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RetirementMore’s October 23, 2025 list names Beaufort, South Carolina; Prescott, Arizona; St. Augustine, Florida; Bend, Oregon; Traverse City, Michigan; Lancaster, Pennsylvania; Coeur d’Alene, Idaho; Asheville, North Carolina; Cedar City, Utah; and Stillwater, Oklahoma. The order is the publisher’s editorial ranking—not a result of a disclosed scoring formula or a universal measure of the best places to retire. Treat the towns as a starting shortlist, then compare costs, healthcare and everyday access against your needs.
The 10 towns on RetirementMore’s 2025 list
RetirementMore describes these towns through amenities, local institutions and lifestyle. Its article does not document a comparable data method for the ranking, and its approximate housing and cost claims lack a named source and measurement date. The descriptions below therefore summarize what the article highlights, not independently verified current prices, service quality or safety findings.
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Beaufort, South Carolina
RetirementMore points to a historic, walkable downtown, coastal activities, Beaufort Memorial Hospital and proximity to Charleston-area medical centers. Before considering a move, check present-day housing costs, flood exposure and insurance, and the practical distance to the care you may need.
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Prescott, Arizona
The list emphasizes a four-season climate, outdoor recreation, downtown events and Yavapai Regional Medical Center. Its population and home-value statements do not include a data year or calculation method, so verify current figures independently.
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St. Augustine, Florida
RetirementMore highlights history, beaches, events and healthcare, as well as claimed tax and housing advantages. Tax treatment depends on your circumstances; evaluate current rules alongside insurance costs, hurricane exposure and access to your preferred providers.
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Bend, Oregon
The article pairs outdoor amenities and healthcare with a relatively high home-price estimate, and mentions volunteering or part-time work. It does not substantiate its price or provider-availability claims with dated evidence.
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Traverse City, Michigan
Waterfront recreation, festivals and Munson Medical Center feature in the description. The article’s home-price, crime and cost-of-living statements are not tied to cited sources or dates.
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Lancaster, Pennsylvania
RetirementMore points to arts, local heritage, community programming and Penn Medicine Lancaster. Its home-price, property-tax and healthcare-quality claims are not supported by linked evidence in the article.
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Coeur d’Alene, Idaho
The list highlights the lake, outdoor recreation and Kootenai Health, along with housing and state-tax claims. Verify current costs, tax treatment and access to specialists relevant to your care.
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Asheville, North Carolina
The article describes arts, dining and mountain recreation, and mentions Mission Health. Its approximate home-price level and local service claims need current verification.
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Cedar City, Utah
Southern Utah University, the Shakespeare Festival, nearby national parks and Cedar City Hospital are among the features cited. The article does not independently demonstrate its affordability, tax or healthcare claims.
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Stillwater, Oklahoma
RetirementMore emphasizes Oklahoma State University, volunteering and Stillwater Medical Center, while describing the town as affordable. Its housing, rent, tax, safety and quality claims need dated primary or local evidence before you rely on them.
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What “best small town” means—and what this ranking can tell you
There is no consistent population threshold behind the phrase “small town” in the sources reviewed. RetirementMore does not state one. By contrast, GOBankingRates’ separate 2025 list defined eligible towns as having 1,000–7,500 residents and used a different method; its results do not validate or score the ten places above. Travel + Leisure’s March 2026 feature also selected a different set of towns and says the definition of “small town” varies.
GOBankingRates says its separate analysis used August 2025 Zillow Observed Rental Index data, Bureau of Labor Statistics Consumer Expenditure Survey retiree-household expenses, AreaVibes livability and FBI 2024 crime data, with data current as of October 15, 2025. It weighted expenditure and rent at 1.25 each, and livability, property crime and violent crime at 1.00 each. Those weights describe that publication’s method only; they are not the method behind RetirementMore’s list.
Read the ordering as an editorial set of possibilities, not proof that one town is objectively superior or affordable for every retiree. RetirementMore’s list offers no sourced, comparable figures for costs or outcomes across all ten towns.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.How to compare towns for your retirement
Build a comparison around the expenses and services that matter to your own household. A town’s appealing amenities may not offset a difficult specialist commute, costly insurance or limited transport if those affect your daily life.
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Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →- Housing and total costs: Compare actual homes or rentals that fit your needs, then account for taxes, insurance, utilities, transport and routine expenses—not just a headline home-price estimate.
- Healthcare access: Check whether local hospitals and clinics offer the services you need, whether your clinicians accept your coverage, and how far you would travel for specialists or urgent care.
- Climate and hazards: Consider seasonal conditions and local weather risks. For coastal or storm-prone areas, assess property-level exposure and insurance availability rather than relying on a town-wide description.
- Transportation and access: Look at driving needs, public transportation where available, airport access and the distance to family or larger service centers.
- Safety and daily life: Seek recent, clearly defined local information and consider whether the town’s pace, amenities, community activities and services suit your preferences.
- Taxes: Check current state and local rules against your income sources and circumstances. A broad claim that a state is tax-friendly cannot establish your personal tax outcome.
Visit before making a decision
Spend time in a prospective town in more than one season. Use visits to test ordinary routines—not only the attractions—including grocery trips, getting to appointments, transportation, weather and the availability of activities you expect to use. Confirm current housing, tax, insurance, transport and medical details directly with relevant local or official sources before committing. A personal checklist makes it easier to compare towns on the same terms instead of letting a ranking decide for you.
Quick Recap
Sources and scope
- RetirementMore: “10 Best Small Towns for Retirees in 2025”, published October 23, 2025. The list and its descriptions are the basis for the ten entries above.
- GOBankingRates: “50 Best Small Towns for Your Retirement in 2025”, published October 29, 2025. Its population threshold, data inputs and weights apply to its own separate ranking.
- Travel + Leisure: “10 Best Small Towns in the U.S. for Retirees Seeking Charm, Community, and Comfort”, published March 10, 2026. It is a separate feature with different places and selection factors.
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