Where will you live when you Retire?
Do you dream of moving away from the snow and ice to a warmer, sunnier climate?
Are there budget friendly places here in the U.S.?
You bet there are!
Kiplinger, May 2014: “10 Cheapest U.S. Cities To Live In”
This information comes directly from Kiplinger and shows the cities in the United States that have the lowest cost of living. The information is based on data from The Council for Community and Economic Research. They take into account the cost of rent, food, utilities, transportation, health care, and other goods and services. These are cities with at least a population of 50,000.
- Harlingen, Texas, is the least expensive city in the U.S. The cost of living is 18.4 percent below the national average. It has award-winning hospital facilities, a huge plus for many retirees. There are a host of retirement communities and senior centers.
- Pueblo, Colorado at #2 boasts both a low cost of living and a dry climate. The cost of living is 16.6 percent lower than the national average. It has senior housing available through local government. If humidity is not for you, Pueblo might be the place.
- Norman, Oklahoma’s cost of living is 16.2 percent below the national average. Rents are low, residents report higher incomes, and there is a low rate of unemployment. This may be a good spot for those looking to work during their retirement. Norman is famously the home of the University of Oklahoma.
- If you want to live in a big city, Memphis, Tennessee, has it all at bargain prices. At 14.6 percent below the national cost of living, Memphis is the least expensive major city in America. Its location on the Mississippi is perfect for its involvement in the shipping and transportation industries.
- Idaho Falls, Idaho, is one of our cooler retirement locations. It has an incredible outdoor lifestyle. There are plenty of winter sports available in the cold, snowy weather with hiking, biking, rafting, and more in the summer. There’s a high quality of life at a low cost of living (14.4 percent below the national average) and very low unemployment.
- Youngstown, Ohio, is closer to Pittsburgh than Ohio’s major cities. It has a cost of living 13.5 percent below the national average. With home values being 73 percent less than the national median, expenses are well below average.
- In Jonesboro, Arkansas, costs of everything from groceries to utilities to health care are low. Dental and optometrist visits are 27 percent lower than elsewhere in the U.S. At 13.3 percent below the national cost of living, you don’t need a lot of income to live here.
- Wichita Falls, Texas, comes in 13.2 percent below the average cost of living. The top employer in the area is Sheppard Air Force Base. Incomes are solid, and the unemployment rate is low.
- Temple, Texas, is an hour north of Austin in Central Texas. The overall cost of living is 12.9 percent below the national average. There is a strong economy and a low unemployment rate.
- Augusta, Georgia, also has a cost of living of 12.9 percent below the national average. Aside from the week of the golf Masters, Augusta is affordable. Housing costs are low at 26.5 percent below average. Groceries and other household expenses are well below the average as well.
This list should give you some of the basic information for these places and some things to ponder.
- Location–do you need to be near family and friends?
- Do you like four seasons?
- Do you prefer a dry or humid climate?
- Is there a religious community that suits your needs?
- Do you have a sport or hobby you’d like to pursue?
- Do you like the vitality of a university town or a quieter lifestyle?
- Do you want to be near a cultural center with art, music, and theater?
- Do you have any particular health needs that require specific medical treatment and is it available?
Answering these and other pertinent questions can help point you in the right direction.
Keep in mind that there are seven states that do not have a state income tax—Alaska, Florida, Texas, Nevada, South Dakota, Washington and Wyoming. Tennessee and New Hampshire only have tax dividends and interest income. This can make them even more attractive.
There are many places out there where you can live inexpensively. With a little thought you can find the one that is right for you.
