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10 Places Retirees Are Picking Over the South (#6 Is a Clever Option)

Affordability, taxes, health care access, and lifestyle preferences reshape where Americans choose to settle.

By Roxana Loomes , Edited by Sara Albertelli

Updated April 9, 2026

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For years, retirees have followed a traditional retirement plan: head south for warmer weather and lower costs. However, this pattern may be starting to shift. In 2025, slightly more than 2.1 million Americans aged 65 and older changed residences, and about 20% of them moved across state lines, according to Hire a Helper.

While Southern states still draw many retirees, a growing share are choosing destinations in the West, Midwest, and Mid-Atlantic instead. The reasons are varied, but they all boil down to affordability and peace of mind.

Let's find out more about the 10 places retirees are increasingly picking over the South.

Editor's note: All cost-of-living figures have been sourced from Payscale.

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Arizona

Arizona has emerged as the top retirement destination in the country outside of the Southeast. The state recorded a net gain of 2,512 retirees in 2025, ranking fourth in retiree migration.

Warm winters, large senior communities, and relatively manageable taxes make cities like Mesa and Tucson appealing for retirees who want year-round sunshine without moving to Florida.

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Nevada

Nevada attracts many retirees, despite having a higher cost of living than the U.S. average. They appreciate perks such as no state income tax, warm climate, and active adult communities.

Las Vegas, Nevada, ranked as the most popular destination city, drawing 7,854 movers of retirement age in 2025, likely seeking a similar laid-back lifestyle to the South but with lower humidity and fewer extreme-weather concerns.

Idaho

With a reasonable cost of living by comparison to the national average, Idaho catches the eye of retirees who want to save on basics like food, transportation, and utilities.

Places like Boise have been seeing a steady influx of older residents, especially those interested in a slower pace of life in scenic surroundings.

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Utah

Utah is emerging as a lifestyle retirement choice, rather than a traditional one. Its biggest draw is its beautiful outdoors, encompassing diverse landscapes from the Rockies to the Salt Flats.

While Utah taxes Social Security and pension income, it has a relatively low cost of living, with low property taxes due to its incentives for homeowners. An added draw is its safety: WalletHub listed it as the fifth safest state in the nation in 2025.

Washington

Hardly the cheapest place to retire, Washington attracts seniors who prioritize the great outdoors and accessible health care over pure cost. Among the main reasons retirees take the plunge in this Pacific Northwest state are access to major medical facilities in places like Seattle and Tacoma, and the absence of state income tax on Social Security.

If you're leaving an expensive state like California, Washington can feel like a step toward more peace of mind and a better quality of life.

Delaware

Delaware often flies under the radar as a retirement destination, but it's a clever golden-years option for many retirees, especially those from the Northeast.

It has no state sales tax and a cost of living that's 4% lower than the national average. Its tax breaks on retirement income, easy access to major metro areas and health care hubs, and big-city amenities make it the smart middle-ground choice for your retirement plan.

Retirement News: Almost 80% of Americans fear a retirement age increase — here’s the real reason why

Pennsylvania

Believe it or not, but the Keystone State often ranks high on the list of top places to retire in the U.S. In 2026, a WalletHub study named it the eighth-best state for seniors to settle in. It fits seniors who want affordability while staying relatively close to family in the Northeast or Mid-Atlantic.

To make the most of Pennsylvania, consider smaller cities, where housing remains affordable. If they're close to larger hubs, you can take advantage of the widely available major hospital networks.

Michigan

While Michigan winters can be harsh, retirees are drawn to the Great Lakes lifestyle, combined with relatively affordable real estate compared with coastal states.

Want a destination? Midland, Michigan, has been named the number one place to retire in 2026 by U.S. News and World Report. Like the rest of the state, it offers retirees lower housing costs, safety, four distinct seasons, and easy access to outdoor pursuits.

Wisconsin

Unlike Florida, Wisconsin doesn't attract retirees with sun-soaked beaches and mild winters. In fact, its colder climate may be off-putting to many seniors. That is, until they realize they can live in stable communities like Two Rivers or Elkhorn, with easy access to outdoor recreation and lakes.

Minnesota

Minnesota isn't a traditional retirement destination, but seniors increasingly choose it for its high-quality health care systems, stable housing market, and affordability. While public transportation costs are higher than the U.S. average, the overall cost of living is 8% lower than the national average.

Like Wisconsin, it's becoming more of a draw as retirees prioritize long-term livability and a clean, natural environment over warm weather and sunshine.

Bottom line

For decades, retiring to the South was a common practice. However, new migration data shows retirees spreading out across the West, Midwest, and Mid-Atlantic in search of a more affordable lifestyle. Arizona remains the top destination outside the Southeast, but Delaware is a clever option that proves that a stress-free retirement doesn't always require a coastal or Sun Belt move.

One of the smartest ways to choose your retirement destination is to look at net migration trends for people your age. Reviewing Census migration data, cost-of-living indexes, and Medicare network accessibility can reveal promising places that aren't yet retirement hubs.

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