12 Great Places to Retire in the Midwest
These Midwestern cities win retirees over with a hard-to-beat cost of living that won't sting, plenty to do, and healthcare you can actually count on.
The Midwest has plenty to offer retirees. Not only is it home to several of the cheapest places to live, but many of these states offer beautiful scenery, an abundance of activities and quality healthcare, along with a low cost of living.
With all these positive qualities, it’s no wonder that among the 12 states the U.S. Census Bureau groups together as the Midwest region, only North Dakota made the list of top 10 states people moved out of in 2025, according to the most recent data from United Van Lines’ annual National Movers Study
Granted, the area isn’t on most people’s list of the best places to retire. Yet, it's definitely worth considering. If you're ready to go against the grain and retire in the Midwest, we suggest you take a look at the following spots.
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Although there might be many, we highlighted just one great retirement destination in each state, taking into account living costs, safety, median incomes and poverty rates for retirement-age residents, as well as residents' sense of well-being and the availability of recreational and healthcare facilities.
Here are our 12 retirement picks in the Midwest. Some (if not all) are sure to surprise you.
The list is ordered alphabetically by state. The 12 states in the Midwest region are classified by the U.S. Census Bureau. See Methodology at the end of the list for details on our data sources.
1. Peoria, Illinois
- City population: 110,431
- Share of population 65-plus: 19%
- Cost of living: 24.4% below the national average
- Median income for population 65-plus: $52,000
- Well-being score: 60/100
- Illinois State Tax Guide
A big draw for Peoria is its affordability. The average home value is only $138,052, compared with the U.S. average of $368,697. The cost of a private room in a nursing home in Peoria is $8,669 per month, according to Senior Living, and varies by facility and type of services needed.
The Downtown Development Corporation of Peoria remains active in promoting construction and development in the area, and the Illinois Department of Transportation has invested millions in infrastructure projects to improve safety and mobility.
The Riverfront area is a vibrant setting, with eateries, shops and attractions. It includes the Peoria Riverfront Museum, which hosts a senior program and a free lecture series on the second Wednesday of every other month, plus free admission on the third Wednesday of the month for guests age 60 and up. The Peoria Park District offers 64 park sites with miles of hiking trails, golf courses, a nature center and more — perfect for active retirees.
2. Fort Wayne, Indiana
- City population: 277,366
- Share of population 65-plus: 14.9%
- Cost of living: 18% below the national average
- Median income for population 65-plus: $47,000
- Well-being score: 56/100
- Indiana State Tax Guide
The amenities in the Fort Wayne metro area are relatively cheap compared with many places in the U.S.. It's also home to a nice collection of quiet neighborhoods and a thriving arts scene that hosts several festivals and events throughout the year.
The three local rivers — the St. Marys, the St. Joseph and the Maumee — are a main feature of the area, providing ample opportunities for canoeing, kayaking and cruising. Fort Wayne also has more than 80 parks and 100 miles of hiking and biking trails.
The area is considered a metropolis, with a population of over 200,000, making it the second-most populous city in Indiana after Indianapolis. However, if you're craving the good life in a smaller town, head two hours south to Richmond, one of the cheapest small towns in America, with a population of only 2,123.
Fort Wayne's claim to fame is Parkview Field, home of the TinCaps. It's not only a local favorite but also one of the oldest active minor league baseball parks in the country.
3. Des Moines, Iowa
- City population: 211,734
- Share of population 65-plus: 11.8%
- Cost of living: 13.4% below the national average
- Median income for population 65-plus: $49,000
- Well-being score: 62/100
- Iowa State Tax Guide
If you’re a retiree wanting the perks of a big city without the high cost, Des Moines — the capital city of Iowa — is a smart choice. Affordability is just one reason this city made our list. It also boasts a strong economy and plenty of healthcare facilities specializing in age-related services.
Besides that, retirees won’t lack for things to do. There are numerous museums, including an outdoor sculpture park, a zoo and botanical gardens. There’s even a casino and racetrack in nearby Altoona that hosts annual camel, ostrich and zebra races (sorry, no wagering on these exhibition races allowed).
The average home value in Des Moines is $210,572, compared with the state average of $239,547. From its gold-domed Capitol building to its vibrant arts scene, there's something for everyone to explore and enjoy.
4. Manhattan, Kansas
- City population: 54,699
- Share of population 65-plus: 9.2%
- Cost of living for retirees: 16.6% below the national average
- Median income for population 65-plus: $56,101
- Well-being score: 40/100
- Kansas State Tax Guide
The Little Apple might not have all the bright lights and major metropolitan allure of New York City, but it has plenty to position itself in our top 12 great places to retire. The median income for all households in Manhattan is just $56,101 a year. The average home value is $298,350, versus $249,603 statewide.
Manhattan, home to Kansas State University, affords residents attractive college-town amenities, including the privilege of calling the school's top-notch athletics program your home team. One particularly senior-friendly offering: Kansas residents age 60 and older and are enrolled as non-degree-seeking students can request a waiver of tuition from Kansas State University.
The city is also home to an extensive trail system — more than 40 miles citywide — for walking and biking.
5. Ann Arbor, Michigan
- City population: 121,651
- Share of population 65-plus: 10.7%
- Cost of living: 5.5% above the national average
- Median income for population 65-plus: $82,000
- Well-being score: 74/100
- Michigan State Tax Guide
Ann Arbor, another college town well suited to retirees, is home to the University of Michigan and all its educational programs, including the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute, sports events and cultural affairs.
The university also runs the Geriatrics Center & Institute of Gerontology, which focuses on health care issues that come with aging. Along with its research facilities, medical facilities and staff, the Center offers programs and classes to help older adults maximize their good health and independence.
Ann Arbor's health care facilities are top-notch, and the area's public transportation options are another winning attribute for older residents.
One glaring downside, however, is affordability. The average home value is $526,592, vs $266,292 for the rest of the state, according to Zillow.
6. Mankato, Minnesota
- City population: 46,917
- Share of population 65-plus: 11.3%
- Cost of living: 13.3% below the national average
- Average income for population 65-plus: $58,000
- Well-being score: 53/100
- Minnesota State Tax Guide
If the cold winters and equally harsh tax situation don't put you off from relocating to the North Star State, consider retiring in Mankato, about 90 miles southwest of the Twin Cities.
It's still a small city, population 46,917, but development is on the rise, and the local economy is growing fast. Revitalization projects have added a nice mix of restaurants, shops, entertainment venues and more to the downtown area in recent years. The city plans to spread that level of development throughout the Minnesota River Valley, partly due to growth at Minnesota State University at Mankato.
The plan's goals include: adding housing, specifically within walking distance of that campus near jobs and shops; expanding Riverfront Park and other recreational land; and possibly building a pedestrian bridge over the Minnesota River to North Mankato. The average home value is $305,115, which is up 1.6% from last year.
7. Kansas City, Missouri
- City population: 523,322
- Share of population 65-plus: 13%
- Cost of living: 11.6% below the national average
- Median income for population 65-plus: $52,000
- Well-being score: 61/100
- Missouri State Tax Guide
The Kansas City metro area straddles two states and offers a wide range of attractions for people of all ages.
The music and arts scene is particularly vibrant, being the hometown of legendary jazz musician Charlie Parker, as well as home to the American Jazz Museum, the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art, the Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts and the Kansas City Art Institute.
For foodies, authentic barbecue is big, and you can entertain visiting grandkids with Legoland, the Sea Life Aquarium and the Kansas City Zoo.
The average home value in Kansas City is $253,549, and the median household income is $85,177, according to Synergos Technologies — and $88,497 for those age 65 and older.
8. Lincoln, Nebraska
- City population: 303,375
- Share of population 65-plus: 11.6%
- Cost of living: 7.4% below the national average
- Median income for population 65-plus: $58,230
- Well-being score: 63/100
- Nebraska State Tax Guide
Lincoln might not be home to financial guru Warren Buffett (Omaha is about an hour north), but it has plenty of other notable reasons to recommend it as a great place to retire. The capital city offers an abundance of attractions, including more than 130 parks, fine restaurants, an active nightlife and several museums and theaters.
Highlights include the Sunken Gardens (for budding horticulturalists) and the Museum of American Speed (for car enthusiasts).
Being a college town, home to both the University of Nebraska's Lincoln campus and Union College, the population might skew young. But the city is also prepared to assist its aging residents with 30-plus healthcare and social service facilities per 1,000 seniors.
9. Fargo, North Dakota
- City population: 138,574
- Share of population 65-plus: 10.3%
- Cost of living: 9.4% below the national average
- Median income for population 65-plus: $57,000
- Well-being score: 66/100
- North Dakota State Tax Guide
With its low costs and generous tax situation, North Dakota has consistently ranked highly among our best states for retirement.
We believe spending your golden years in the Peace Garden State is a financially savvy choice for your retirement destination (if perhaps an unorthodox one). The average home value is $324,126. The average daily cost for a private room in a Fargo nursing home is around $328, with an annual cost of $119,773, according to the American Council on Aging.
North Dakota State University is based in Fargo and, along with several other area colleges, brings attractive amenities for retirees. Senior citizens aged 65 or over may audit one course per semester free of tuition and related mandatory fees through NDSU Project 65.
But be sure to bundle up if you venture out in the winter. The average low temperature in January is minus one degree, with the high only reaching 16 degrees. Did we mention snowfall? Fargo boasts an average of 51.4 inches per winter season.
10. Columbus, Ohio
Columbus, Ohio
- City population: 944,402
- Share of population 65-plus: 11%
- Cost of living: 8.6% below the national average
- Median income for population 65-plus: $53,880
- Well-being score: 62/100
- Ohio State Tax Guide
The average home value in Columbus, the state capital, is an affordable $247,002, compared with the national median of $368,697. But low housing costs don't mean a lack of activities in this big city with a population of nearly 1 million.
Locals can enjoy the college culture of Ohio State University, including big sporting events, concerts and cultural diversions. It also offers Program 60, which invites Ohio residents age 60 and older to take university courses for free.
Off campus, the downtown area has a lively scene with an eclectic mix of shops, galleries and restaurants. The Short North and German Village neighborhoods, in particular, are worth exploring.
11. Sioux Falls, South Dakota
- City population: 217,856
- Share of population 65-plus: 13%
- Cost of living: 9.3% below the national average
- Median income for population 65-plus: $54,000
- Well-being score: 63/100
- South Dakota State Tax Guide
If you've never considered moving to South Dakota in retirement, perhaps you should.
Sioux Falls is a particularly great spot to settle. Not only did South Dakota come in at No. 6 on our list of 10 most tax-friendly states for retirees, but it also has plenty of other advantages, including a booming economy, low unemployment and hospitals specializing in geriatric services.
For all these reasons, plus the city's recreational activities (including regularly scheduled morning walks and games for the senior program, run by the city's Parks and Recreation department). Sioux Falls also made our list (at No. 10) of best cold-weather places to retire, with an average low of just 6 degrees in January. Burrrr.
The average home value in Sioux Falls is $332,295 compared with $321,574 for the state.
12. Green Bay, Wisconsin
- City population: 106,463
- Share of population 65-plus: 13.8%
- Cost of living: 13.9% below the national average
- Median income for population 65-plus: $48,250
- Well-being score: 60/100
- Wisconsin State Tax Guide
The University of Wisconsin brings all the benefits of retiring in a college town to the industrial city of Green Bay.
In addition to the NFL's Green Bay Packers, the city has a thriving cultural and arts scene, quality medical care and a walkable downtown with an array of dining and shopping options.
While the state's tax situation leaves something to be desired, low living costs are attractive. Green Bay is particularly affordable — the average home value in Green Bay is just $285,361 (up over 5% from last year), compared with $339,699 for the rest of the state.
Methodology
To pinpoint great retirement destinations in each state, we weighed several factors:
- Cost of living for major metropolitan and micropolitan statistical areas, provided by PayScale and BestPlaces.
- State well-being index score is provided by digital health company Sharecare, in collaboration with Gallup. The five elements of well-being that make up the overall Gallup-Sharecare Well-Being Index are community, physical, purpose, social and financial well-being. The index is calculated on a scale of zero to 100 and is based on more than 2.5 million nationally representative surveys.
- Population data, including the percentage of the population that is age 65 and older, and the average median income for all households, is provided by World Population Review and BestPlaces. The figures are highlighted in these rankings for the benefit of readers, but were not factors in our methodology for ranking the best places to retire.
- Taxes on retirees are based on Kiplinger's state-by-state guide to taxes on retirees.
- Average home prices are provided by Zillow.
- Median income for the population 65-plus is provided by Point2Homes.
- Nursing home costs provided by Genworth and the American Council on Aging.
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