The dream of retirement often looks like freedom from work, time to explore hobbies, visits with family, and perhaps travel without a clock watching over you. But for many retirees, reality quickly collides with the cost of living in certain urban areas where housing, healthcare, transportation, and everyday expenses can eat up income fast.
High costs can turn what should be a peaceful chapter into a financial tug-of-war, where retirees find themselves prioritizing bills over experiences or long-planned adventures. This article explores 10 cities retirees avoid due to high living costs, drawing on recent cost-of-living indices and housing data to explain why these places can be challenging for older adults living on fixed incomes.
New York City, New York
New York City is one of the most expensive urban environments in the United States. According to a cost-of-living composite index, the city’s score sits at 100 on a national benchmark, making its housing, transportation, and groceries considerably higher than average.
Beyond housing, everyday costs for goods and services, even healthcare and transportation, add layers to monthly expenses. As a result, many older adults avoid settling here despite the city’s cultural appeal. For retirees on a fixed income, the daily costs in New York can feel like a relentless tide against their savings.
San Francisco, California
San Francisco is widely regarded as one of the least affordable cities in the country, with housing costs that consistently outpace national averages. Home prices in the region remain well over one million dollars, making it difficult for retirees to maintain comfort without dipping deeply into savings or retirement accounts…