Comparing the 7 Four-Season Retirement Destinations
Choosing between these low cost retirement destinations comes down to your personal climate tolerance and tax circumstances. Some retirees prefer snowy winters, while others want mild mountain air.
Use the comparison table below to evaluate rent levels, seasonal snowfall, and state tax rules across all seven cities.
| City & State | Avg. 1-BR Rent | Average Annual Snow | State Tax on Social Security | Key Geographic Feature |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Erie, PA | $750 – $885 | 100+ inches | Exempt | Lake Erie Shoreline |
| Fort Wayne, IN | $820 – $875 | 32 inches | Exempt | Midwestern River Greenway |
| Roanoke, VA | $775 – $900 | 15 inches | Exempt | Blue Ridge Valley |
| Akron, OH | $750 – $880 | 47 inches | Exempt | Cuyahoga Valley National Park |
| Peoria, IL | $800 – $880 | 25 inches | Exempt | Illinois River Basin |
| Springfield, MO | $775 – $875 | 14 inches | Exempt | Ozarks Plateau |
| Johnson City, TN | $850 – $920 | 11 inches | No State Income Tax | Southern Appalachian Ridge |
Where’s the states/ cities where seniors can retire safely without homelessness and robbery and get government assistance/benefits like in California?
Williams Arizona
Excellent advice
I’m interested in a safe State where there is no crime and there is deep respect for law and order ( respect for the police and ICE and Military personnel ).
North Korea
Williams Arizona, lots of us Retired LEOs here
I notice that all 7 places that you mentioned are in the mid-west or on the East Coast. Could you please give a similar assessment of the cheapest places for seniors to live in the west. There may not be any under $2,000.00 a month so you may have to move the bar up some what, but still give us the cheapest that you find. Thank you
Philippines is still the best place to retire