The Best Underrated Retirement Towns in Every State, Ranked

Retirement doesn’t have to mean settling in the same well-known destinations everyone talks about. Across the country, there are lesser-known towns that offer natural beauty, a slower pace of life, and a strong sense of community without the high price tags of popular coastal cities.

From quiet mountain towns to scenic river communities and wide-open plains, these places show just how diverse retirement can look in the U.S. We’ve put together a state-by-state list of underrated retirement towns worth considering, using data from the U.S. Census and local sources. Whether you’re planning ahead or just curious, these hidden gems might surprise you.

• Town: Pelham
• Population: 24,500
• Median Income: $91,904
• Popular Spots: Oak Mountain State Park, the Alabama Wildlife Center, and the Ballantrae Golf Club
• Median Age: 41.2

• Town: Homer
• Population: 6,136
• Median Income: $73,723
• Popular Spots: Bishop's Beach, the Alaska Maritime National Wildlife Refuge Visitor Center, and the Homer Farmers Market
• Median Age: 40

• Town: Paradise Valley
• Population: 12,600
• Median Income: $236,250
• Popular Spots: The Cosanti Originals, Paradise Valley Country Club, the Desert Botanical Garden, and Camelback Mountain
• Median Age: 55

• Town: Harrison
• Population: 13,200
• Median Income: $40,568
• Popular Spots: The Buffalo National River, Rust, Dust & Wanderlust, and the Arkansas Grand Canyon
• Median Age: 41

• Town: Grass Valley
• Population: 14,085
• Median Income: $48,850
• Popular Spots: Empire Mine State Historic Park, The Center of the Arts, and the Nevada County Fairgrounds
• Median Age: 49

• Town: Fruita
• Population: 13,600
• Median Income: $77,680
• Popular Spots: The Dinosaur Journey Museum and the Fruita Community Center
• Median Age: 40

• Town: Glastonbury
• Population: 35,136
• Median Income: $133,450
• Popular Spots: Cotton Hollow Preserve, Riverfront Park, and the Minnechaug Golf Course
• Median Age: 44

• Town: Lewes
• Population: 3,702
• Median Income: $92,375
• Popular Spots: The Zwaanendael Museum, Cape Henlopen State Park, the Lewes Historical Society Main Campus, and the Historic Lewes Farmers Market
• Median Age: 67

• Town: Estero
• Population: 38,443
• Median Income: $100,459
• Popular Spots: Koreshan State Park, Miromar Outlets, Coconut Point, and the Estero Historical Society
• Median Age: 65

• Town: Blue Ridge
• Population: 1,600
• Median Income: $45,938
• Popular Spots: Blue Ridge Scenic Railway, Harvest on Main, and Bear Claw Vineyards & Winery, Inc.
• Median Age: 42

• Town: Hilo
• Population: 48,200
• Median Income: $78,713
• Popular Spots: The Hilo Farmer's Market, the Liliʻuokalani Gardens, Carlsmith Beach Park, Rainbow Falls, and Richardson Ocean Park
• Median Age: 42

• Town: Sandpoint
• Population: 9,240
• Median Income: $67,769
• Popular Spots: Cedar Street Bridge Public Market and Bonner County Historical Society & Museum
• Median Age: 41.5

• Town: East Moline
• Population: 20,800
• Median Income: $63,328
• Popular Spots: Campbell's Island State Historic Site and the John Deere Pavilion
• Median Age: 37

• Town: Tipton
• Population: 5,260
• Median Income: $64,709
• Popular Spots: Tipton Park, Diana Theater, and the Tipton Municipal Golf Course
• Median Age: 40

• Town: Fairfield
• Population: 9,400
• Median Income: $48,302
• Popular Spots: Fairfield Arts & Convention Center, Jefferson County Park, and the Fairfield Iowa Farmers Market
• Median Age: 40

• Town: Hesston
• Population: 3,700
• Median Income: $72,620
• Popular Spots: King Memorial Park and Dyck Arboretum of the Plains
• Median Age: 40.8

• Town: Florence
• Population: 32,300
• Median Income: $68,508
• Popular Spots: The Florence Mall, Turfway Park Racing & Gaming, and World of Golf
• Median Age: 40

• Town: Natchitoches
• Population: 17,700
• Median Income: $38,731
• Popular Spots: Natchitoches National Fish Hatchery, Roque House and Gardens, and Fort St. Jean Baptiste State Historic Site
• Median Age: 27

• Town: Waterville
• Population: 16,700
• Median Income: $47,489
• Popular Spots: Quarry Road Trails, Waterville Opera House, and Fort Halifax State Historic Site
• Median Age: 36

• Town: White Marsh
• Population: 10,500
• Median Income: $123,302
• Popular Spots: White Marsh Mall and Honeygo Run Regional Park and Community Center
• Median Age: 40

• Town: Stockbridge
• Population: 2,018
• Median Income: $131,667
• Popular Spots: Naumkeag, Norman Rockwell Museum, and the Berkshire Botanical Garden
• Median Age: 64

• Town: Ann Arbor
• Population: 121,000
• Median Income: $81,089
• Popular Spots: The University of Michigan Museum of Natural History and the Matthaei Botanical Gardens
• Median Age: 27

• Town: Ely
• Population: 3,200
• Median Income: $46,042
• Popular Spots: The International Wolf Center, North American Bear Center, and the Dorothy Molter Museum
• Median Age: 50

• Town: Ocean Springs
• Population: 18,600
• Median Income: $78,929
• Popular Spots: The Walter Anderson Museum of Art, Gulf Islands National Seashore, and Fort Maurepas City Park & Nature Preserve
• Median Age: 42

• Town: Crystal City
• Population: 4,700
• Median Income: $64,650
• Popular Spots: Crystal City Underground and Main Street
• Median Age: 43

• Town: Whitefish
• Population: 8,400
• Median Income: $71,110
• Popular Spots: Whitefish Mountain Resort, Glacier National Park, Whitefish Lake Golf Club, and the town's serene downtown
• Median Age: 43

• Town: Beatrice
• Population: 12,200
• Median Income: $54,583
• Popular Spots: Homestead National Historical Park and Beatrice Country Club
• Median Age: 43

• Town: Gardnerville
• Population: 5,800
• Median Income: $67,878
• Popular Spots: Lampe Park, Sharkey's Casino, and Carson Valley Golf Course
• Median Age: 53

• Town: Lincoln
• Population: 938
• Median Income: $56,406
• Popular Spots: Flume Gorge, Granite State Scenic Railway, Seven Birches Winery, and Loon Mountain Resort
• Median Age: 53

• Town: Cliffside Park
• Population: 25,600
• Median Income: $94,960
• Popular Spots: The King of Queens House
• Median Age: 41

• Town: Corrales
• Population: 8,560
• Median Income: $114,207
• Popular Spots: Corrales Growers Market, Casa San Ysidro, Old San Ysidro Church, and Pasando Tiempo Winery and Vineyards
• Median Age: 55

• Town: Dunkirk
• Population: 12,600
• Median Income: $49,003
• Popular Spots: Point Gratiot Park, Dunkirk City Pier, Dunkirk Lighthouse, and Chadwick Bay Marina
• Median Age: 43

• Town: Blowing Rock
• Population: 848
• Median Income: $120,865
• Popular Spots: The Blowing Rock, Moses H. Cone Memorial Park, and Blowing Rock Art & History Museum
• Median Age: 60

• Town: Jamestown
• Population: 15,800
• Median Income: $54,809
• Popular Spots: World's Largest Buffalo Monument and the Arts Center
• Median Age: 39

• Town: Chagrin Falls
• Population: 4,200
• Median Income: $96,914
• Popular Spots: Chagrin Falls Waterfall, Beartown Lakes Reservation, and Chagrin Valley Little Theatre
• Median Age: 50

• Town: Sulphur
• Population: 4,900
• Median Income: $57,531
• Popular Spots: Chickasaw Cultural Center and Chickasaw National Recreation Area
• Median Age: 40

• Town: Ashland
• Population: 21,300
• Median Income: $71,782
• Popular Spots: Lithia Park, Oregon Shakespeare Festival, and Weisinger Family Winery
• Median Age: 47.7

• Town: Marietta
• Population: 2,830
• Median Income: $56,204
• Popular Spots: Riverfront views and Hershey Gardens (nearby)
• Median Age: 45

• Town: Bristol
• Population: 50,600
• Median Income: $110,926
• Popular Spots: Colt State Park and Blithewold Manor, Gardens & Arboretum
• Median Age: 44

• Town: Cayce
• Population: 13,700
• Median Income: $58,095
• Popular Spots: Timmerman Trail and Congaree Creek Heritage Preserve
• Median Age: 37

• Town: Spearfish
• Population: 26,600
• Median Income: $66,766
• Popular Spots: D.C. Booth Historic National Fish Hatchery & Archives, Spearfish Parks & Recreation, and High Plains Western Heritage Center
• Median Age: 37

• Town: Dayton
• Population: 7,100
• Median Income: $56,692
• Popular Spots: Rhea County Court House Historic landmark and Pocket Wilderness
• Median Age: 39

• Town: Boerne
• Population: 19,500
• Median Income: $86,838
• Popular Spots: Cascade Caverns, Boerne City Lake Park, and Cibolo Center for Conservation
• Median Age: 38

• Town: Parowan
• Population: 3,100
• Median Income: $49,934
• Popular Spots: Dinosaur Footprint Parowan Gap and Mount Messiaen
• Median Age: 38

• Town: Rutland
• Population: 15,700
• Median Income: $55,000
• Popular Spots: Paramount Theater, Pine Hill Park, and Green Mountain National Forest
• Median Age: 48.5

• Town: Bedford
• Population: 6,700
• Median Income: $47,697
• Popular Spots: Bedford Area Welcome Center, Falling Creek Park, and Bedford Museum & Genealogical Library
• Median Age: 43

• Town: Port Townsend
• Population: 10,300
• Median Income: $60,015
• Popular Spots: Fort Worden Historical State Park, Port Townsend Marine Science Center, and Point Wilson Lighthouse
• Median Age: 59

• Town: Point Pleasant
• Population: 4,101
• Median Income: $40,837
• Popular Spots: Mothman Museum, Tu-Endie-Wei State Park, and Point Pleasant Riverfront Park
• Median Age: 47

• Town: Marinette
• Population: 11,100
• Median Income: $57,461
• Popular Spots: Stephenson Island Park, Red Arrow Park, and Marinette City Park
• Median Age: 40

• Town: Buffalo
• Population: 4,500
• Median Income: $61,813
• Popular Spots: Jim Gatchell Memorial Museum and the Buffalo Golf Club
• Median Age: 49