Retirement Retired Life

Retirees Are Leaving These 5 Cities in Droves (And Going to These 5 Spots Instead)

Find out which five cities retirees are trading for their perfect retirement haven.

By Chris Lewis, CEPF , Edited by Laura Hohenstein

Updated Oct. 7, 2026

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When creating your retirement plan, you often make an important decision about where to live after you stop working full-time. Should you stay close to your children and grandchildren? Should you escape harsh winters? Where will your retirement savings last the longest?

This year marks a surge in Americans reaching retirement age, as more than 4 million people are expected to turn 65 each year through 2027, per the Alliance for Lifetime Income. So where are they moving from and where are they going?

Here are a few cities that are seeing former workers moving on for their retired lives and some places that are welcoming them instead.

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1. New York City

New York City is a business and cultural center, but it's also an area with a high cost of living. That could be a turn-off for retirees on a fixed income who want to avoid wasting money, which is why so many retirees may be moving out.

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2. Los Angeles, California

Another major city retirees are fleeing is Los Angeles, which may also be seeing a decline because of its high cost of living. According to Redfin, housing costs alone are 156% above the national average, and the cost of living is 52% above.

One reason for the move may be California's taxes, with other nearby states offering retirees better tax rates than the Golden State.

3. Chicago, Illinois

The Windy City may be blowing some retirees out of town. Illinois tied with Michigan as the top state for outbound moves in Allied Van Lines' 2025 migration report, with 58% of moves heading out of state.

Like other major cities, the cost of living could be a factor, as well as the weather. Chicago is colder than locations farther south, which may appeal more to retirees.

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4. Seattle, Washington

Seattle is home to major companies like Microsoft, Amazon, and others, but those high-paying jobs could push prices higher and retirees out.

The median sale price for a home in Seattle was $874,421 in August 2026, according to Redfin. In 2025, nearly 8,000 more baby boomers moved out of Washington than moved into the state, according to Retirement Living.

5. Jersey City, New Jersey

Like New York, New Jersey is experiencing the impact of retirees leaving amid a high cost of living. PayScale reports that Jersey City's cost of living is 28% above the national average, with housing costs alone running 85% higher.

Now let's see where all of these retirees are going.

1. Mesa, Arizona

Arizona has become a popular destination for retirees.

Just east of Phoenix, Mesa added 4,499 new residents between July 2024 and July 2025, according to the Arizona Office of Economic Opportunity. The city's lower sales tax compared with Phoenix may be helping drive its appeal.

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2. Henderson, Nevada

Nevada is one of nine states with zero state income tax, which may make it appealing to retirees, especially those on a tight budget.

Henderson is considered part of the Las Vegas metropolitan area, so retirees aren't far from entertainment, restaurants, casinos, and more if they move to Henderson.

3. San Antonio, Texas

Another state that doesn't have a state income tax is Texas, so retirees may give the Lone Star State a gold star as a retirement destination.

San Antonio may appeal to price-conscious residents because its housing is more affordable than that of other Texas cities. According to real estate site Redfin, San Antonio had a median sale price of $264,825 in August 2026, cheaper than other cities in the state.

By contrast, Austin had a median sale price of $549,636, while the median sale price in Dallas was $448,703.

4. Boise, Idaho

Another affordable city is Boise, which may appeal to West Coast retirees who want to stay in the West. As the state's capital, the city centers around the Boise River Greenbelt, with trails and parks.

According to United Van Lines' 2025 National Movers Study, Idaho was one of the top 10 states where people moved.

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5. Jacksonville, Florida

In the northeastern corner of Florida, Jacksonville is a thriving metropolitan area with an NFL franchise and large businesses. But it also offers the warm weather and beaches that appeal to many retirees.

And unlike more expensive cities, Jacksonville is a great option if you want to live in Florida and keep more cash in your wallet. The city's median sale price for a home was $308,890 in August 2026.

Bottom line

Saving for your retirement should be one of the main activities in your working life. As you get close to retiring from full-time work and consider where you'll live, you'll need to make a future budget.

In addition to housing, remember to include retirement activities such as traveling or the cost of pursuing a hobby like golf.

If you've done a good job of investing and saving money, you'll be able to stretch your retirement dollars further.

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