Forbes has released its annual list of the best places to retire in 2025. They evaluated more than 950 cities across the U.S., considering factors like housing costs, taxes, healthcare, air quality, crime rates, and risks from climate change and natural disasters. After this thorough analysis, Forbes selected the top 25 cities to retire in. In comparison, last year’s 2024 list included 800 locales and featured Columbia, Dorado, Fargo, and 22 other cities as prime retirement destinations.

Here are the top 25 places for 2025:

Apache Junction, Arizona

Apache Junction is a rapidly growing suburban desert community with a population of around 41,000. Located 35 miles east of Phoenix and nestled against the striking Superstition Mountains, it offers a scenic, outdoorsy lifestyle. The area is known for its dry climate, which appeals to many, especially retirees, though summers can be extremely hot. With a median home price of $382,000—approximately 5% below the national average—it offers relatively affordable housing. Healthcare access is strong, with an above-average ratio of primary care physicians per capita. The tax climate is favorable for retirees, featuring a flat state income tax rate of 2.5%, exemptions for Social Security, and no estate or inheritance tax. However, the area does face challenges, including a violent crime rate that is higher than the national average and ongoing air quality issues.

Athens, Georgia

Athens, a classic college town with 130,000 residents, is home to the University of Georgia and lies about 70 miles east of Atlanta. It boasts a charming Southern atmosphere with a relatively agreeable climate. The housing market is attractively priced, with a median home price of $333,000, which is about 18% below the national average. Healthcare access is above average, and the city is considered friendly to retirees thanks to its tax policies. Georgia has a flat income tax rate of 5.39%, with future reductions planned. The state exempts Social Security income and allows up to $65,000 per person in retirement income to go untaxed. On the downside, Athens has a serious crime rate somewhat above the national average, and its economy is considered only average in terms of performance and opportunity.

Bethlehem, Pennsylvania

Bethlehem, with a population of 80,000, is a revitalized former steel town located in Pennsylvania’s Lehigh Valley. About 75 miles north of Philadelphia and 85 miles west of New York City, it offers a blend of industrial history and academic life, thanks to institutions like Lehigh University and Moravian College. The median home price is $334,000, or about 17% below the national median. The city enjoys a high number of primary care physicians per capita and benefits from very low rates of serious crime. Air quality is good, and the retiree tax environment is favorable, with a 3.07% flat state income tax that exempts Social Security and most retirement income. However, Pennsylvania does impose a state inheritance tax, which applies to all heirs except a surviving spouse, and winters can be cold and snowy.

College Station, Texas

College Station is a thriving city of 128,000, best known as the home of Texas A&M University. Located 85 miles northwest of Houston, it combines college-town vibrancy with small-city affordability. Homes are reasonably priced at a median of $347,000, about 14% below the national average. The area features a strong healthcare system with abundant doctors, good air quality, and a very low serious crime rate. It’s also very bike-friendly, adding to its appeal. Texas has no state income or estate tax, making it highly attractive for retirees. The local economy is considered strong. However, walkability is limited, and the summers are hot and humid, which may deter some.

Columbia, Missouri

Columbia, with 131,000 residents, is a centrally located college town in Missouri, halfway between St. Louis and Kansas City. It hosts multiple institutions, including the University of Missouri, Stephens College, and Columbia College. The median home price of $306,000 is a full 24% below the national average. Columbia boasts an excellent physician-to-resident ratio and good air quality. Recent tax reforms reduced the top state income tax rate to 4.70%, and Social Security benefits are untaxed. There is also no state estate or inheritance tax. While the overall crime rate is relatively low, the serious crime rate is just above the national average. The city also lacks walkability in many areas.

Fargo, North Dakota

Fargo is North Dakota’s largest city, with a population of 138,000, and sits along the Red River, directly adjacent to Minnesota. It has a median home price of $305,000—about 25% below the national median—and offers a good quality of life with clean air and an excellent ratio of primary care doctors. Fargo is also very bikeable, and its state tax environment is quite favorable. The top income tax rate is just 2.30% for high-income couples, and there is no tax on Social Security or estates. However, Fargo experiences long, cold winters, and its serious crime rate is above the national average.

Greenville, South Carolina

Greenville is a vibrant city of 75,000, located in South Carolina’s Blue Ridge Mountain foothills between Atlanta and Charlotte. Known for its scenic hills and historic downtown, Greenville is a college town with institutions like Furman University and Bob Jones University. It offers a moderate cost of living, with a median home price of $317,000—22% below the national average. The climate is pleasant, and both walkability and bikeability are decent. Air quality is good, and the number of physicians per capita is excellent. While the state’s top income tax rate of 6.2% is relatively high, Social Security is untaxed and retirees can exempt up to \$10,000 per person in other retirement income. Greenville does face a higher-than-average serious crime rate.

Iowa City, Iowa**

Iowa City, home to 76,000 residents and the University of Iowa, is a highly regarded Midwestern college town. Housing is especially affordable here, with a median price of $289,000—28% below the national average. The city has excellent healthcare access and very good air quality. It’s also among the most bikeable cities in the region. Iowa recently simplified its tax structure, moving to a flat income tax rate of 3.8%, while eliminating taxes on Social Security and other retirement income. There is also no state estate or inheritance tax. The main downside is its cold and sometimes harsh winters.

Lawrence, Kansas

Lawrence, Kansas, a quintessential college town with a population of 97,000, is situated 40 miles west of Kansas City. It is home to the University of Kansas and has a lively cultural and academic atmosphere. The median home price is $318,000, or 21% below the national average. The city benefits from good air quality, a high number of primary care doctors, and a climate that is generally comfortable. Lawrence is also very bike-friendly and enjoys a serious crime rate well below the national average. However, the state tax climate for retirees is only average. While Kansas no longer taxes Social Security benefits, other retirement income can be taxed at rates up to 5.58% for couples earning more than $46,000.

Lexington, Kentucky

Lexington, known as the “Horse Capital of the World,” is a city of 320,000 in central Kentucky. It’s also a college town, hosting the University of Kentucky and Transylvania University. With a median home price of $316,000, it remains 22% below the national average. Lexington has excellent air quality, a low serious crime rate, and an impressive ratio of healthcare providers. Kentucky offers a flat income tax of 4.0%, and Social Security is exempt, along with up to $31,100 per person in other retirement income. The city’s main drawback for retirees is the state’s inheritance tax, although inheritances left to close relatives are generally exempt.

Lincoln, Nebraska

Lincoln is the capital of Nebraska and a vibrant college town with a population of 297,000, located about 50 miles southwest of Omaha. It offers an affordable housing market, with a median home price of $283,000—30% below the national average. The city has good air quality, is very bikeable, and offers a somewhat walkable lifestyle. Healthcare access is adequate, with a fair number of primary care physicians per capita. However, the retiree tax environment is still in transition. While improvements are underway, the current marginal income tax rate stands at 5.01% for couples earning over $48,250, and peaks at 5.2% above $77,730. Social Security benefits are still partially taxed, and a state inheritance tax applies to any assets left to relatives other than a spouse, though some exemptions are available.

Madison, Wisconsin

Madison, the capital of Wisconsin, is a dynamic college town of 284,000 residents, located about 150 miles northwest of Chicago. It is known for its excellent healthcare access, boasting a high ratio of physicians per capita. The city enjoys clean air and is both highly walkable and bikeable, making it appealing for active lifestyles. Madison also has a low serious crime rate. Its housing market is fairly close to the national average, with a median home price of $408,000. For retirees, Social Security and government retirement plans are not taxed, and there is no estate tax. However, Wisconsin’s progressive income tax system includes a marginal rate of 5.3% on incomes above $39,150 for couples, and rises to 7.65% for those earning over $431,060. Winters are long and cold, which may be a drawback for some.

Newark, Delaware

Newark is a compact college town of 30,000 people, home to the University of Delaware and located roughly midway between Philadelphia and Baltimore. It has a median home price of $351,000, which is 13% below the national median. Residents benefit from a healthy number of primary care physicians, good air quality, and a serious crime rate that is below the national average. Delaware offers a highly favorable tax environment, with no state sales tax, estate or inheritance tax, and no income tax on Social Security. Pension income also receives favorable treatment. However, the marginal income tax rate reaches 6.6% for couples with just $60,000 in taxable income, which may be a consideration for retirees with modest incomes.

Pasco, Washington

Pasco is a sunny city of 82,000 in Washington’s Tri-Cities region, located along the sweeping Columbia River about 225 miles southeast of Seattle. The climate is very comfortable, and the air quality is good. The area has a strong supply of primary care physicians, and the serious crime rate is below the national average. The median home price is $406,000, slightly above the national average by about 1%. Washington has no state income tax, which is beneficial for retirees. However, it does impose a state estate tax and a 7% excise tax on investment gains above $270,000. The city is not especially walkable or bikeable, which may affect daily convenience for some residents.

Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

Pittsburgh is a historic river city in western Pennsylvania with a population of 304,000. It is home to several major universities, including Carnegie Mellon and the University of Pittsburgh. The city features a very affordable housing market, with a median home price of $231,000—43% below the national average. Healthcare is excellent, with a high number of primary care doctors. Pittsburgh is very walkable and bikeable, adding to its urban appeal. The tax climate is favorable for retirees, with Pennsylvania’s flat 3.07% income tax excluding Social Security and most retirement income. However, the state imposes an inheritance tax on all heirs except for spouses, and the city’s serious crime rate is above the national average.

Raleigh, North Carolina

Raleigh is the capital of North Carolina and a thriving college town with a population of 494,000, situated in the heart of the Research Triangle. It has a comfortable climate, good air quality, and a strong healthcare infrastructure. The city is very bikeable, although not especially walkable. Raleigh’s median home price is $440,000, which is about 9% above the national median. For retirees, North Carolina offers a good tax climate. The state has a flat income tax rate of 4.25%, scheduled to drop to 3.99% in 2026, and does not tax Social Security benefits. However, the serious crime rate is higher than the national average.

Rochester, Minnesota

Rochester is a city of 123,000 in southeastern Minnesota, widely recognized for being home to the world-renowned Mayo Clinic. It is located about 85 miles southeast of Minneapolis along the Zumbro River. The city offers a strong healthcare system with an exceptionally high number of primary care physicians per capita. Air quality is good, and the crime rate is low. Rochester is also very bikeable, making it ideal for active retirees. The median home price is $328,000, about 19% below the national median. However, Minnesota’s tax environment for retirees is challenging. Social Security is taxed depending on income, and the progressive state income tax reaches 9.85% for high earners, with a 1% surcharge on investment income over $1 million. Winters are also long and cold.

San Antonio, Texas

San Antonio is a large and diverse city in South Texas, with a population of 1.5 million, making it the seventh-largest city in the U.S. The median home price is very affordable at $252,000, which is 38% below the national average. Healthcare access is close to the national average, and the city is somewhat bikeable. Texas has no state income or estate tax, which makes San Antonio attractive for retirees. However, the serious crime rate is above the national average, and the city is not very walkable, which could limit convenience for some residents.

Savannah, Georgia

Savannah is a historic and scenic city with 148,000 residents, located about 30 miles inland from the Atlantic Ocean. Known for its charming city squares and tree-lined streets, Savannah offers a mild climate and good air quality. The city is very bikeable and has a strong ratio of primary care doctors per capita. The median home price is $322,000, or 20% below the national average. Georgia’s tax policies benefit retirees, with a flat 5.49% income tax rate after a standard deduction of \$18,000 for couples and generous exemptions for Social Security and other retirement income. The main concern is Savannah’s relatively high score on the FEMA National Risk Index, reflecting a moderate vulnerability to natural hazards.

Sioux Falls, South Dakota

Sioux Falls is South Dakota’s largest city, with a population of 220,000, located along the Big Sioux River. The city combines affordability with quality of life, featuring a median home price of $326,000—19% below the national median. Sioux Falls offers excellent healthcare access, very good air quality, and is very bikeable. South Dakota has no state income, estate, or inheritance tax, which is a big plus for retirees. Winters are cold, and the city is not especially walkable, which may be a consideration for those seeking convenience without a car.

Spokane, Washington

Spokane is a scenic city in eastern Washington with a population of 230,000. Located along the Spokane River, it is known for its natural beauty and access to outdoor recreation. The median home price is $390,000, about 3% below the national median. Spokane enjoys good healthcare availability and is both very bikeable and fairly walkable. Washington has no state income tax, making it favorable for many retirees. However, it does impose an estate tax and a 7% excise tax on certain investment gains over $270,000. Winters can be cold, which may not appeal to everyone.

Tucson, Arizona

Tucson is a vibrant city of 550,000 in Arizona’s Sonoran Desert, just 65 miles north of the Mexican border. It is home to the University of Arizona and is known for its sunny climate and southwestern charm. The city is very bikeable and has a median home price of $329,000—about 19% below the national median. Healthcare is strong with a good supply of primary care doctors. Arizona offers a flat state income tax of 2.5%, does not tax Social Security, and has no estate or inheritance tax. The downside is the intense summer heat and a serious crime rate that is above the national average.

The Villages, Florida

The Villages is a master-planned retirement community in central Florida with a population of 155,000, located about 50 miles northwest of Orlando. It is designed specifically for seniors and offers a wide range of amenities. The median home price is $404,000, right at the national average. The area enjoys mild winters, good air quality, and a low serious crime rate. Primary care access is close to the national average. Florida has no state income or estate tax, making it very attractive for retirees. However, the community is not very walkable, which may impact daily activities for those without a car.

Virginia Beach, Virginia

Virginia Beach is the largest city in Virginia, with 457,000 residents, situated on the Atlantic coast at the mouth of the Chesapeake Bay. The city offers a comfortable climate.

Winchester, Virginia

Winchester is a small, outdoorsy city of 27,000 nestled in Virginia’s scenic Shenandoah Valley, approximately 75 miles northwest of Washington, D.C. Known for its historic charm and access to nature, Winchester offers a walkable lifestyle and a high quality of healthcare, with an outstanding ratio of primary care physicians per capita. The serious crime rate is below the national average, adding to its appeal as a safe and livable community. The median home price is $382,000, about 5% below the national median, making it a relatively affordable place to live in the region. Virginia’s state income tax tops out at 5.75% for couples with taxable income as low as $17,000, but there is no tax on Social Security benefits, and estates and inheritances are also exempt from state taxation. The main drawback is that Winchester is only somewhat bikeable, which may limit options for those seeking a fully car-free lifestyle.