Despite the American Midwest boasting a rather affordable cost of living compared to the coasts, those on fixed incomes — like retirees — may still find it a bit expensive. In fact, simply owning a car can set a retiree back roughly $4,000 per year on gas, maintenance/repairs, car insurance and auto finance charges.
Unfortunately, a carless retirement can’t happen anywhere — you require a walkable city. To that end, GOBankingRates held a study to find the 50 best places in America to retire without a car by first finding major cities in which at least 20% of the population was of retirement age, then narrowing down those cities that scored highly on the Environmental Protection Agency’s National Walkability Index (a score of 10.51 to 15.25 indicates above-average walkability, and a score of 15.26 to 20 indicates the most walkable cities). Limiting those options to the American Midwest, here are 20 cities for the most optimal carless retirement.
1. Riverview, Michigan
- Livability: 83
- Walkability: 17.2
- Cost of living (annually): $41,630
- Cost of transportation index: 134.3
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2. Beachwood, Ohio
- Livability: 82
- Walkability: 17.3
- Cost of living (annually): $55,405
- Cost of transportation index: 85.9
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3. Solon, Ohio
- Livability: 90
- Walkability: 14.2
- Cost of living (annually): $52,995
- Cost of transportation index: 89.2
4. Grand Haven, Michigan
- Livability: 80
- Walkability: 18.0
- Cost of living (annually): $48,685
- Cost of transportation index: 92.0
5. Trenton, Michigan
- Livability: 86
- Walkability: 15.2
- Cost of living (annually): 129.2
- Cost of transportation index: $41,548
6. Northbrook, Illinois
- Livability: 80
- Walkability: 17.5
- Cost of living (annually): $77,761
- Cost of transportation index: 129.3
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7. Red Wing, Minnesota
- Livability: 79
- Walkability: 17.8
- Cost of living (annually): $41,157
- Cost of transportation index: 71.0
8. Wabash, Indiana
- Livability: 77
- Walkability: 17.8
- Cost of living (annually): $32,746
- Cost of transportation index: 64.6
9. Manitowoc, Wisconsin
- Livability: 80
- Walkability: 16.5
- Cost of living (annually): $36,198
- Cost of transportation index: 65.0
10. Rocky River, Ohio
- Livability: 88
- Walkability: 13.3
- Cost of living (annually): $52,240
- Cost of transportation index: 87.5
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11. Mentor, Ohio
- Livability: 83
- Walkability: 15.2
- Cost of living (annually): $41,838
- Cost of transportation index: 84.9
12. Mason City, Iowa
- Livability: 80
- Walkability: 16.3
- Cost of living (annually): $31,771
- Cost of transportation index: 59.1
13. Xenia, Ohio
- Livability: 76
- Walkability: 17.8
- Cost of living (annually): $39,104
- Cost of transportation index: 81.6
14. Marshfield, Wisconsin
- Livability: 79
- Walkability: 16.5
- Cost of living (annually): $39,413
- Cost of transportation index: 75.8
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15. La Grange Park, Illinois
- Livability: 84
- Walkability: 14.3
- Cost of living (annually): $57,438
- Cost of transportation index: 128.9
16. Bloomington, Minnesota
- Livability: 76
- Walkability: 17.2
- Cost of living (annually): $49,035
- Cost of transportation index: 103.4
17. Grosse Pointe Woods, Michigan
- Livability: 84
- Walkability: 13.8
- Cost of living (annually): $48,674
- Cost of transportation index: 133.2
18. Jenison, Michigan
- Livability: 73
- Walkability: 18.0
- Cost of living (annually): $46,952
- Cost of transportation index: 96.6
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19. Amherst, Ohio
- Livability: 81
- Walkability: 14.8
- Cost of living (annually): $39,641
- Cost of transportation index: 71.9
20. Centerville, Ohio
- Livability: 84
- Walkability: 13.2
- Cost of living (annually): $51,302
- Cost of transportation index: 79.9
Editor’s note: Photos are for representational purposes only and might not reflect the exact locations listed.
Methodology: Using the U.S. Census 2024 1-Year American Community Survey, GOBankingRates sourced total population, population ages 65 and over, total households, median household income, and mean household income were all sourced for this study. To qualify for this study, the city had to have a percentage of the population ages 65 and over of at least 20%. The cost-of-living indexes were sourced from Sperling’s BestPlaces and the average expenditure costs for retired consumer units were sourced from the Bureau of Labor Statistics Consumer Expenditure Survey. Using the transportation cost-of-living index for each city and national average costs for various transportation-related expenses, the average cost of those services was calculated for each city. The average mortgage, calculated using Zillow Home Value Index and Federal Reserve Economic Data, was added to the expenditures. The livability index was sourced from AreaVibes and used to determine the quality of life. The walkability index was sourced from the Environmental Protection Agency’s National Walkability Index and used to determine the ability to live without driving a car. The livability was scored and weighted at 1.00, the walkability was scored and weighted at 1.00. The scores were summed and sorted to show the best places in America to retire without a car. All data was collected on and is up to date as of Oct. 20, 2025.
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This article originally appeared on GOBankingRates.com: 20 Best Midwest Cities in America To Retire Without a Car
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