5 Areas Where Retirees Are Moving for Space, Safety and Lower Taxes
More than 2.1 million Americans ages 65 and up relocated last year, according to HireAHelper's latest annual report. While retirement hotspots like Florida and South Carolina remain popular, today's retirees are increasingly strategic — seeking out suburbs over crowded city centers to find lower taxes, greater safety and more elbow room.
So, where are they actually choosing to retire? We've identified five cities with standout suburbs where you can make your retirement dollars stretch further without compromising on lifestyle or community.
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1. Greenville County, South Carolina
Greenville County is having a moment. Keith Lucas, founder of Retirement Life USA, works with retirees who are moving across the Southeast, and according to him, "in the past few months, Greenville County in South Carolina has become one of the most popular places they choose."
And, as far as he's seen, most retirees are relocating to Travelers Rest, Lyman and Greer. These areas offer a safer bet than downtown Greenville, which gets a C in safety from Niche.
The numbers back up the appeal. Per U.S. Census data, the 65+ population represents 15.1% of Greenville County. Median household income sits at $71,472, while housing costs are reasonable at $2,106 with a mortgage or $642 without. The tax picture is even better. South Carolina doesn't tax Social Security, retirement income caps at 5.21% and property taxes are a low 0.49%.
2. Gainesville, Florida
Florida's no-income-tax advantage still draws retirees, and Gainesville delivers without the Miami-style price tag.
According to Redfin, the most affordable Gainesville suburbs are Starke, High Springs, Newberry and Alachua where the median home price ranges from $149,900 to $357,245.
Notably, Niche gave Gainesville a C rating for safety. But there are certain suburbs, like High Springs, that get better ratings.
With a median household income of $46,195, according to Census data, Gainesville keeps costs lean. Housing runs $1,599 monthly with a mortgage and $615 without. Combined with a 0.78% effective property tax rate and zero income tax on your retirement benefits, retirees find their dollars stretch further there.
3. Greenwich, Connecticut
Greenwich isn't a bargain, but it attracts affluent retirees from nearby New York looking for a less intense lifestyle. According to Census data, just over 21% of the population is 65 or older, and the community reflects that demographic.
Yes, housing costs are steep — $4,000+ monthly with a mortgage, $1,500 without — but the median household income of $134,914 puts things in perspective. Connecticut's property tax of 1.54% and income tax range (2% to 6.99%) are offset by exemptions on Social Security and certain retirement income.
“I have a handful of retiree clients, mostly from New York City, Westchester County or greater Connecticut, and all of them favor Greenwich to enjoy retirement,” said Megan Sullivan of Douglas Elliman.
“Greenwich is an incredible option, especially downtown Greenwich, because it's a more manageable lifestyle … Connecticut also benefits from much lower taxes than our New York neighbors.”
Greenwich ranks high in terms of overall safety with a B rating from Niche. The same goes for nearby areas, like Old Greenwich.
4. Katy, Texas
According to Empower, Katy is one of the best Texas suburbs for retirees to live. Not only does it get a B- in safety from Niche, but the small town is close enough to Houston for retirees to benefit from big-city amenities.
In Katy, 11.1% of the population is 65 or older per data from the Census Bureau. The median household income is $114,912, while median housing costs are $947 without a mortgage. With a mortgage, housing costs increase to $2,953 a month. Another big benefit is that there’s no state individual income tax.
5. Savannah, Georgia
Head outside downtown Savannah to find what retirees actually want: room to breathe and planned communities.
Alex Rodino, a realtor in Savannah and founder of the Alexander Rodino Collective, said the top suburbs for retirees in the area include Richmond Hill, Pooler and Skidaway Island.
Areas like Richmond Hill rank fairly high by Niche in terms of crime and safety (B-). Better yet, costs are lower than in the bigger cities, too.
Since these areas aren’t far from Savannah, retirees also benefit from the city’s amenities without the extra cost. And in Richmond Hill especially, Rodino noted that people get more space and access to planned communities.
In Savannah proper, 14.3% of the population is 65 or older, according to Census data. The median household income isn’t high at $57,137, but overall costs are relatively low. The median housing costs are either $947 (without a mortgage) or $1,592 (with).
Keep in mind, Georgia does have a flat 5.19% individual income tax, but the effective property tax rate is low at 0.79%.
The Bottom Line
The best retirement suburb isn't about where everyone else is moving — it's about matching your priorities. Some retirees prioritize tax savings, others want walkable neighborhoods or planned communities. The suburbs winning retirees right now offer a mix: reasonable costs, tax efficiency and the space to actually enjoy your retirement without the chaos of a major city. Whether you're drawn to the Southeast, Florida's sunshine or Connecticut's established communities, these five suburbs prove that the retirement destination you're looking for probably isn't where you expected.
This article was provided by MoneyLion.com for informational purposes only and should not be construed as financial, legal or tax advice.
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