MagnifyMoney evaluated 217 US cities on cost of living, quality of life, and employability to find the best places to live if you want to retire early.
As early retirement becomes increasingly common and achievable, more and more people are aiming to make it a reality.
If you're one of them, where you live could play a major role in your ability to reach that goal. And while the South touts some of the best places for early retirement hopefuls to settle down, there are viable spots in every US region.
MagnifyMoney evaluated 217 US cities on cost of living (50%), quality of life (30%), and employability (20%) to determine which places in America are best for setting an early retirement plan into motion, awarding each city a composite score out of 100. You can read a full breakdown of the methodology here.
Below, find the top spots in every American region for fostering early retirement.
MIDWEST
1. Benton Harbor, Michigan — 77
2. Evansville, Indiana — 75
3. TIE: Lima, Ohio — 72
3. TIE: St. Louis — 72
3. TIE: Dubuque, Iowa — 72
6. TIE: Kalamazoo, Michigan — 70
6. TIE: Decatur, Illinois — 70
7. Springfield, Illinois — 69
8. TIE: Columbus, Ohio — 67
8. TIE: Joplin, Missouri — 67
NORTHEAST
1. Pittsburgh — 55
2. York, Pennsylvania — 49
3. Buffalo, New York — 47
4. TIE: Pittsfield, Massachusetts — 46
4. TIE: Utica-Rome, New York — 46
6. Portland, Maine — 42
7. TIE: New Haven, Connecticut — 40
7. TIE: Scranton, Pennsylvania — 40
7. TIE: Burlington-Chittenden County, Vermont — 40
7. TIE: Albany, New York — 40
SOUTH
1. Knoxville, Tennessee — 78
2. TIE: Memphis, Tennessee — 77
2. TIE: Sherman, Texas — 77
4. TIE: Wichita Falls, Texas — 76
4. TIE: Jonesboro, Arkansas — 76
6. TIE: Cleveland, Tennessee — 75
6. TIE: Hattiesburg, Mississippi — 75
8. McAllen, Texas — 74
9. TIE: Hot Springs, Arkansas — 73
9. TIE: Lubbock, Texas — 73
WEST
1. Pueblo, Colorado — 69
2. TIE: Tucson, Arizona — 56
2. TIE: Prescott, Arizona — 56
4. TIE: Boise City, Idaho — 51
4. TIE: Salt Lake City — 51
6. Albuquerque, New Mexico — 50
7. TIE: Sierra Vista, Arizona —49
7. TIE: Spokane, Washington — 49
9. TIE: Olympia, Washington — 46
9. TIE: Tacoma, Washington — 46
