15 Affordable Retirement Spots Every Travel Enthusiast Must Consider

These U.S. cities make retirement travel easy & living more affordable

Fact checked by Vikki Velasquez

Retirement doesn’t have to mean slowing down. For many people, it’s a long-awaited opportunity to explore the world without work and family obligations hovering over your shoulder.

It’s become an increasingly popular dream. In 2024, 76% of pre-retirees reported that travel is what they’re most looking forward to in retirement.

If that sounds like you, putting down roots in the right location can make it much easier to maintain a mobile lifestyle. Here are 15 U.S. cities to consider that are affordable and offer easy access to various travel methods.

Key Takeaways

• Traveling is a popular pastime in retirement, and where you settle has a significant impact on your ability to do it.
• The best retirement destinations for travelers offer ready access to long-range transportation methods, such as major airports, highways, and train stations.
• Local exploration opportunities—like scenic drives, national parks, and historic sites—can make day-to-day adventures more accessible.
• Keeping your housing, transportation, and food costs in check is one of the most effective ways to make room in the budget for travel.
• The average American household spends roughly $4,050 per month across those three key categories.

Albuquerque, New Mexico

Known as the hot air balloon capital of the world, Albuquerque is a compelling base for retirees who want to stay on the move. You can visit Southwest treasures like Carlsbad Caverns in just a few hours by car—often enjoying iconic red rock views along the way—and Albuquerque International Sunport is only four miles from the county center.

The area’s low cost of living can also help you stretch your travel budget. Housing and food offer the most significant savings, with median monthly costs of $1,140 and $627. Both are roughly $200 below their respective national figures of $1,338 and $832. Transportation is also slightly less expensive, costing around $1,081 compared to $1,098 nationally.

Note

Housing, transportation, and food are the three biggest categories in the average consumer’s annual expenditures, accounting for roughly 63% of all spending.

Boise, Idaho

Boise is a goldmine for those who enjoy visiting national parks. Locals have two national forests—Boise and Sawtooth—practically in their backyard, and Yellowstone makes for an easy weekend getaway. In addition, Boise Airport is just seven miles from the county center when you need a change of pace.

Despite being a city of more than 230,000 people, Boise also has a manageable cost of living. Median monthly housing and transportation costs—$1,428 and $1,270—are only slightly above the national figures. Meanwhile, food is less expensive than usual at around $758 per month.

Cape Coral, Florida

Cape Coral’s close proximity to Southwest Florida International Airport is a prerequisite for making this list, but what sets the city apart are its waterways. With more than 400 miles of navigable canals—enough to make Venice jealous—it’s a paradise for retirees who would enjoy paddling to the picturesque destinations nearby, like Matlacha Pass Aquatic Preserve.

Lee County’s affordable cost of living can also help support an adventurous lifestyle. Its housing and transportation costs are close to average, but its median monthly food expenses are well below typical for the U.S. They sit at roughly $701 per month compared to $832 countrywide.

Chicago, Illinois

In addition to offering deep-dish pizza, lakefront views, and an iconic skyline, the Windy City is one of the best-connected cities in the country. Within the city limits is the Chicago Union Station—Amtrak’s flagship station in the Midwest—and two international airports: Chicago Midway International Airport (MDW) and O’Hare International Airport.

Housing costs in Cook County are above average at $1,513 per month, but transportation is more affordable than in other parts of the country, costing about $1,023 per month. You can also expect to save on food, with the median household spending $703 per month. That’s about $130 less than the national figure.

Columbus, Ohio

Columbus strikes a rare balance. It’s a major city with plenty to do, but the traffic is manageable and prices are reasonable. Combined with its central location and proximity to John Glenn Columbus International Airport—just seven miles from the county center—it makes an excellent headquarters for travel-hungry retirees.

Despite being home to nearly a million people, the city is still affordable enough to facilitate a wandering lifestyle. Monthly housing and transportation costs are very close to the national median, but food costs are even lower. Residents can expect to feed themselves for just $653 per month, nearly $180 less than the typical American.

Detroit, Michigan

The Motor City is another great place to call home if you want to spend your retirement motoring around. Thanks to the Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport—one of the busiest hubs in the Midwest—it’s easy for locals to launch trips across the country. There’s also plenty to explore nearby, from scenic drives around the Great Lakes to charming day trips across the Canadian border.

In addition, Detroit is one of the most affordable big cities in the country. Food expenses average just $620, more than $200 below the national median. Housing costs are even more steeply discounted at $1,039 compared to $1,338 nationwide.

Even with transportation running high at $1,156, the combined savings across the big three categories is significant.

Altogether, Detroit retirees can expect to spend about $450 less per month on housing, transportation, and food than the typical household, saving more than $5,400 a year.

Florence, Kentucky

Florence may feel like a small town, but it’s a fairly short drive to several major cities, including Cincinnati, Indianapolis, and Columbus. With Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport even closer, it’s easy to hop on a flight and reach most destinations east of the Mississippi in less than a few hours.

While transportation costs in Boone County run high at $1,411 per month, savings in other areas can help balance your retirement budget. Median monthly housing costs are slightly below typical at $1,294, and residents can expect to eat for around $225 less per month than the median American.

Jersey City, New Jersey

Across the Hudson from Manhattan, Jersey City offers fast access to New York City without the same price tag. With one of the most diverse cities in the world just minutes away, you don’t need to board a plane to experience other cultures. But when you want to travel, Newark Liberty International Airport is just six miles from the county center.

The drawback is that Jersey City housing still comes at a significant premium, costing a median of $1,932 per month. Transportation and food costs are lower than in other parts of the country—roughly $960 and $653 per month—but the savings may not fully offset the steep housing prices.

Milwaukee, Wisconsin

Milwaukee is a well-rounded choice for retirees with wanderlust. General Mitchell International Airport is a short drive from downtown and offers direct flights to 36 domestic destinations. Its central Midwest location also makes it easy to reach nearby cities by train. For example, Chicago is only about 90 minutes away via Amtrak.

The low cost of living in Milwaukee County is another significant advantage. Housing, transportation, and food costs are all below average for the U.S. at roughly $1,156, $1,083, and $653 per month, saving the typical household thousands per year when compared to the national average.

Nashville, Tennessee

Music City has long been a magnet for tourists, but it’s also a great place to retire if you want to stay on the move. Nashville is highly walkable, and three major interstate highways—the I-24, I-40, and I-65—converge near its downtown. Nashville International Airport is also within city limits, making it a standout travel hub.

Life in Davidson County isn’t exactly cheap, but it’s more affordable than many other metropolitan areas. Housing and transportation are only a little more expensive than usual at roughly $1,475 and $1,198 per month, while food costs are slightly discounted, sitting at around $717 per month.

Pelham Manor, New York

Just north of the Bronx and a short ride from Manhattan, Pelham Manor is a quiet suburban town with quick access to the heart of New York City. The historic Pelham Train Station is centrally located, and LaGuardia Airport is only about half an hour away, making railroad and air transportation readily accessible.

While housing costs around Pelham Manor are slightly above the national median at $1,467 per month, transportation is exceptionally affordable at $609 per month. That’s close to half the national figure, and combined with relatively low food costs—about $695 per month—the overall cost of living is surprisingly reasonable.

Platte City, Missouri

Platte City is a small town just minutes from Kansas City International Airport. With direct access to major highways, local retirees also have an easy time visiting Missouri’s scenic wine country, state parks, and historically significant locations, such as the nearby Bothwell Lodge State Historic Site.

Housing and transportation are slightly expensive in Platte City—especially the latter, which costs around $1,343 per month—but food expenses are below the national median, sitting at roughly $719 per month.

Portland, Oregon

Portland is a top retirement destination for those who crave exploration but don’t want to sacrifice urban amenities. Portland International Airport is frequently one of the best-rated in the country for traveler satisfaction, and despite being a major metro, the City of Roses is full of opportunities for outdoor adventure.

Note

Portland contains nearly 300 distinct natural spaces—including parks, gardens, and trails—comprising roughly 18,000 acres of greenery.

You’ll need to be comfortable with higher housing costs—roughly $1,735 per month—but you can expect to pay close to the national median for transportation. Meanwhile, food is relatively affordable, costing around $739 per month versus $832 across the U.S.

San Antonio, Texas

San Antonio is affordable, comfortable, and well-connected. In addition to being within road-trip distance of Austin, Houston, and Dallas, it’s home to the San Antonio International Airport, which provides non-stop flights to more than 40 domestic destinations.

Bexar County’s low cost of living can also help you stretch your retirement savings and keep room in the budget for travel. Housing and transportation prices are unremarkable—not too high or too low—but monthly food costs are around $553 per household, nearly $300 under the national median.

Tuckahoe, Virginia

A peaceful retirement destination, Tuckahoe is a scenic suburb just nine miles west of Richmond. However, it still offers plenty of opportunities for adventure, whether you’d rather catch a flight from the Richmond International Airport or visit the many nearby Revolutionary War landmarks.

You can expect to pay more for housing and transportation than you might elsewhere, as the median monthly costs in Henrico County are $1,479 and $1,232. However, you’ll likely spend about $150 less per month on food than the national median.

The Bottom Line

Retirement is a unique opportunity to explore the world on your terms. Choosing a home base with strong travel infrastructure and a manageable cost of living can help you make the most of your freedom. Many of the best cities to consider have an international airport within easy driving distance and relatively low housing, transportation, and food prices.