40 Cities in America To Retire In That Will Be Cheaper by the End of 2026
Saving money in any area of life is difficult right now, but when it comes to retirement planning, the challenges keep stacking up. This is especially true for many retirees planning on relocating to more affordable markets.
While housing costs surged in many parts of the country over the past few years, some retirement-friendly cities are beginning to see prices stabilize or even decline as inventory increases and demand cools. MoneyLion did some research on where retirees can go across the U.S. to find more value for their money by the end of the year.
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Key Findings
Whether your goal is to maximize your Social Security benefits, reduce monthly expenses, enjoy a lower cost of living, or make your retirement savings last longer, these locations could offer the perfect combination of affordability and lifestyle.
Only six cities in this ranking show a median household income over $60,000, but none surpass $69,846, which is the national average salary according to the Social Security Administration.
By October 2026, it’s estimated that eight cities listed here will drop in home value by over $5,000, with the No. 1 ranking of Ukiah, California showing a drop of over $11,000.
The two cities of Ukiah and Eureka, California (ranked first and second) show a difference of over $1,000 in savings for total annual cost of living.
Here are 40 places in America that may be cheaper by the end of 2026 and why they deserve a spot on your retirement radar.
1. Ukiah, California
Population of retirees aged 65 and older: 3,228
Average monthly cost of living: $4,978
Average home value in July 2026: $492,864
Estimated home value for October 2026: $481,036
Difference in mortgage payments from August to October 2026: -$68
2. Eureka, California
Population of retirees aged 65 and older: 4,340
Average monthly cost of living: $4,425
Average home value in July 2026: $423,241
Estimated home value for October 2026: $416,046
Difference in mortgage payments from August to October 2026: -$42
3. Taos, New Mexico
Population of retirees aged 65 and older: 2,019
Average monthly cost of living: $4,440
Average home value in July 2026: $449,294
Estimated home value for October 2026: $443,453
Difference in mortgage payments from August to October 2026: -$34
4. DeRidder, Louisiana
Population of retirees aged 65 and older: 1,711
Average monthly cost of living: $3,193
Average home value in July 2026: $207,363
Estimated home value for October 2026: $201,764
Difference in mortgage payments from August to October 2026: -$32
5. Eagle Pass, Texas
Population of retirees aged 65 and older: 3,466
Average monthly cost of living: $3,286
Average home value in July 2026: $222,347
Estimated home value for October 2026: $217,011
Difference in mortgage payments from August to October 2026: -$31
6. Las Vegas, Nevada
Population of retirees aged 65 and older: 2,660
Average monthly cost of living: $3,196
Average home value in July 2026: $253,891
Estimated home value for October 2026: $248,560
Difference in mortgage payments from August to October 2026: -$31
7. Sulphur Springs, Texas
Population of retirees aged 65 and older: 2,692
Average monthly cost of living: $3,393
Average home value in July 2026: $263,412
Estimated home value for October 2026: $258,144
Difference in mortgage payments from August to October 2026: -$31
8. Raymondville, Texas
Population of retirees aged 65 and older: 1,124
Average monthly cost of living: $2,591
Average home value in July 2026: $136,449
Estimated home value for October 2026: $131,264
Difference in mortgage payments from August to October 2026: -$30
9. Beeville, Texas
Population of retirees aged 65 and older: 1,709
Average monthly cost of living: $2,824
Average home value in July 2026: $164,423
Estimated home value for October 2026: $159,983
Difference in mortgage payments from August to October 2026: -$26
10. Sherman, Texas
Population of retirees aged 65 and older: 7,338
Average monthly cost of living: $3,634
Average home value in July 2026: $288,445
Estimated home value for October 2026: $284,118
Difference in mortgage payments from August to October 2026: -$25
11. Bennettsville, South Carolina
Population of retirees aged 65 and older: 1,410
Average monthly cost of living: $2,291
Average home value in July 2026: $85,333
Estimated home value for October 2026: $81,322
Difference in mortgage payments from August to October 2026: -$23
12. Rio Grande City, Texas
Population of retirees aged 65 and older: 1,552
Average monthly cost of living: $2,607
Average home value in July 2026: $142,420
Estimated home value for October 2026: $138,574
Difference in mortgage payments from August to October 2026: -$22
13. Zapata, Texas
Population of retirees aged 65 and older: 987
Average monthly cost of living: $2,566
Average home value in July 2026: $124,960
Estimated home value for October 2026: $121,211
Difference in mortgage payments from August to October 2026: -$22
14. Silver City, New Mexico
Population of retirees aged 65 and older: 2,473
Average monthly cost of living: $2,827
Average home value in July 2026: $185,723
Estimated home value for October 2026: $182,008
Difference in mortgage payments from August to October 2026: -$22
15. Uvalde, Texas
Population of retirees aged 65 and older: 2,645
Average monthly cost of living: $2,998
Average home value in July 2026: $192,153
Estimated home value for October 2026: $188,502
Difference in mortgage payments from August to October 2026: -$21
16. Alice, Texas
Population of retirees aged 65 and older: 3,158
Average monthly cost of living: $2,631
Average home value in July 2026: $124,091
Estimated home value for October 2026: $120,493
Difference in mortgage payments from August to October 2026: -$21
17. Laurel, Mississippi
Population of retirees aged 65 and older: 2,504
Average monthly cost of living: $2,729
Average home value in July 2026: $153,640
Estimated home value for October 2026: $150,106
Difference in mortgage payments from August to October 2026: -$20
18. Selinsgrove, Pennsylvania
Population of retirees aged 65 and older: 1,017
Average monthly cost of living: $3,383
Average home value in July 2026: $231,851
Estimated home value for October 2026: $228,374
Difference in mortgage payments from August to October 2026: -$20
19. Deming, New Mexico
Population of retirees aged 65 and older: 3,149
Average monthly cost of living: $2,697
Average home value in July 2026: $165,287
Estimated home value for October 2026: $161,982
Difference in mortgage payments from August to October 2026: -$19
20. Paris, Texas
Population of retirees aged 65 and older: 4,691
Average monthly cost of living: $3,093
Average home value in July 2026: $205,933
Estimated home value for October 2026: $202,638
Difference in mortgage payments from August to October 2026: -$19
21. Cleveland, Mississippi
Population of retirees aged 65 and older: 1,801
Average monthly cost of living: $2,473
Average home value in July 2026: $116,788
Estimated home value for October 2026: $113,518
Difference in mortgage payments from August to October 2026: -$19
22. Indianola, Mississippi
Population of retirees aged 65 and older: 1,504
Average monthly cost of living: $2,344
Average home value in July 2026: $93,850
Estimated home value for October 2026: $90,659
Difference in mortgage payments from August to October 2026: -$18
23. Greenwood, Mississippi
Population of retirees aged 65 and older: 2,296
Average monthly cost of living: $2,353
Average home value in July 2026: $96,620
Estimated home value for October 2026: $93,432
Difference in mortgage payments from August to October 2026: -$18
24. Kingsville, Texas
Population of retirees aged 65 and older: 2,626
Average monthly cost of living: $2,713
Average home value in July 2026: $147,266
Estimated home value for October 2026: $144,173
Difference in mortgage payments from August to October 2026: -$18
25. Levelland, Texas
Population of retirees aged 65 and older: 1,747
Average monthly cost of living: $2,820
Average home value in July 2026: $167,842
Estimated home value for October 2026: $164,821
Difference in mortgage payments from August to October 2026: -$17
26. Del Rio, Texas
Population of retirees aged 65 and older: 5,156
Average monthly cost of living: $3,025
Average home value in July 2026: $208,785
Estimated home value for October 2026: $205,862
Difference in mortgage payments from August to October 2026: -$17
27. Mount Pleasant, Texas
Population of retirees aged 65 and older: 1,828
Average monthly cost of living: $3,135
Average home value in July 2026: $223,611
Estimated home value for October 2026: $220,704
Difference in mortgage payments from August to October 2026: -$17
28. Somerset, Kentucky
Population of retirees aged 65 and older: 2,488
Average monthly cost of living: $2,833
Average home value in July 2026: $177,314
Estimated home value for October 2026: $174,477
Difference in mortgage payments from August to October 2026: -$16
29. Hobbs, New Mexico
Population of retirees aged 65 and older: 4,786
Average monthly cost of living: $2,887
Average home value in July 2026: $201,765
Estimated home value for October 2026: $198,940
Difference in mortgage payments from August to October 2026: -$16
30. Grenada, Mississippi
Population of retirees aged 65 and older: 2,176
Average monthly cost of living: $2,531
Average home value in July 2026: $128,931
Estimated home value for October 2026: $126,223
Difference in mortgage payments from August to October 2026: -$16
31. Magnolia, Arkansas
Population of retirees aged 65 and older: 1,762
Average monthly cost of living: $2,504
Average home value in July 2026: $134,710
Estimated home value for October 2026: $132,016
Difference in mortgage payments from August to October 2026: -$16
32. Brookhaven, Mississippi
Population of retirees aged 65 and older: 2,261
Average monthly cost of living: $2,870
Average home value in July 2026: $172,650
Estimated home value for October 2026: $170,060
Difference in mortgage payments from August to October 2026: -$15
33. Murray, Kentucky
Population of retirees aged 65 and older: 2,364
Average monthly cost of living: $2,928
Average home value in July 2026: $180,284
Estimated home value for October 2026: $177,760
Difference in mortgage payments from August to October 2026: -$15
34. Houma, Louisiana
Population of retirees aged 65 and older: 5,202
Average monthly cost of living: $3,115
Average home value in July 2026: $185,878
Estimated home value for October 2026: $183,462
Difference in mortgage payments from August to October 2026: -$14
35. Blytheville, Arkansas
Population of retirees aged 65 and older: 2,302
Average monthly cost of living: $2,381
Average home value in July 2026: $114,810
Estimated home value for October 2026: $112,399
Difference in mortgage payments from August to October 2026: -$14
36. Selma, Alabama
Population of retirees aged 65 and older: 3,193
Average monthly cost of living: $2,425
Average home value in July 2026: $90,225
Estimated home value for October 2026: $87,879
Difference in mortgage payments from August to October 2026: -$14
37. DuBois, Pennsylvania
Population of retirees aged 65 and older: 1,391
Average monthly cost of living: $2,751
Average home value in July 2026: $137,642
Estimated home value for October 2026: $135,302
Difference in mortgage payments from August to October 2026: -$14
38. Malvern, Arkansas
Population of retirees aged 65 and older: 2,034
Average monthly cost of living: $2,702
Average home value in July 2026: $163,976
Estimated home value for October 2026: $161,680
Difference in mortgage payments from August to October 2026: -$13
39. El Dorado, Arkansas
Population of retirees aged 65 and older: 3,131
Average monthly cost of living: $2,476
Average home value in July 2026: $127,311
Estimated home value for October 2026: $125,020
Difference in mortgage payments from August to October 2026: -$13
40. Plainview, Texas
Population of retirees aged 65 and older: 2,963
Average monthly cost of living: $2,538
Average home value in July 2026: $121,316
Estimated home value for October 2026: $119,132
Difference in mortgage payments from August to October 2026: -$13
Methodology: For this study, MoneyLion analyzed metro areas across the U.S. to find the places that will be cheaper in a few months. Using Zillow Home Value Forecast, the estimated percent change in home values was sourced for each housing market. The 50 locations with the largest decrease in average home values were sourced. For each location, several factors were obtained from the 2024 U.S. Census 5-year ACS, including total population, population aged 65 and over, total households, and median household income. The cost-of-living indexes were sourced from Sperling's BestPlaces, and using the national average expenditure costs for all households, the average expenditure costs were calculated for each housing market. The average home value was sourced from the Zillow Home Value Index for July 2026. The average single-family home value for October 2026 was calculated using the Zillow Home Value Forecast and Zillow Home Value Index. Assuming a 10% down payment and using the national average 30-year fixed mortgage rate of 6.67%, as sourced from the Federal Reserve Economic Data on 8/17/26, the average mortgage was calculated for each housing market. The average mortgage for October 2026 was calculated using the same 30-year fixed mortgage rate from the Federal Reserve Economic Data. Using the average mortgage and expenditure costs, the total cost of living was calculated for July and October 2026. Using the 50/30/20 finance rule, which states that needs should not exceed 50% of household income, the cost of living for necessities was doubled to find the comfortable cost of living. The housing markets were sorted to show the largest decrease in comfortable cost of living, representing the places with the largest decrease in cost of living. All data is up to date as of Aug. 17, 2026.
This article was provided by MoneyLion.com for informational purposes only and should not be construed as financial, legal, or tax advice. The research, writing and data analysis were handled by our editorial team. The formatting of the data alone was created with the assistance of artificial intelligence and reviewed by our editorial team for accuracy; however, AI-generated content may be inaccurate, incomplete, or outdated. You should independently verify important information through reliable sources before making any decisions based on this content.