--- title: What Are Considered the Best Places to Retire in 2026? description: Explore five places considered among the best to retire in 2026 and what to consider, including housing, taxes, healthcare, climate and lifestyle. image: https://www.cdaofamerica.com/hubfs/Best%20Places%20To%20Retire%20Image-1.png --- [Skip to content](https://www.cdaofamerica.com/worth-knowing/what-are-considered-the-best-places-to-retire-in-2026#main-content) ![CDA of America](https://www.cdaofamerica.com/hs-fs/hubfs/CDA%20Logo%20bigger.png?width=1774&height=887&name=CDA%20Logo%20bigger.png)Homepage - [Home](https://www.cdaofamerica.com) - [About CDA](https://www.cdaofamerica.com/about-cda) - [Retirement Strategies](https://www.cdaofamerica.com/retirement-strategies) - [Planning Tools](https://www.cdaofamerica.com/planning-tools) - [Worth Knowing](https://www.cdaofamerica.com/worth-knowing) - [Our Team](https://www.cdaofamerica.com/meet-the-team) - [Contact Us](https://www.cdaofamerica.com/contact-us) - [Home](https://www.cdaofamerica.com) - [About CDA](https://www.cdaofamerica.com/about-cda) - [Retirement Strategies](https://www.cdaofamerica.com/retirement-strategies) - [Planning Tools](https://www.cdaofamerica.com/planning-tools) - [Worth Knowing](https://www.cdaofamerica.com/worth-knowing) - [Our Team](https://www.cdaofamerica.com/meet-the-team) - [Contact Us](https://www.cdaofamerica.com/contact-us) ![Straw hat, sunglasses and U.S. map overlooking a scenic mountain lake, representing places to consider for retirement in 2026.](https://www.cdaofamerica.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Best%20Places%20To%20Retire%20Image-1.png?width=1672&height=941&name=Best%20Places%20To%20Retire%20Image-1.png) Retirement Planning Retirement Lifestyle # What Are Considered the Best Places to Retire in 2026? ![CDA of America](https://www.cdaofamerica.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Blog%20Logo.png?width=48&height=48&name=Blog%20Logo.png) CDA of America October 5, 2026 Where you live can shape nearly every part of retirement—from your monthly expenses and access to healthcare to your taxes, climate, activities, and proximity to the people who matter most. But there is no single “best” place to retire. A location that works beautifully for one retiree may be a poor fit for another. Some people prioritize warm weather and lower taxes. Others care more about affordable housing, healthcare access, walkability, outdoor activities, or being close to family. Forbes evaluated nearly 1,000 U.S. locations for its 2026 retirement analysis, considering factors including housing costs, taxes, healthcare access, crime, air quality, opportunities for an active lifestyle, and natural-hazard risk. The following five destinations were among those highlighted and offer very different versions of retirement. ## 1. Green Valley, Arizona For retirees drawn to the Southwest, Green Valley offers warm winters, mountain views, and a community with a significant retirement presence. Housing is one of its attractions. In Forbes' 2026 analysis, the median home price was approximately $282,000, compared with a national median of $409,000 used in the study. Green Valley also received favorable marks for its very low serious crime rate, access to primary-care physicians, and retiree tax environment. Arizona does have a state individual income tax, with a flat rate of 2.5% in 2026. **What to consider:** Summers can be very hot, and Green Valley is not considered particularly walkable or bikeable. Someone who wants to walk to restaurants and shops may have different priorities than someone primarily interested in sunshine, outdoor recreation, and a retirement-oriented community.  ## 2. Raleigh, North Carolina Raleigh offers a very different retirement experience. As part of North Carolina's Research Triangle, the area combines a relatively moderate climate with universities, cultural activities, healthcare resources, and access to a major metropolitan area. Forbes' 2026 analysis cited good access to primary-care physicians, good air quality, a comfortable climate, and a favorable retiree tax environment among Raleigh's strengths. Its median home price was approximately $434,000 in that analysis.  North Carolina's individual income tax rate is 3.99% for 2026.  **What to consider:** Raleigh isn't among the least expensive retirement destinations, and much of the area is car-dependent. Housing costs can also vary considerably depending on where in the Triangle someone chooses to live. ## 3. Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania Warm weather isn't everyone's retirement priority. Pittsburgh may appeal to retirees who value healthcare access, affordability, universities, cultural attractions, and a more walkable urban environment. In Forbes' 2026 analysis, Pittsburgh had a median home price of approximately $238,000—42% below the national median used in the study—and an excellent ratio of primary-care physicians. Pennsylvania has a flat 3.07% individual income tax, while Social Security and most retirement income are excluded from that tax.  **What to consider:** Winters can be cold. Pennsylvania also has an inheritance tax that may apply depending on the beneficiary's relationship to the person who died. ## 4. Greenville, South Carolina Greenville may appeal to retirees looking for a milder climate, access to the outdoors, and a smaller-city atmosphere. Located in South Carolina's Blue Ridge Mountains region, Greenville combines restaurants, cultural activities, recreation, and healthcare access. Forbes' 2026 analysis cited a median home price of approximately $336,000, excellent access to primary-care physicians, an agreeable climate, good air quality, and relatively moderate natural-hazard risk. South Carolina does not tax Social Security benefits and provides certain exclusions for other retirement income.  **What to consider:** A favorable provision for retirement income doesn't necessarily mean someone's total cost of living will be lower. Housing, insurance, healthcare, everyday expenses, and an individual's complete tax situation all matter. ## 5. The Villages, Florida Florida has long been associated with retirement, and The Villages offers one of the country's most recognizable retirement-centered lifestyles. The community is known for recreation, golf, social activities, and mild winters. Florida also has no individual state income tax.  Forbes' 2026 analysis cited a median home price of approximately $404,000, low serious crime, good air quality, and relatively moderate natural-hazard risk compared with other Florida locations.  **What to consider:** Florida's lack of an individual state income tax is only one part of the financial picture. Housing, homeowners insurance, property taxes, community fees, and exposure to severe weather can all affect the actual cost of retirement. Rising housing and property-insurance costs were among the factors Forbes considered when evaluating Florida retirement destinations.  ## What Should You Consider Before Moving in Retirement? Choosing a retirement destination involves much more than comparing tax rates or finding somewhere warm. Housing may be one of the largest considerations, but it isn't the only one. Healthcare access can become increasingly important with age. Insurance costs can vary substantially by location. State tax rules may affect different sources of retirement income differently. Climate and exposure to natural hazards can influence both lifestyle and expenses. And then there are the factors that don't fit neatly into a spreadsheet. How close will you be to children and grandchildren? Will you have friends nearby? Are there activities you enjoy? Could you comfortably live there if driving eventually became difficult? Would you still want to be there ten or fifteen years from now? Those questions can matter every bit as much as the numbers. ## Should Taxes Determine Where You Retire? Taxes deserve consideration—but moving to a state simply because it doesn't impose an individual income tax can oversimplify the decision. Some states have no individual income tax, while others tax income but provide different treatment for Social Security or certain sources of retirement income. Property taxes, sales taxes, insurance costs, estate or inheritance taxes, and the treatment of retirement income can all change the overall calculation.  Before making a move primarily for tax reasons, consider discussing your individual circumstances with a qualified tax professional. ## Worth Knowing The best place to retire isn't necessarily the place that appears at the top of a national ranking. It's the place where your **finances, healthcare needs, lifestyle, relationships, and priorities can work together**. Before deciding where to spend retirement, consider looking beyond the headline numbers. Visit at different times of year. Research housing and insurance costs. Explore healthcare options. Understand the potential tax implications. And think about what everyday life—not just vacation—would actually look like there. A successful retirement destination isn't simply somewhere that looks good on paper. It's somewhere that works for the retirement you want to live. ### Sources **Forbes** *Best Places To Retire In 2026: Green Valley, Arizona And Other Surprisingly Affordable Spots* **Tax Foundation** *State Individual Income Tax Rates and Brackets, 2026* ***Disclaimer:** This article is for educational and informational purposes only and is not intended to provide financial, investment, tax, legal, or insurance advice. Costs, tax laws, housing conditions, insurance availability, and other factors can change and may vary by location and individual circumstances. Before making decisions about where to live in retirement, consider consulting with qualified financial, tax, legal, and insurance professionals as appropriate.* ## Share this post [mailto:https%3A%2F%2Fwww.cdaofamerica.com%2Fworth-knowing%2Fwhat-are-considered-the-best-places-to-retire-in-2026](mailto:https%3A%2F%2Fwww.cdaofamerica.com%2Fworth-knowing%2Fwhat-are-considered-the-best-places-to-retire-in-2026) ## Keep reading ### [![Retirement planning checklist and pen on a table overlooking a quiet beach, representing important documents families should know how to find.](https://www.cdaofamerica.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Family%20Documents%20image.png?width=1862&height=845&name=Family%20Documents%20image.png) Retirement Planning Estate Planning What Documents Should Your Family Know How to Find?](https://www.cdaofamerica.com/worth-knowing/what-documents-should-your-family-know-how-to-find) ### [![What Are Living Benefits? 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