A successful retirement is predicated on a number of things: solid savings and retirement accounts, good physical health and — most especially — an affordable city or town where the cost of living won’t drain your finances. Even the American Midwest, where cost of living is comparatively low, has a number of pricey cities that could derail a retirement on a fixed income. That’s why finding an affordable locale for your golden years is so important.
That’s also why GOBankingRates recently culled the 25 best Midwest cities for retirement in 2026 from a U.S. News & World Report overall list of 250. From that list, GOBankingRates also discerned where each city ranked compared to all other American cities, as well as their median monthly rent. Additionally, GOBankingRates sourced each city’s cost-of-living index score from Best Places. The average American cost of living index score is 100; any city beneath 100 has a lower-than-average cost of living, and any city above 100 has a more expensive cost of living than the national average.
With this information in hand, finding the best Midwestern city for you should be as pleasant as the retirement that you deserve.
1. Midland, Michigan
- U.S. rank: 32
- Cost-of-living index: 85.7
- Median monthly rent: $790
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2. Bismarck, North Dakota
- U.S. rank: 48
- Cost-of-living index: 95.2
- Median monthly rent: $873
See More: How Far $1.5 Million in Retirement Savings Plus Social Security Goes in Every State
Also Read: How Far $750K Plus Social Security Goes in Retirement in Every US Region
3. Rochester Hills, Michigan
- U.S. rank: 9
- Cost-of-living index: 104.9
- Median monthly rent: $1,293
4. Troy, Michigan
- U.S. rank: 10
- Cost-of-living index: 104.9
- Median monthly rent: $1,292
5. Sioux Falls, South Dakota
- U.S. rank: 39
- Cost-of-living index: 90.7
- Median monthly rent: $879
6. Fishers, Indiana
- U.S. rank: 4
- Cost-of-living index: 106
- Median monthly rent: $1,404
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7. Greenwood, Indiana
- U.S. rank: 91
- Cost-of-living index: 92.1
- Median monthly rent: $1,066
8. Noblesville, Indiana
- U.S. rank: 50
- Cost-of-living index: 106
- Median monthly rent: $1,249
9. Farmington Hills, Michigan
- U.S. rank: 57
- Cost-of-living index: 104.9
- Median monthly rent: $1,261
10. Carmel, Indiana
- U.S. rank: 2
- Cost-of-living index: 106
- Median monthly rent: $1,455
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11. West Des Moines, Iowa
- U.S. rank: 31
- Cost-of-living index: 86.6
- Median monthly rent: $1,105
12. Columbus, Indiana
- U.S. rank: 92
- Cost-of-living index: 83.1
- Median monthly rent: $955
13. Wyoming, Michigan
- U.S. rank: 197
- Cost-of-living index: 94.5
- Median monthly rent: $1,096
14. Ankeny, Iowa
- U.S. rank: 18
- Cost-of-living index: 86.6
- Median monthly rent: $1,089
Discover More: The 7 Best Retirement Towns You’ve Never Heard Of (But Should Consider in 2025)
15. Livonia, Michigan
- U.S. rank: 88
- Cost-of-living index: 91.8
- Median monthly rent: $1,020
16. O’Fallon, Missouri
- U.S. rank: 29
- Cost-of-living index: 97.5
- Median monthly rent: $1,290
17. St. Charles, Missouri
- U.S. rank: 36
- Cost-of-living index: 97.5
- Median monthly rent: $1,207
18. Moore, Oklahoma
- U.S. rank: 42
- Cost-of-living index: 88.4
- Median monthly rent: $1,054
Find More: 50 Cheapest Places To Retire Across America
19. Eau Claire, Wisconsin
- U.S. rank: 49
- Cost-of-living index: 90.6
- Median monthly rent: $870
20. St. Peters, Missouri
- U.S. rank: 35
- Cost-of-living index: 97.5
- Median monthly rent: $1,253
21. Rapid City, South Dakota
- U.S. rank: 252
- Cost-of-living index: 97.8
- Median monthly rent: $987
22. Meridian, Idaho
- U.S. rank: 132
- Cost-of-living index: 119.6
- Median monthly rent: $1,610
Also Read: I Asked ChatGPT When I Could Retire — I Couldn’t Believe the Answer
23. Idaho Falls, Idaho
- U.S. rank: 43
- Cost-of-living index: 94.3
- Median monthly rent: $1,027
24. Niles, Michigan
- U.S. rank: 672
- Cost-of-living index: 88.1
- Median monthly rent: $751
25. Bay City, Michigan
- U.S. rank: 280
- Cost-of-living index: 81.8
- Median monthly rent: $638
Editor’s note: Photos are for representational purposes only and might not reflect the exact locations listed.
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This article originally appeared on GOBankingRates.com: 25 Best Midwest Cities To Retire in 2026
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