The cheapest places to retire in the US should have a low cost of living, access to quality medical care, and a variety of recreational activities. Retirees looking to get the most for their retirement dollars should take close look at the cities listed below. Each of these cities is ranked in the top 10 of the least expensive urban areas in the US according to the ACCRA Cost of Living Index. Additionally, each city offers retirees access to quality medical care and a number of exciting recreational activities.
Harlingen, Texas: Lowest cost of living in the US
Harlingen, Texas is a city of approximately 75,000 located in the Rio Grande Valley region of south Texas. The ACCRA Cost of Living Index ranks Harlingen as the least expensive urban area in the US, with a cost of living index almost 20 percent lower than the national average. Harlingen may be the cheapest place to retire in the US.
Harlingen’s climate is semi-tropical with warm winters and hot summers. Harlingen’s winter high temperatures are in the low to mid 70s, while summer high temperatures are in the 90s. Harlingen averages around twenty-five inches of rainfall per year, with September typically the wettest month.
Harlingen offers excellent health care facilities. There are three hospitals and a VA clinic located in Harlingen. Valley Baptist Medical Center has been recognized as one of the top 100 hospitals in the United States.
Harlingen offers its residents many exciting recreational activities. Harlingen’s amenities include seven golf courses, numerous public parks, and Harlingen Arroyo Colorado wing of the World Birding Center. Additionally, South Padre Island, home of the best beaches in Texas, is located a mere 25 miles from Harlingen. Harlingen is also home to the Iwo Jima Memorial Museum and the Harlingen Arts and Heritage Museum.
Fort Smith, Arkansas
Fort Smith is a city of approximately 85,000 located in northwestern Arkansas near the Oklahoma border. Fort Smith’s cost of living is approximately 16 percent below the US average based upon the ACCRA cost of living index. Fort Smith has a temperate climate with hot summers and cool winters. Fort Smith’s average summer high temperatures are in the low 90s with average winter high temperatures in the low 50s. Fort Smith averages approximately 44 inches of precipitation annually.
Fort Smith is home to two major hospitals: Sparks and St. Edward Mercy. With two major hospitals and physicians covering all major specialties, Fort Smith is known as a regional health care center for western Arkansas and eastern Oklahoma. Fort Smith also offers many recreational and cultural activities.
Pueblo, Colorado
Pueblo, Colorado is a city of approximately 150,000 located in southeastern Colorado, approximately 115 miles south of Denver. Pueblo’s cost of living is approximately 15 percent lower than the US average according to the ACCRA Cost of Living Index, making Pueblo the least expensive city in Colorado and among the most affordable retirement locations in the US.
Pueblo has a dry climate with warm summers and cool winters. Pueblo’s average summer high temperatures are in the upper 80s and its average winter high temperatures are in the mid 40s. Pueblo receives an average of 11 inches of precipitation annually, with July and August typically the wettest months.
Pueblo has two large hospitals: Parkview Medical Center and St. Mary-Corwin Medical Center, which between them provide Pueblo residents with excellent health care services.
Pueblo residents have many exciting recreational opportunities. Nearby Lake Pueblo State Park is Colorado’s most visited state park, offering its visitors a variety of water sports. The Historic Arkansas Riverwalk of Pueblo is a 32 acre urban waterfront experience located in the heart of downtown Pueblo. More than 25 sculptures, statues, and ceramic murals have been erected along the riverwalk. Pueblo is also the home of the annual Wild West Festival in May and the Colorado State Fair in the late summer.
Cookeville, Tennessee:
Cookeville, Tennessee is a city of approximately 27,000 located in central Tennessee approximately half way between Nashville and Knoxville. Cookeville’s cost of living is approximately 15 percent below the US national average, making Cookeville one of the most affordable retirement locations in the US.
Cookeville has a temperate climate with warm summers and cool winters. Summer high temperatures are typically in the upper 80s while winter high temperatures are generally in the upper 40s or lower 50s. Cookeville receives about 50 inches of precipitation annually.
Cookeville Regional Medical Center is the largest health care provider in the Cookeville area. Cookeville Regional Medical Center has over 140 physicians in 36 specialties.
Recreational activities in the Cookeville area include nearby Burgess Falls State Park, the Appalachian Center for Craft, Cookeville Depot Museum, Cane Creek Park and the Cookeville History Museum.
Round Rock, Texas
Round Rock is a city of approximately 105,000. Round Rock is located in central Texas, approximately 15 miles north of Austin. Round Rock’s cost of living is approximately 14 percent less than the national average. Round Rock also has some of the lowest grocery prices in the US, averaging about 20 percent below the national average. Round Rock’s climate features hot summers and warm winters with an average rainfall of about 36 inches per year.
Round Rock is served by three hospitals which provide medical care to Round Rock, Williamson County, and north Austin. Recreational activities in Round Rock include minor league baseball at Dell Diamond, water activities at nearby Lake Travis, as well as those recreational opportunities provided by Austin.
If you are looking for a cheap place to retire, you should look at these 5 cities. They each offer a low cost of living, good healthcare, and abundant recreational activities.