This Midwestern City Was Just Ranked One of the Best Places to Retire in the U.S.-and It's Also the Happiest City in America

"Planning for retirement often involves finding a place that is affordable, culturally engaging, safe, and has good healthcare. While Florida remains a retirement haven, many seniors are now considering spending their golden years in the Midwest, where certain communities offer a lower cost of living. A recent WalletHub survey recommends Minneapolis as a top destination for retirees looking to relocate to the Midwest. The report, which compared 182 different cities, took into account four key categories: affordability, activities, quality of life, and health care."

"Minneapolis, which came in third place (bypassed only by Orlando, Florida, and Scottsdale, Arizona in the first and second spots, respectively), had an overall score of 59.01. The city has one of the highest rates of elderly-friendly jobs, which means there are labor opportunities available for older residents who wish to work to supplement their fixed income. Over 20 percent of the workers in Minneapolis are aged 65 or older, according to WalletHub."

"Minneapolis has a large number of senior centers and recreation centers, ranking eighth in the nation for the availability of those resources. The city also boasts a robust health care system with a high number of gerontologists and nursing homes. The city's hospital system also ranked eighth overall, and Minneapolis was 34th in retiree-friendliness. What's more, The Institute for Quality of Life named Minneapolis the happiest place in the U.S. in 2024."

WalletHub compared 182 cities using four categories—affordability, activities, quality of life, and health care—and rated 45 metrics on a 100-point scale. Minneapolis ranked third overall with a score of 59.01, behind Orlando and Scottsdale. Over 20 percent of Minneapolis workers are aged 65 or older, and the city ranks highly for elderly-friendly jobs. Affordability ranked 96th, with Minnesota taxing Social Security and certain retirement incomes. Minneapolis ranks eighth nationally for senior and recreation centers, and its hospital system ranked eighth with many gerontologists and nursing homes. The city earned recognition for happiness and livability and offers extensive parks and outdoor amenities.

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