Real Estate

Top 50 cities for a worktirement

Written by:
Joseph Bien-Kahn
February 19, 2018
GagliardiPhotography // Shutterstock

Top 50 Cities to have a worktirement

The idea of a state-supported retirement is credited to Otto von Bismarck—by the end of the 1800s, the German government provided a pension to any citizen over 70. Of course, at that time, there were not a whole lot of people living to 70—today, according to CDC statistics, the average American 65-year-old male will live 18 years longer and the average 65-year-old female will live over 20! Because of leaps in medicine, nutrition, and exercise, retirements are lasting longer than ever. 

The personal finance company SmartAsset has provided data to help us rank the 50 Best Cities for a "Worktirement." By considering factors like tax rate, the size and unemployment rate of the senior population, the cost of housing, and the doctor's offices per resident, each city is given a Stacker Worktirement score. While many people might have guessed Boca Raton is the best place to retire — some of the other entries might surprise you. Who knew the bingo scene was so popping in Montana? 

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#50. Longview, TX

Index: 74.08

Tax Rate: 16.54%

Seniors as Percent of Population: 13.90%

Senior Median Household Income: $40,439

Housing Costs: $9,588

Senior Unemployment Rate: 4.50%

Doctor's Offices per 1,000 Residents: 2.3

Retirement Communities per 1,000 Residents: 0.11

Recreation Centers per 1,000: 0.41

#49. Grand Rapids, MI

Index: 74.20

Tax Rate: 15.73%

Seniors as Percent of Population: 11.40%

Senior Median Household Income: $34,236

Housing Costs: $9,912

Senior Unemployment Rate: 3.60%

Doctor's Offices per 1,000 Residents: 2.4

Retirement Communities per 1,000 Residents: 0.172

Recreation Centers per 1,000: 0.67

#48. Reno, NV

Index: 74.37

Tax Rate: 16.22%

Seniors as Percent of Population: 13.10%

Senior Median Household Income: $42,612

Housing Costs: $11,568

Senior Unemployment Rate: 5.60%

Doctor's Offices per 1,000 Residents: 2.1

Retirement Communities per 1,000 Residents: 0.188

Recreation Centers per 1,000: 0.66

#47. Southfield, MI

Index: 74.49

Tax Rate: 15.45%

Seniors as Percent of Population: 18.20%

Senior Median Household Income: $35,123

Housing Costs: $13,008

Senior Unemployment Rate: 4.90%

Doctor's Offices per 1,000 Residents: 5

Retirement Communities per 1,000 Residents: 0.165

Recreation Centers per 1,000: 0.36

#46. Richmond, VA

Index: 74.61

Tax Rate: 14.48%

Seniors as Percent of Population: 11.40%

Senior Median Household Income: $35,196

Housing Costs: $11,784

Senior Unemployment Rate: 1.50%

Doctor's Offices per 1,000 Residents: 2.3

Retirement Communities per 1,000 Residents: 0.173

Recreation Centers per 1,000: 0.8

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#45. Springfield, IL

Index: 74.89

Tax Rate: 17.49%

Seniors as Percent of Population: 15.20%

Senior Median Household Income: $42,800

Housing Costs: $9,408

Senior Unemployment Rate: 1.20%

Doctor's Offices per 1,000 Residents: 1.3

Retirement Communities per 1,000 Residents: 0.111

Recreation Centers per 1,000: 0.69

#44. Ann Arbor, MI

Index: 74.93

Tax Rate: 15.45%

Seniors as Percent of Population: 10.80%

Senior Median Household Income: $59,736

Housing Costs: $14,076

Senior Unemployment Rate: 2.40%

Doctor's Offices per 1,000 Residents: 1.8

Retirement Communities per 1,000 Residents: 0.06

Recreation Centers per 1,000: 0.8

#43. Norman, OK

Index: 75.05

Tax Rate: 17.15%

Seniors as Percent of Population: 11.40%

Senior Median Household Income: $47,426

Housing Costs: $10,824

Senior Unemployment Rate: 2.30%

Doctor's Offices per 1,000 Residents: 1.9

Retirement Communities per 1,000 Residents: 0.094

Recreation Centers per 1,000: 0.41

#42. Portland, OR

Index: 75.37

Tax Rate: 13.38%

Seniors as Percent of Population: 11.30%

Senior Median Household Income: $44,084

Housing Costs: $14,832

Senior Unemployment Rate: 5.30%

Doctor's Offices per 1,000 Residents: 2.4

Retirement Communities per 1,000 Residents: 0.444

Recreation Centers per 1,000: 0.87

#41. Amarillo, TX

Index: 75.41

Tax Rate: 16.38%

Seniors as Percent of Population: 12.40%

Senior Median Household Income: $40,327

Housing Costs: $10,092

Senior Unemployment Rate: 2.00%

Doctor's Offices per 1,000 Residents: 1.8

Retirement Communities per 1,000 Residents: 0.051

Recreation Centers per 1,000: 0.39

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#40. Sioux Falls, SD

Index: 75.86

Tax Rate: 14.52%

Seniors as Percent of Population: 11.60%

Senior Median Household Income: $37,694

Housing Costs: $10,296

Senior Unemployment Rate: 3.20%

Doctor's Offices per 1,000 Residents: 1.2

Retirement Communities per 1,000 Residents: 0.097

Recreation Centers per 1,000: 0.88

#39. San Angelo, TX

Index: 76.14

Tax Rate: 16.50%

Seniors as Percent of Population: 13.90%

Senior Median Household Income: $39,565

Housing Costs: $10,452

Senior Unemployment Rate: 0.90%

Doctor's Offices per 1,000 Residents: 0.9

Retirement Communities per 1,000 Residents: 0.102

Recreation Centers per 1,000: 0.4

#38. Redwood City, CA

Index: 76.34

Tax Rate: 18.05%

Seniors as Percent of Population: 11.60%

Senior Median Household Income: $66,489

Housing Costs: $25,824

Senior Unemployment Rate: 0.80%

Doctor's Offices per 1,000 Residents: 1.8

Retirement Communities per 1,000 Residents: 0.295

Recreation Centers per 1,000: 0.76

#37. Duluth, MN

Index: 76.66

Tax Rate: 20.56%

Seniors as Percent of Population: 14.60%

Senior Median Household Income: $36,881

Housing Costs: $10,032

Senior Unemployment Rate: 0.70%

Doctor's Offices per 1,000 Residents: 1.1

Retirement Communities per 1,000 Residents: 0.337

Recreation Centers per 1,000: 0.86

#36. Fort Myers, FL

Index: 77.07

Tax Rate: 14.65%

Seniors as Percent of Population: 18.00%

Senior Median Household Income: $31,964

Housing Costs: $10,500

Senior Unemployment Rate: 9.00%

Doctor's Offices per 1,000 Residents: 6.7

Retirement Communities per 1,000 Residents: 0.277

Recreation Centers per 1,000: 1.53

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#35. Alexandria, VA

Index: 77.67

Tax Rate: 15.11%

Seniors as Percent of Population: 9.80%

Senior Median Household Income: $75,995

Housing Costs: $21,324

Senior Unemployment Rate: 2.40%

Doctor's Offices per 1,000 Residents: 2.4

Retirement Communities per 1,000 Residents: 0.08

Recreation Centers per 1,000: 0.72

#34. Redding, CA

Index: 78.15

Tax Rate: 16.70%

Seniors as Percent of Population: 18.30%

Senior Median Household Income: $40,117

Housing Costs: $11,856

Senior Unemployment Rate: 4.90%

Doctor's Offices per 1,000 Residents: 2.6

Retirement Communities per 1,000 Residents: 0.351

Recreation Centers per 1,000: 0.38

#33. Mission Viejo, CA

Index: 78.19

Tax Rate: 17.15%

Seniors as Percent of Population: 17.00%

Senior Median Household Income: $64,829

Housing Costs: $24,972

Senior Unemployment Rate: 2.70%

Doctor's Offices per 1,000 Residents: 2.5

Retirement Communities per 1,000 Residents: 0.448

Recreation Centers per 1,000: 0.34

#32. Bellevue, WA

Index: 78.23

Tax Rate: 17.83%

Seniors as Percent of Population: 14.00%

Senior Median Household Income: $68,871

Housing Costs: $20,952

Senior Unemployment Rate: 5.00%

Doctor's Offices per 1,000 Residents: 3.3

Retirement Communities per 1,000 Residents: 0.438

Recreation Centers per 1,000: 0.65

#31. Napa, CA

Index: 78.40

Tax Rate: 17.15%

Seniors as Percent of Population: 14.00%

Senior Median Household Income: $58,728

Housing Costs: $19,044

Senior Unemployment Rate: 2.70%

Doctor's Offices per 1,000 Residents: 1.5

Retirement Communities per 1,000 Residents: 0.215

Recreation Centers per 1,000: 0.51

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#30. Hollywood, FL

Index: 78.84

Tax Rate: 14.65%

Seniors as Percent of Population: 15.80%

Senior Median Household Income: $37,336

Housing Costs: $13,500

Senior Unemployment Rate: 3.60%

Doctor's Offices per 1,000 Residents: 5.3

Retirement Communities per 1,000 Residents: 0.204

Recreation Centers per 1,000: 1.12

#29. Miami, FL

Index: 78.88

Tax Rate: 15.56%

Seniors as Percent of Population: 16.00%

Senior Median Household Income: $16,099

Housing Costs: $12,576

Senior Unemployment Rate: 3.60%

Doctor's Offices per 1,000 Residents: 8.2

Retirement Communities per 1,000 Residents: 0.455

Recreation Centers per 1,000: 1.72

#28. Upland, CA

Index: 79.28

Tax Rate: 17.15%

Seniors as Percent of Population: 14.10%

Senior Median Household Income: $50,578

Housing Costs: $16,944

Senior Unemployment Rate: 1.90%

Doctor's Offices per 1,000 Residents: 2.8

Retirement Communities per 1,000 Residents: 0.119

Recreation Centers per 1,000: 0.37

#27. Lakeland, FL

Index: 79.52

Tax Rate: 15.56%

Seniors as Percent of Population: 20.60%

Senior Median Household Income: $32,178

Housing Costs: $9,708

Senior Unemployment Rate: 2.50%

Doctor's Offices per 1,000 Residents: 2.3

Retirement Communities per 1,000 Residents: 0.118

Recreation Centers per 1,000: 0.56

#26. Vancouver, WA

Index: 79.89

Tax Rate: 16.83%

Seniors as Percent of Population: 13.70%

Senior Median Household Income: $38,970

Housing Costs: $12,960

Senior Unemployment Rate: 2.20%

Doctor's Offices per 1,000 Residents: 1.9

Retirement Communities per 1,000 Residents: 0.738

Recreation Centers per 1,000: 0.55

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#25. Fort Lauderdale, FL

Index: 80.05

Tax Rate: 14.65%

Seniors as Percent of Population: 16.30%

Senior Median Household Income: $43,527

Housing Costs: $14,952

Senior Unemployment Rate: 5.50%

Doctor's Offices per 1,000 Residents: 10.9

Retirement Communities per 1,000 Residents: 0.363

Recreation Centers per 1,000: 2.65

#24. Honolulu, HI

Index: 80.77

Tax Rate: 15.97%

Seniors as Percent of Population: 18.40%

Senior Median Household Income: $55,882

Housing Costs: $16,908

Senior Unemployment Rate: 4.00%

Doctor's Offices per 1,000 Residents: 2.4

Retirement Communities per 1,000 Residents: 0.078

Recreation Centers per 1,000: 0.48

#22 (tie). West Palm Beach, FL

Index: 81.86

Tax Rate: 14.65%

Seniors as Percent of Population: 17.80%

Senior Median Household Income: $48,678

Housing Costs: $13,308

Senior Unemployment Rate: 6.30%

Doctor's Offices per 1,000 Residents: 5.3

Retirement Communities per 1,000 Residents: 0.299

Recreation Centers per 1,000: 1.39

#22 (tie). Youngstown, OH

Index: 81.86

Tax Rate: 16.04%

Seniors as Percent of Population: 16.10%

Senior Median Household Income: $24,310

Housing Costs: $6,564

Senior Unemployment Rate: 0.90%

Doctor's Offices per 1,000 Residents: 4.8

Retirement Communities per 1,000 Residents: 0.275

Recreation Centers per 1,000: 0.73

#20 (tie). Santa Fe, NM

Index: 82.55

Tax Rate: 19.50%

Seniors as Percent of Population: 18.30%

Senior Median Household Income: $56,909

Housing Costs: $11,844

Senior Unemployment Rate: 3.30%

Doctor's Offices per 1,000 Residents: 2.9

Retirement Communities per 1,000 Residents: 0.096

Recreation Centers per 1,000: 1.64

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#20 (tie). Richardson, TX

Index: 82.55

Tax Rate: 16.70%

Seniors as Percent of Population: 13.50%

Senior Median Household Income: $61,667

Housing Costs: $15,732

Senior Unemployment Rate: 1.50%

Doctor's Offices per 1,000 Residents: 2.3

Retirement Communities per 1,000 Residents: 0.085

Recreation Centers per 1,000: 0.44

#19. Clearwater, FL

Index: 83.07

Tax Rate: 15.56%

Seniors as Percent of Population: 21.30%

Senior Median Household Income: $34,481

Housing Costs: $11,964

Senior Unemployment Rate: 3.20%

Doctor's Offices per 1,000 Residents: 3.9

Retirement Communities per 1,000 Residents: 0.29

Recreation Centers per 1,000: 0.67

#18. Erie, PA

Index: 83.19

Tax Rate: 15.45%

Seniors as Percent of Population: 13.40%

Senior Median Household Income: $28,206

Housing Costs: $8,160

Senior Unemployment Rate: 0.90%

Doctor's Offices per 1,000 Residents: 2.9

Retirement Communities per 1,000 Residents: 0.129

Recreation Centers per 1,000: 0.78

#17. Springfield, MO

Index: 84.00

Tax Rate: 16.68%

Seniors as Percent of Population: 14.90%

Senior Median Household Income: $33,828

Housing Costs: $8,172

Senior Unemployment Rate: 1.00%

Doctor's Offices per 1,000 Residents: 1.7

Retirement Communities per 1,000 Residents: 0.116

Recreation Centers per 1,000: 0.62

#16. Eugene, OR

Index: 84.28

Tax Rate: 13.38%

Seniors as Percent of Population: 14.00%

Senior Median Household Income: $48,775

Housing Costs: $12,312

Senior Unemployment Rate: 3.20%

Doctor's Offices per 1,000 Residents: 2.2

Retirement Communities per 1,000 Residents: 0.345

Recreation Centers per 1,000: 0.54

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#15. Bethlehem, PA

Index: 85.05

Tax Rate: 15.42%

Seniors as Percent of Population: 15.60%

Senior Median Household Income: $40,296

Housing Costs: $12,492

Senior Unemployment Rate: 3.50%

Doctor's Offices per 1,000 Residents: 3

Retirement Communities per 1,000 Residents: 0.173

Recreation Centers per 1,000: 0.44

#14. Roanoke, VA

Index: 85.25

Tax Rate: 14.48%

Seniors as Percent of Population: 14.70%

Senior Median Household Income: $37,607

Housing Costs: $9,492

Senior Unemployment Rate: 3.00%

Doctor's Offices per 1,000 Residents: 2

Retirement Communities per 1,000 Residents: 0.213

Recreation Centers per 1,000: 0.65

#13. Green Bay, WI

Index: 85.33

Tax Rate: 16.52%

Seniors as Percent of Population: 12.10%

Senior Median Household Income: $32,455

Housing Costs: $8,772

Senior Unemployment Rate: 2.20%

Doctor's Offices per 1,000 Residents: 1.8

Retirement Communities per 1,000 Residents: 0.21

Recreation Centers per 1,000: 0.81

#12. Santa Barbara, CA

Index: 85.81

Tax Rate: 17.15%

Seniors as Percent of Population: 15.70%

Senior Median Household Income: $52,550

Housing Costs: $19,308

Senior Unemployment Rate: 3.90%

Doctor's Offices per 1,000 Residents: 4.1

Retirement Communities per 1,000 Residents: 0.254

Recreation Centers per 1,000: 1.76

#10 (tie). Livonia, MI

Index: 86.22

Tax Rate: 15.45%

Seniors as Percent of Population: 18.10%

Senior Median Household Income: $42,912

Housing Costs: $11,940

Senior Unemployment Rate: 3.10%

Doctor's Offices per 1,000 Residents: 2.5

Retirement Communities per 1,000 Residents: 0.126

Recreation Centers per 1,000: 0.39

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#10 (tie). Troy, MI

Index: 86.22

Tax Rate: 15.45%

Seniors as Percent of Population: 15.10%

Senior Median Household Income: $50,257

Housing Costs: $14,196

Senior Unemployment Rate: 0.70%

Doctor's Offices per 1,000 Residents: 3.3

Retirement Communities per 1,000 Residents: 0.048

Recreation Centers per 1,000: 0.45

#9. Salem, OR

Index: 86.42

Tax Rate: 13.38%

Seniors as Percent of Population: 12.60%

Senior Median Household Income: $45,980

Housing Costs: $10,692

Senior Unemployment Rate: 3.20%

Doctor's Offices per 1,000 Residents: 1.8

Retirement Communities per 1,000 Residents: 0.469

Recreation Centers per 1,000: 0.52

#8. Scottsdale, AZ

Index: 86.70

Tax Rate: 17.59%

Seniors as Percent of Population: 21.90%

Senior Median Household Income: $54,594

Housing Costs: $14,844

Senior Unemployment Rate: 5.30%

Doctor's Offices per 1,000 Residents: 4.4

Retirement Communities per 1,000 Residents: 0.286

Recreation Centers per 1,000: 1.02

#7. Wilmington, DE

Index: 87.51

Tax Rate: 9.45%

Seniors as Percent of Population: 12.40%

Senior Median Household Income: $27,730

Housing Costs: $11,412

Senior Unemployment Rate: 0.70%

Doctor's Offices per 1,000 Residents: 5.1

Retirement Communities per 1,000 Residents: 0.224

Recreation Centers per 1,000: 2.15

 

#6. Portland, ME

Index: 88.75

Tax Rate: 14.20%

Seniors as Percent of Population: 12.80%

Senior Median Household Income: $38,662

Housing Costs: $13,152

Senior Unemployment Rate: 0.80%

Doctor's Offices per 1,000 Residents: 2.6

Retirement Communities per 1,000 Residents: 0.165

Recreation Centers per 1,000: 1.01

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#5. Tyler, TX

Index: 89.16

Tax Rate: 16.15%

Seniors as Percent of Population: 14.60%

Senior Median Household Income: $38,196

Housing Costs: $10,344

Senior Unemployment Rate: 2.50%

Doctor's Offices per 1,000 Residents: 2.6

Retirement Communities per 1,000 Residents: 0.149

Recreation Centers per 1,000: 0.62

#4. Edmond, OK

Index: 90.21

Tax Rate: 16.28%

Seniors as Percent of Population: 12.80%

Senior Median Household Income: $52,293

Housing Costs: $13,992

Senior Unemployment Rate: 1.60%

Doctor's Offices per 1,000 Residents: 4.1

Retirement Communities per 1,000 Residents: 0.127

Recreation Centers per 1,000: 0.73

#3. Rapid City, SD

Index: 90.53

Tax Rate: 14.20%

Seniors as Percent of Population: 15.60%

Senior Median Household Income: $41,004

Housing Costs: $10,476

Senior Unemployment Rate: 3.40%

Doctor's Offices per 1,000 Residents: 2.3

Retirement Communities per 1,000 Residents: 0.112

Recreation Centers per 1,000: 1.38

#2. Billings, MT

Index: 95.61

Tax Rate: 13.37%

Seniors as Percent of Population: 15.20%

Senior Median Household Income: $39,467

Housing Costs: $11,328

Senior Unemployment Rate: 0.50%

Doctor's Offices per 1,000 Residents: 1.6

Retirement Communities per 1,000 Residents: 0.166

Recreation Centers per 1,000: 1.4

#1. Boca Raton, FL

Index: 100.00

Tax Rate: 14.65%

Seniors as Percent of Population: 22.60%

Senior Median Household Income: $68,130

Housing Costs: $18,228

Senior Unemployment Rate: 1.90%

Doctor's Offices per 1,000 Residents: 8.9

Retirement Communities per 1,000 Residents: 0.111

Recreation Centers per 1,000: 2.05

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