Cheapest U.S. Cities to Retire in 2026

A new ranking of over 800 U.S. cities identifies the most affordable places to retire in 2026‑2027. The list is based on median gross household income and the cost of home ownership, including median home values and monthly rent.

Top entries include El Paso, TX (median home $185,757, rent $632, income $59,054), Decatur, IL (home $96,124, rent $655, income $52,207), Bay City, MI (home $101,958, rent $638, income $49,407), Harlingen, TX (home $155,400, rent $695, income $56,271) and Mission, TX (home $186,063, rent $777, income $64,502). Other notable affordable cities are Enid, OK; Brownsville, TX; Laredo, TX; Wichita Falls, TX; Pharr, TX; Midland, MI; Springfield, IL; McAllen, TX; and Edinburg, TX. These locations combine low housing costs with modest household incomes, offering retirees the potential to stretch their savings.