Population: 1,567,442
Cost of living: 119.5 (national median: 100)
Median home price: $180,000 (national median: $185,000)
From just $107.88 $24.99 for Kiplinger Personal Finance
Become a smarter, better informed investor. Subscribe from just $107.88 $24.99, plus get up to 4 Special Issues
Sign up for Kiplinger’s Free Newsletters
Profit and prosper with the best of expert advice on investing, taxes, retirement, personal finance and more - straight to your e-mail.
Profit and prosper with the best of expert advice - straight to your e-mail.
Healthy highlight: Philadelphia's annual Broad Street Run is the largest 10-mile race in the country. This year, more than 40,000 runners took to the course in the pouring rain.
For retirees eager to keep their mind and body in motion, Philadelphia offers no shortage of activities. The culturally inclined can take in the art at the city's world-class museums, including the Philadelphia Museum of Art and the Barnes Foundation. Or they can attend concerts and lectures at the Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts, whose fall lineup includes the touring cast of An American in Paris and chef and author Anthony Bourdain.
12 Great Places to Retire for Your Good Health
- Naples, Fla.
- Lynchburg, Va.
- Billings, Mont.
- Greensboro, N.C.
- Omaha, Neb.
- Nashville, Tenn.
- Columbus, Ohio
- Seattle
- Austin, Tex.
- Philadelphia
- St. Petersburg, Fla.
- Augusta, Ga.
Health-conscious retirees might spend their mornings shopping for fresh produce, meats and cheeses (and maybe the occasional cannoli) at the Ninth Street Italian Market or going for a bike ride among the gaggles of runners, walkers and strollers on scenic Kelly Drive. What's more, Philly is home to several excellent university health systems, including those at Thomas Jefferson University and the University of Pennsylvania.
Each of Philadelphia's neighborhoods has its own flavor, says Heather Petrone-Shook, a real estate agent at Long and Foster and a member of the Greater Philadelphia Association of Realtors. If you don't want all the hustle and bustle of city life, she says, Manayunk, just 20 minutes from Center City Philadelphia via Septa Regional Rail (people age 65 and up ride free), offers a blend of urban amenities and small-town charm. The neighborhood scores major walkability points thanks to its bustling mile-long Main Street corridor. Main Street boasts seemingly one or two of everything, from bars and restaurants to high-end clothing boutiques to quirky record stores and antiques shops. Just steps from Main Street, active residents can visit the Venice Island Performing Arts and Recreation Center, with basketball courts and a 250-seat theater, or walk along the Manayunk Canal Towpath—a two-mile boardwalk that connects with more than 60 miles of trail along the Schuylkill River.
Formerly known as a haven for Philly college students, Manayunk's housing prices, location and improving amenities have recently brought empty nesters to the neighborhood in droves, says Jane Lipton, executive director of the Manayunk Development Corp. Renovated townhomes built from 1900 to 1920 with three bedrooms and two bathrooms sell for about $220,000 to $350,000. New homes, most of them 2,000 square feet or more with garages, start at about $550,000, she says.
Pennsylvania is tax-friendly for retirees. The Keystone State doesn't tax retirement income for residents age 59½ or older, income from individual or workplace retirement accounts, or Social Security benefits.
-
Quiz: How Much Do You Know About Taxes on Social Security Benefits?Quiz Social Security benefits often come with confusing IRS tax rules that can trip up financially savvy retirees and near-retirees.
-
Are You Ready for 65? The Medicare Initial Enrollment Period QuizQuiz Turning 65 soon? Test your basic knowledge of Medicare's Initial Enrollment Period (IEP) rules in our quick quiz.
-
3 Ways to Stretch the 2026 Social Security COLA For Your BudgetThree steps retirees can take to stretch the Social Security COLA to fit their budgets.
-
457 Plan Contribution Limits for 2026Retirement plans There are higher 457 plan contribution limits in 2026. That's good news for state and local government employees.
-
Medicare Basics: 12 Things You Need to KnowMedicare There's Medicare Part A, Part B, Part D, Medigap plans, Medicare Advantage plans and so on. We sort out the confusion about signing up for Medicare — and much more.
-
The Seven Worst Assets to Leave Your Kids or Grandkidsinheritance Leaving these assets to your loved ones may be more trouble than it’s worth. Here's how to avoid adding to their grief after you're gone.
-
SEP IRA Contribution Limits for 2026SEP IRA A good option for small business owners, SEP IRAs allow individual annual contributions of as much as $70,000 in 2025, and up to $72,000 in 2026.
-
Roth IRA Contribution Limits for 2026Roth IRAs Roth IRAs allow you to save for retirement with after-tax dollars while you're working, and then withdraw those contributions and earnings tax-free when you retire. Here's a look at 2026 limits and income-based phaseouts.
-
SIMPLE IRA Contribution Limits for 2026simple IRA For 2026, the SIMPLE IRA contribution limit rises to $17,000, with a $4,000 catch-up for those 50 and over, totaling $21,000.
-
457 Contribution Limits for 2024retirement plans State and local government workers can contribute more to their 457 plans in 2024 than in 2023.
-
Roth 401(k) Contribution Limits for 2026retirement plans The Roth 401(k) contribution limit for 2026 has increased, and workers who are 50 and older can save even more.
