7 Most Affordable ‘Best Places to Retire’ in 2026: Forbes
Forbes is out with its new 25 best places to retire list today, and these are the ones with median home prices under $300,000
Forbes compared nearly 1,000 U.S. locations to come up with 25 that made its new “Best Places To Retire In 2026” list, out today, which identifies places offering a high quality of life at a comparatively affordable price.
The new list—not ranked but listed in alphabetical order—features choices in 21 states and all four domestic time zones, with a roughly even split between colder and warmer climates. Chilly Fargo, N.D., is the only place appearing for all 16 years Forbes has compiled this list. 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.
Besides living costs, Forbes’ selection process considers such quality-of-life metrics as air quality, serious crime and the availability of primary care doctors, as well as whether a place encourages an active lifestyle by making biking or walking convenient.
As they have since 2020, Forbes screened for natural hazard and climate change risk, ruling out places with the very highest danger, as measured by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) National Risk Index, which evaluates 18 natural hazards ranging from hurricanes and tornadoes to heat waves and extreme cold. That, and Florida’s rising house costs, including for property insurance, help explain why only one of the top 25 is in the Sunshine State. That Florida pick is The Villages, primarily a retirement community.
The priciest housing market on the new list is Colorado Springs, Colo., at $449,000, followed by Raleigh, N.C. at $434,000. But 21 of the 25 Forbes picks have median home prices at or below the national median, and seven are under $300,000. While the full Forbes “Best Places To Retire In 2026” list can be found here, what follows is a closer look at those seven under $300,000 in alphabetical order.
Appleton, Wis.
New to the list is Appleton, Wis., an outdoorsy city and college town (Lawrence University) of 75,000 on the Fox River, 100 miles north of Milwaukee. Forbes notes it sports a median home price $291,000, 29% below national median of $409,000. Its cost of living is 12% below national average.
Among the “pros” listed for it are a low serious crime rate, low FEMA natural hazard danger, no state income tax on Social Security or government retirement plans, and no state estate or inheritance tax.
Among the “cons” listed are cold winters and a state income tax marginal rate of 5.3% that hits couples with taxable income above $69,200.
Green Valley, Ariz.
This scenic desert town of 23,000 is 20 miles south of Tucson in the Santa Cruz River Valley.
Forbes writes that Green Valley retirees can enjoy outdoor activities during its mild winters. Summers are undeniably hot, although its 3,000-foot elevation makes nights a little cooler than in Tucson or Phoenix. Plus, Green Valley’s reasonable housing prices (median home price $282,000, 31% below national median) make it easier for retirees to also hold on to another home in a cooler spot.
Other “pros” include a very low serious crime rate, a good ratio of primary care physicians per capita and a good retiree tax climate. Cons: Not very walkable or bikeable.
Green Valley was also the second-ranked town for middle-class retirement in 2024 by GOBankingRates.
NEXT PAGE: 5 MORE BEST PLACES TO RETIRE IN 2026
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.
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