7. Spokane, Washington: The Pacific Northwest Value

If you love the mountains, lakes, and pine forests of the Pacific Northwest but cannot stomach the cost of living in Seattle or Portland, Spokane is your answer. Located in eastern Washington, Spokane experiences four distinct seasons, receiving more sunshine and less rain than its coastal counterparts.

A major financial draw is Washington’s lack of a state income tax, which can save retirees thousands of dollars annually on pension and IRA withdrawals. The city is bisected by the Spokane River, which tumbles through downtown in a spectacular series of falls.

Riverfront Park and Manito Park offer gorgeous landscapes for daily walks. More importantly, Spokane serves as the medical hub for the inland Northwest, with Providence Sacred Heart Medical Center offering comprehensive, high-level care that you would rarely find in a city of this size.