‘Best Places to Retire in 2025’ Share Common Traits
- 3 Takeaways from Forbes ‘Best Places to Retire in 2022’
- Midwest Tops Charts in U.S. News 2026 ‘Best Places to Retire’
Veteran financial services industry journalist Brian Anderson joined 401(k) Specialist as Managing Editor in January 2019. He has led editorial content for a variety of well-known properties including Insurance Forums, Life Insurance Selling, National Underwriter Life & Health, and Senior Market Advisor. He has always maintained a focus on providing readers with timely, useful information intended to help them build their business.