The 15 Worst U.S. Cities for Retirement (Who Would Retire to #6?)

You'll often come across lists with the best places to retire, citing reasons like great hospital systems, low taxes, and an abundance of retiree-friendly activities. But what about the cities to avoid?

Not all places are created equal, and these 15 cities may be great, but not for your later years. Whether it's due to a lack of affordability or a poor hospital system, these cities rank low on the list of top places to retire. Retirement is about more than finding a scenic place to live.

Monthly expenses, access to quality medical care, reliable transportation, and opportunities to stay active all play a major role in determining whether a community is a practical fit. Looking beyond headline attractions can help retirees avoid stretching their budgets or sacrificing the services and lifestyle they want during their later years.

You could boost your retirement fund by dodging the following less-than-ideal cities.

Editor's note: Median home sale prices were sourced from Redfin, and cost-of-living figures were sourced from BestPlaces. 

It may not come as a surprise that glamorous Beverly Hills is one of the worst places to retire in the United States. 

With a median home sale price of $6.1 million, your retirement funds better be skyrocketing to afford this star-studded city. Even retirees with substantial savings may find ongoing expenses challenging. Property taxes, insurance, maintenance, dining, and everyday services often come with premium price tags that can quickly increase a fixed monthly budget.

While Beverly Hills offers luxury shopping, upscale restaurants, and proximity to world-class cultural attractions, many retirees may decide that those perks are not enough to justify the exceptionally high cost of living when more affordable communities can provide similar access to health care and recreation.

While Bridgeport has a good health care system, which is a bonus for retirees, it unfortunately isn't retirement-friendly in many other areas. 

It's generally seen as a high-cost-of-living area and doesn't provide a vibrant social and activity scene for older residents. Plus, Connecticut has some of the highest taxes in the country. Higher everyday expenses can make it more difficult for retirees to stick to a fixed income, especially when housing, utilities, and other necessities take up a larger share of the monthly budget.

Although nearby cities offer cultural attractions and services, retirees looking for an active retirement community with plentiful senior-focused amenities and lower overall costs may find better options elsewhere in the region.

Located in Hawaii, which has the second-highest tax burden in the country, Kahului may be beautiful, but it's not great for retirees. 

Only about 21% of the population is over 65, according to the United States Census Bureau. For those who do make Kahului home, the median home price is just over $1 million. High home costs and high taxes on retirement income? That's not a great way to retire. And while Hawaii doesn't tax Social Security benefits, those likely won't be enough to sustain you in Kahului.

The island's stunning scenery, warm weather, and outdoor recreation are undeniable draws, but daily necessities often cost more because many goods must be shipped in. Retirees who depend on predictable monthly expenses may find groceries, utilities, and home maintenance more expensive than they expected. Those added costs can make it harder to balance enjoying paradise with preserving retirement savings over the long term.

A poor hospital system, lack of retirement-friendly activities, low affordability, and low quality of life all factor into Newark being one of the worst places to retire. 

You'll pay $590,000 for a median home price and have the eighth-highest tax burden of all states, according to WalletHub. There are few advantages to retiring here besides an airport and access to New York City. While being close to New York City expands access to entertainment, museums, and specialized medical care, retirees may not use those amenities often enough to justify the higher housing costs and taxes.

Traffic, congestion, and the overall pace of the area can also be less appealing for people hoping to enjoy a quieter retirement with lower day-to-day expenses.

While San Bernardino has one of the lowest cost-of-living scores in Southern California, that doesn't necessarily mean it's a good place to retire. 

Unlike Los Angeles, you'll go without a top-ranked health care system, a vibrant community, and activities for all ages. Retirees often place a premium on convenient access to medical specialists, community centers, parks, and social opportunities that encourage an active lifestyle. Saving money compared with neighboring Southern California cities may not fully offset those tradeoffs.

Anyone considering the area should carefully compare local health care access, transportation needs, and recreational options before deciding it is the right place to spend retirement.

While some lists will rank Detroit among good places to retire because Michigan is a low-tax state with a low cost of living, those shouldn't be the only considerations. 

Detroit ranks poorly in both its health care system and quality of life, which are important when you're looking to enjoy your later years. Affordable housing and lower taxes can certainly stretch retirement dollars, but many retirees also want dependable health services, safe neighborhoods, and convenient amenities.

Choosing a retirement destination often involves balancing financial savings with comfort and access to everyday services. For many people, quality of life ultimately carries just as much weight as keeping monthly costs low.

Vancouver has an above-average cost of living compared to the rest of the country.

Even with no income tax, the somewhat expensive housing market with a median home sale price of $490,000, plus traffic, dreary weather, and a middle-of-the-road health care ranking, make it a less-than-desirable place to retire. Although retirees can enjoy access to parks and the nearby Columbia River, the area's housing costs and growing population may put pressure on household budgets.

People hoping to downsize or simplify their finances may discover that savings from Washington's lack of an income tax do not completely offset higher living expenses and the competitive housing market.

With housing and groceries above the national average and Maryland's overall tax burden that ranks it as the seventh-highest in the country, Baltimore is not a friendly place for retirees. 

However, it does have access to the Johns Hopkins University and the University of Maryland Medical College health systems, which could be a draw for some residents. Access to nationally recognized hospitals may be valuable for retirees with ongoing medical needs, but many healthy retirees may prioritize affordability instead.

Balancing higher taxes and everyday expenses against excellent medical care is a personal decision, and those seeking to maximize their retirement income may prefer communities with lower housing costs and a lighter overall financial burden.

Wichita has some good things going for it when it comes to retirement. The median home sale price is $240,000, and the cost of living is 17% lower than the national average. 

But it ranks poorly for its health care system, activities, and quality of life, which may not outweigh the economic advantages. Lower housing costs can make it easier for retirees to preserve their savings, but affordability is only one piece of the equation. Many retirees also want easy access to quality medical care, cultural attractions, volunteer opportunities, and recreational activities that help them stay engaged.

If those priorities rank high on your list, the financial savings alone may not be enough to make Wichita the right long-term choice.

With its high income taxes, it's not shocking that California cities repeatedly show up as the worst places to retire. 

In Rancho Cucamonga, the health care system, activities, and affordability also hurt retirees. Plus, you'll pay a median home price of $764,542. The city offers mountain views and access to Southern California attractions, but retirees should also consider the long-term impact of housing expenses and everyday costs.

A fixed retirement income can become stretched when mortgage payments, property-related expenses, and general living costs remain elevated year after year. Comparing nearby communities may reveal better value without giving up access to many of the same regional amenities.

There are some good things about Lubbock, including the cost of living being 19% below the national average.  

There's no income tax in Texas, but this doesn't outweigh Lubbock's poor quality of life, lack of activities, and below-average health care system. While lower living costs can free up more room in a retirement budget, many retirees also want opportunities to stay socially active and maintain easy access to medical specialists.

Saving on taxes is helpful, but it may not compensate for fewer entertainment options or health care concerns if those factors have a greater impact on everyday life.

Lynnwood may have access to beautiful Pacific Northwest landscapes, but that doesn't mean it's a great place to retire. 

It has a higher-than-average cost of living and a median housing price of $750,000. Plus, only 16.7% of its population is over 65. The nearby mountains, forests, and waterfront create plenty of opportunities for outdoor recreation, but retirees should also weigh the financial realities of living in the area. Higher housing costs can leave less room in the budget for travel, hobbies, or unexpected medical expenses.

Those seeking a larger retiree community with lower costs may find stronger options elsewhere in Washington or neighboring states.

Charming Wilmette may seem like an idyllic place for Chicago retirees to escape the city, but it's going to cost them, and that makes it one of the worst places to retire. 

You'll pay, as a median price, $1.279,234 million to buy a house in Wilmette, and its property taxes are among the highest in the country, so even if you own your home outright, you're still paying a pretty penny. High property taxes can become an ongoing expense that affects retirees long after purchasing a home. Even those with significant home equity may find annual housing costs difficult to justify on a fixed income.

While the community offers attractive neighborhoods and convenient access to Chicago, many retirees could find comparable amenities in more affordable suburbs with lower long-term ownership costs.

Snowbirds love Miami, but that doesn't mean it's the best place for their wallets to spend their older years. 

Miami's median home sale price of $652,110 isn't going to be friendly for retirees looking to save and be smart homeowners, even if they're in the market for no income tax. This is when life at The Villages starts to look more appealing. Florida's lack of a state income tax is an advantage, but retirees should also consider housing costs, homeowners insurance, and everyday expenses that can add up over time.

Miami's beaches, dining, and cultural attractions are appealing, yet maintaining that lifestyle may require a much larger retirement budget than many people expect. Careful financial planning is especially important before making the move.

Dreaming of a picturesque New England retirement? Skip Brookline, Massachusetts. 

You'll pay $1,325,000 for the median home price in Brookline. Plus, Massachusetts residents have one of the highest tax burdens in the country, which only adds to its lack of affordability for retirees. Brookline offers attractive neighborhoods, historic charm, and convenient access to Boston's world-class hospitals and cultural institutions. Even so, retirees should carefully evaluate whether those benefits justify the substantial housing costs and ongoing tax burden.

Choosing a more affordable community nearby could allow retirees to enjoy many of the same regional amenities while leaving more room in their budgets for travel, hobbies, and unexpected expenses.

While all of these facts and figures speak to whether a city is a good or bad place to retire from an objective standpoint, they do miss one key factor: relationships. Not every decision should be about how to avoid throwing money away.

Does your family live nearby? That's a good place to retire (assuming you get along with them). Did you grow up in this city and have lifelong friends here? Those deep relationships could outweigh any tax burden when deciding where you want to plant your roots in your golden years.

At the same time, it's worth taking an honest look at your long-term budget before committing to a move. Comparing housing costs, taxes, access to health care, transportation, and everyday living expenses can help ensure your retirement savings last as long as possible. The best retirement destination is one that balances financial stability with the people, services, and lifestyle that matter most to you.