Finding Your Ideal Retirement Haven: America's Best Places To Retire With Low Crime and Affordability

Selecting the perfect retirement destination requires balancing multiple priorities: safety, financial sustainability, and community. This comprehensive guide examines 25 of the best places to retire across the United States, analyzing factors such as violent and property crime rates, annual cost of living, livability scores, and senior population concentration to identify locations where retirees can thrive securely without depleting their savings.

Understanding the Selection Criteria

The analysis evaluated communities across America using seven key metrics: violent crime statistics, property crime data, cost of living indices, average expenditure patterns, community livability ratings, population size, and the percentage of residents aged 65 and older. This multifaceted approach ensures that recommended destinations balance safety concerns with financial prudence—critical considerations for those on fixed incomes.

Premium Safety Leaders: The Top Tier Destinations

Pinehurst, North Carolina stands as the foremost choice for retirement seekers prioritizing security. With violent and property crime ratings of 0.989 and 0.983 respectively, this community offers exceptional safety. The annual cost of living averages $68,516, and remarkably, nearly 40% of residents are 65 or older, creating a vibrant senior community. This combination positions Pinehurst as the best places to retire for those seeking comprehensive peace of mind.

Rockport, Massachusetts presents an intriguing profile with the lowest crime scores recorded—0.987 for violent crime and 0.995 for property crime. While the cost of living reaches $95,952 annually (among the highest), residents appreciate the trade-off between expense and security.

Lexington, Massachusetts delivers exceptional safety with violent crime and property crime ratings of 0.986 and 0.989, commanding a livability score of 92. Expect annual expenses of $105,583—the premium reflects the quality and security this community provides.

Budget-Conscious Best Places To Retire

For cost-conscious retirees, several destinations offer excellent value:

Kettering, Ohio leads affordability at just $58,228 annually while maintaining impressive crime scores of 0.984 (violent) and 0.933 (property). This Ohio city represents one of the best places to retire on a limited budget without sacrificing security.

Beatrice, Nebraska rivals Kettering’s affordability at $56,403 yearly expenses, coupled with a livability score of 78 and solid crime ratings of 0.916 and 0.953. For those seeking maximum purchasing power, this represents an exceptional opportunity.

Frankfort, Kentucky delivers sub-$60,000 annual costs ($58,228) with strong crime metrics and a livability rating of 91, making it among the best places to retire for budget-focused seniors.

Parma, Ohio serves the larger-community retiree with approximately 81,000 residents and 19.48% senior population, costing $60,563 annually while maintaining crime ratings of 0.956 and 0.959.

Mid-Range Communities: Balance and Variety

Retirees seeking equilibrium between cost and amenities will find appealing options:

Urbandale, Iowa combines a $63,189 annual cost with a livability score of 89 and solid safety metrics (0.966 violent, 0.968 property). The best places to retire often feature this middle-ground approach.

Ankeny, Iowa similarly offers $63,189 expenses paired with an exceptional livability score of 92, reflecting strong community satisfaction despite modest crime ratings of 0.933 and 0.944.

Fergus Falls, Minnesota attracts seniors with 25.47% of residents aged 65 or older, costing $64,065 annually with safety ratings of 0.930 and 0.887—creating natural peer communities for newcomers.

Brandon, Mississippi charges $64,576 yearly with crime scores of 0.963 and 0.978, housing approximately 25,000 people with 17.67% seniors.

Wauwatosa, Wisconsin provides $64,211 annual expenses, 48,000 total residents, and over 8,300 seniors, offering strong community infrastructure.

Scenic and Lifestyle Destinations

Montpelier, Vermont, the state capital, combines natural beauty with financial security at $68,735 annual costs, crime ratings of 0.897 and 0.910, and a livability score of 84. This represents the best places to retire for those prioritizing scenic surroundings.

Rochester, Minnesota offers a livability score of 91 despite harsh winters, with crime ratings of 0.929 and 0.908 at $68,735 annually—appealing to those who value four-season living.

Tonawanda, New York positions residents near Niagara Falls’ natural attractions at $67,203 annually, with 15,100 residents and 18.75% senior population.

Keene, New Hampshire charges $67,203 yearly with livability rating of 86 and crime scores of 0.945 and 0.894.

High-Senior-Concentration Communities

For those seeking established retirement populations:

Anacortes, Washington boasts 28.51% residents aged 65 or older—among the highest concentrations nationally. At $85,882 annually with crime ratings of 0.971 and 0.833, this Pacific Northwest destination appeals to socially-oriented retirees seeking peer networks.

Jonesborough, Tennessee maintains 27.13% senior population despite having only 5,747 residents, costing $61,730 yearly with strong safety metrics of 0.973 and 0.925.

Additional Quality Destinations

Concord, New Hampshire ($73,259 annually), Exeter, New Hampshire ($86,758 annually), Dover, New Hampshire ($75,010 annually), Brunswick, Maine ($82,088 annually), Milford, Connecticut ($79,680 annually), Dubuque, Iowa ($61,949 annually), and Oxford, Mississippi ($60,490 annually) round out the comprehensive list of best places to retire, each offering distinct combinations of affordability, safety, and community characteristics.

Conclusion

Finding the best places to retire demands evaluating multiple factors simultaneously. Whether prioritizing maximum affordability, lowest crime rates, or highest senior concentration, America offers numerous communities where retirees can enjoy secure, financially sustainable living. The ideal choice depends on individual priorities—balancing personal preferences for climate, scenery, and community size with objective measures of safety and cost-effectiveness to create a fulfilling retirement experience.

Data collected as of May 2024, incorporating violent and property crime statistics from FBI Crime Data Explorer, cost of living indices from Sperling’s BestPlaces and Bureau of Labor Statistics, livability assessments from Areavibes, and demographic data from US Census Bureau surveys.