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.
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