U.S. News & World Report Reveals the 2027 Best Places to Retire
Affordability is a top priority for attendees as Midland, Michigan, holds No. 1 spot.
Summary
- Midland, Michigan, is the No. 1 Best Place to Retire for the second year in a row.
- Affordability is the most considered factor when choosing a place to retire in 2027.
- Florida and Texas dominate the top 250 Best Places to Retire, offering a number of affordable and retiree-tax friendly locations.
WASHINGTON, Oct. 27, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- U.S. News & World Report, the global authority in rankings and consumer advice, today revealed the 2027 Best Places to Retire in the United States.
Midland, Michigan, retained the No. 1 rank for the second year in a row. Midland scored high in affordability and retiree taxes, helping it to lock in the top spot.
"Retirees are seeking a place that gives them a sense of security and comfort as they live out their golden years," said Megan Wood, assistant managing editor, home services and real estate. "Whether that comfort prioritizes scenic nature spots, access to multi-cultural experiences, or everyday affordability, places like Midland, Michigan, offer financial safety while still providing a good quality of life."
Homosassa Springs, Florida, came in at No. 2 due to strong scores in affordability, 55+ population growth and retiree taxes. High performance for, quality of life, retiree taxes, affordability and quality of life resulted in Weirton, West Virginia, placing No. 3 on the list.
U.S. News adjusted its scoring weights for the 2027 rankings to mirror a growing concern for affordability in America. This resulted in multiple double-digit jumps in the top 25, including Paducah, Kentucky (No. 8), ascending into the top 10 for the first time.
"It's no secret that affordability is top of mind for Americans this year, which is why U.S. News updated its weighting criteria to better align with what retirees prioritize," Wood said. "The 2027 rankings reflect key metrics used to highlight the places that best suit retiree needs."
U.S. News evaluated more than 850 U.S. cities – publishing the top 250 places – based on how well they meet American retirees' expectations against measures including quality of life, affordability, healthcare, retiree taxes, job market, and population and migration for retirees aged 55 and older.
The six measures factored into this year's rankings were weighted based on a public survey of individuals across the U.S. who are at or approaching retirement age (45 and older) to find out what matters most to people when they're considering where to retire. Resources include federal, state and local data provided by Applied Geographic Solutions, which includes data sourced from the FBI's Uniform Crime Reporting program, Bureau of Labor Statistics, Bureau of Economic Analysis and U.S. News' Best Hospitals rankings. To learn more about how the rankings are determined, read the Best Places to Retire methodology.
Best Places to Retire is part of U.S. News' Real Estate section, which provides rankings and tools to help individuals navigate the housing market, including home value estimates to working with an agent.
2027 U.S. News Best Places to Retire – Top 10
*See the full rankings here.
- Midland, Michigan
- Homosassa Springs, Florida
- Weirton, West Virginia
- The Woodlands, Texas
- Spring, Texas
- Rancho Rio, New Mexico
- Altoona, Pennsylvania
- Paducah, Kentucky
- Lynchburg, Virginia
- Palm Coast, Florida
For more information on Best Places to Retire, explore Facebook, LinkedIn, Tik Tok, Instagram and X using #BestPlacesToRetire.
About U.S. News & World Report
U.S. News & World Report is the global leader for journalism that empowers consumers, citizens, business leaders and policy officials to make confident decisions in all aspects of their lives and communities. A multifaceted media company, U.S. News provides unbiased rankings, independent reporting and analysis, and consumer advice to millions of people on USNews.com each month. A pillar in Washington for more than 90 years, U.S. News is the trusted home for in-depth and exclusive insights on education, health, politics, the economy, insurance, personal finance, travel, automobiles, real estate, careers and consumer products and services.
SOURCE U.S. News & World Report, L.P.
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