If you want to retire in style, you should make your home in Missouri. This beautiful and safe Midwestern state has stunning scenery and thriving cities, perfect for active adults who want to make the most of their newfound freedom.
Missouri is a fantastic place for retirees. NewHomeSource has named the top 10 cities to retire in Missouri, according to Niche.com.
Top 10 Cities to Retire in Missouri
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Top 10 Cities to Retire in Missouri
1. Jennings
2. Ferguson
3. Carthage
4. Overland
5. St. Ann
6. Sedalia
7. Kennett
8. Mexico
9. Poplar Bluff
10. Neosho
Common Questions About Retiring in Missouri
1. Jennings
Percentage of the Population Over 65: 13.3%
Median Home Value: $64,800
Most Recent Annual Number of Violent Crimes: 263
Most Recent Annual Number of Property Crimes: 696
Number of Hospitals Within 25 Miles of the City: 32
Jennings is an affordable St. Louis suburb where retirees can enjoy the best of an urban retirement, without living in a cramped, noisy apartment. You can invest in a life you love in Jennings, with easy access to fun in the big city, while still getting the benefits of living in a peaceful, serene town.
2. Ferguson
Percentage of the Population Over 65: 11.8%
Median Home Value: $83,500
Most Recent Annual Number of Violent Crimes: 217
Most Recent Annual Number of Property Crimes: 1,001
Number of Hospitals Within 25 Miles of the City: 32
If you like the idea of pastoral living, but still want to enjoy urban amenities, then you’ll love life in Ferguson. Another perk is that this lovely St. Louis suburb is filled with beautiful parks where you can take a leisurely stroll. When you are in the mood for fun eateries or want to listen to some smooth jazz, you won’t be far from the city life.
3. Carthage
Percentage of the Population Over 65: 13.0%
Median Home Value: $88,600
Most Recent Annual Number of Violent Crimes: 38
Most Recent Annual Number of Property Crimes: 505
Number of Hospitals Within 25 Miles of the City: 6
Retirees looking to kick back and relax during their retirement will love life in Carthage. This quaint community in rural Missouri lets you slow down and enjoy a peaceful lifestyle. Carthage’s numerous local parks and historic monuments make it easy to stay active and healthy during your golden years.
4.Overland
Percentage of the Population Over 65: 14.0%
Median Home Value: $89,000
Most Recent Annual Number of Violent Crimes: 41
Most Recent Annual Number of Property Crimes: 517
Number of Hospitals Within 25 Miles of the City: 32
Retiring in Overland means investing in your lifestyle. This affordable St. Louis suburb has a true sense of community, with numerous local parks and history museums, bringing neighbors together for good times and good company. You’ll love life in this peaceful, private town in North St. Louis.
5. St. Ann
Percentage of the Population Over 65: 11.5%
Median Home Value: $89,900
Most Recent Annual Number of Violent Crimes: 36
Most Recent Annual Number of Property Crimes: 273
Number of Hospitals Within 25 Miles of the City: 31
You don’t have to live surrounded by constant noise to enjoy an urban retirement. St. Ann is a lovely town outside St. Louis that gives active adults easy access to urban amenities, without the incessant hustle and bustle of city living. If you like the idea of having a peaceful suburban retreat to call home, St. Ann is the town for you.
6. Sedalia
Percentage of the Population Over 65: 16.3%
Median Home Value: $90,500
Most Recent Annual Number of Violent Crimes: 188
Most Recent Annual Number of Property Crimes: 954
Number of Hospitals Within 25 Miles of the City: 3
Sedalia has something for all types of retirees. This funky town is full of historic architecture and art museums, perfect for anyone who loves exploring urban jungles. Local parks let you reconnect with Mother Nature – and that makes staying active and healthy easy and fun.
7. Kennett
Percentage of the Population Over 65: 18.9%
Median Home Value: $91,600
Most Recent Annual Number of Violent Crimes: 48
Most Recent Annual Number of Property Crimes: 642
Number of Hospitals Within 25 Miles of the City: 3
Kennett is a peaceful community on the shores of the Little River Conservation Area. This close-knit town is perfect for retirees who love the idea of a rural retirement, and want to be close to beautiful landscapes. Kennett has an affordable cost of living, so you can live a life you love at a price point that works for you.
8. Mexico
Percentage of the Population Over 65: 17.8%
Median Home Value: $92,500
Most Recent Annual Number of Violent Crimes: 9
Most Recent Annual Number of Property Crimes: 398
Number of Hospitals Within 25 Miles of the City: 3
Mexico, Missouri is a great place for anyone looking for a small town to call home. This town offers a diverse range of activities for retirees to enjoy in their free time, including a performing arts center and a community theater. It is also surrounded by parks, beaches, and lakes, most notably, the Mark Twain State Park where you can fish or camp.
9. Poplar Bluff
Percentage of the Population Over 65: 16.2%
Median Home Value: $92,400
Most Recent Annual Number of Violent Crimes: 83
Most Recent Annual Number of Property Crimes: 1,148
Number of Hospitals Within 25 Miles of the City: 3
Poplar Bluff is a quiet small town that’s known as “The Gateway to the Ozarks”. This charming city is surrounded by rivers, parks, and plenty of outdoor attractions – including Big Spring, one of Missouri’s first state parks. Poplar Bluff also offers abundant indoor activities like museums, libraries, and theaters. Black River Coliseum provides art classes and educational programs and holds concerts, live shows, and a variety of public events.
10. Neosho
Percentage of the Population Over 65: 14.9%
Median Home Value: $93,300
Most Recent Annual Number of Violent Crimes: 29
Most Recent Annual Number of Property Crimes: 394
Number of Hospitals Within 25 Miles of the City: 6
Lovely Neosho is the perfect town for retirees who want to enjoy the great outdoors during their golden years. Beautiful local parks like Big Spring Park and the Bicentennial Conservation Area will give you year-round opportunities to connect with nature and stay healthy.
Common Questions About Retiring in Missouri
Is Missouri a good state to retire in?
Missouri is the 18th most tax-friendly state for retirees, and is more tax-friendly than comparable Midwestern states like Minnesota or Michigan.
Is Missouri tax-friendly for retirees.
Missouri is pretty tax-friendly for retirees. If you file singly, Social Security income is fully tax exempt for a single filer with up to $85,000, and for couples filing jointly, up to $100,000. Income from public pensions is eligible for heavy deductions.
NewHomeSource pulled data from the FBI Uniform Crime Reporting Services, Medicare’s Hospital Compare and the U.S. Census Bureau. In the event exact crime data was unavailable, estimates were used. Median home price, number of hospitals, 65+ population, and crime rates were entered into an algorithm to calculate a score for each city whose population is at least 10,000.
| City Name | People Over 65 | Violent Crimes | Property Crimes | Access to Doctors | Median Home Value |
| Jennings | 13.3% | 263 | 696 | 32 | $64,800 |
| Ferguson | 11.8% | 217 | 1,001 | 32 | $83,500 |
| Carthage | 13.0% | 38 | 505 | 6 | $88,600 |
| Overland | 14.0% | 41 | 517 | 32 | $89,000 |
| St. Ann | 11.5% | 36 | 273 | 31 | $89,900 |
| Sedalia | 16.3% | 188 | 954 | 3 | $90,500 |
| Kennett | 18.9% | 48 | 642 | 3 | $91,600 |
| Mexico | 17.8% | 9 | 398 | 3 | $92,500 |
| Poplar Bluff | 16.2% | 83 | 1,148 | 3 | $92,400 |
| Neosho | 14.9% | 29 | 394 | 6 | $93,300 |
| Moberly | 14.5% | 83 | 275 | 2 | $94,100 |
| Florissant | 13.7% | 111 | 1,071 | 32 | $97,600 |
| Webb City | 15.0% | 10 | 317 | 6 | $99,600 |
| West Plains | 19.8% | 52 | 709 | 2 | $99,700 |
| Lebanon | 14.7% | 60 | 709 | 1 | $99,800 |
| Hannibal | 16.9% | 101 | 880 | 3 | $105,300 |
| Raytown | 18.3% | 200 | 1,294 | 32 | $105,700 |
| Grandview | 12.5% | 192 | 969 | 30 | $108,600 |
| Marshall | 16.4% | 59 | 263 | 3 | $110,200 |
| Bolivar | 16.6% | 30 | 416 | 1 | $111,600 |
| St. Joseph | 15.5% | 431 | 4,355 | 2 | $114,100 |
Access to Doctors is calculated by finding the number of hospitals, discounting children’s hospitals and VA hospitals within one mile of the city.
Other Missouri Resources
Best Tiny Home Builders in Missouri
Best State Parks in Missouri
How to Build a House in Missouri
Top 5 Places to Live in Missouri
The 10 Most Affordable Cities in Missouri
2021 Guide to Closing Costs in Missouri
20 Most Affordable States
First-Time Homebuyer Programs in Missouri
Best Suburbs of Kansas City, Missouri
Top 10 Safest Cities in Missouri
Jessi Gonzalez
Jessi Gonzalez writes on the topics of home-buying, home decor, and home-ownership for New Home Source. She has a degree from Coastal Bend College and is currently enrolled in the English degree program at Texas A&M Corpus Christi.
