★ Best places to live
Best cities to retire in North America
Where a pension stretches furthest alongside good healthcare, low crime, clean air and a mild climate — ranked for retirees.
The Best cities to retire in North America, ranked by Retiree score across 29 cities we track in the region. Austin leads with 68/100, ahead of San Diego and Charlotte.
RankRetiree score
- 1AustinUnited States68/100
- 2San DiegoUnited States67/100
- 3CharlotteUnited States67/100
- 4GuadalajaraMexico67/100
- 5BostonUnited States66/100
- 6NashvilleUnited States66/100
- 7San AntonioUnited States66/100
- 8VancouverCanada66/100
- 9SeattleUnited States65/100
- 10HoustonUnited States65/100
- 11PortlandUnited States65/100
- 12AtlantaUnited States64/100
- 13ColumbusUnited States64/100
- 14TorontoCanada64/100
- 15MontrealCanada64/100
- 16San FranciscoUnited States63/100
- 17WashingtonUnited States63/100
- 18DallasUnited States63/100
- 19DenverUnited States63/100
- 20PhiladelphiaUnited States62/100
- 21MinneapolisUnited States62/100
- 22Los AngelesUnited States61/100
- 23ChicagoUnited States61/100
- 24PhoenixUnited States61/100
- 25Las VegasUnited States61/100
- 26New YorkUnited States60/100
- 27Mexico CityMexico60/100
- 28MiamiUnited States59/100
- 29DetroitUnited States58/100
? Frequently asked questions
Which cities top this ranking?
Austin leads at 68/100, followed by San Diego and Charlotte. The full ranking of 29 cities is listed above.
How is this ranking calculated?
We sort all 29 cities in our index by Retiree score. Figures are calibrated estimates, refreshed as we expand coverage — a practical guide, not official statistics.
Can I compare these cities in detail?
Yes. Open any city for its cost of living, rent, taxes, visas and quality of life, or use CostTrek’s side-by-side comparison to weigh two cities against each other.