11. Des Moines, Iowa
| Avg. 1BR Rent ~$981/mo |
SS Covers Rent? ✅ Yes |
SS Tax? No SS Tax |
State Iowa |
Des Moines has quietly become one of the Midwest’s most desirable retirement cities — affordable, walkable, and genuinely livable. Average 1-bedroom rents sit around $981 per month, Iowa does not tax Social Security income, and the city’s infrastructure — healthcare, parks, dining, and arts — rivals cities twice its size.
The Ewing and Murle Kauffman Foundation’s investment in the local arts has transformed the city’s cultural scene, and the Greater Des Moines Botanical Garden is a genuine gem for nature-loving retirees. Downtown’s Principal Riverwalk offers free outdoor entertainment all summer. Iowa Methodist Medical Center and Mercy Medical Center Des Moines both provide excellent senior healthcare close to most residential neighborhoods.
For retirees who want a full-service city experience without full-service prices, Des Moines is a top pick in 2026. The city’s consistent safety, well-maintained neighborhoods, and welcoming community culture make it especially attractive for retirees relocating from larger, more expensive metro areas in search of a better quality of life.
We live in Las Vegas and need a place that includes utilities and cable. Me and my husband make $38,000 a year and now pay $1000 a month just making it. We need to be out of here by January 2027.
I don’t believe you’ll find any place that pays for cable. Some places pay for water but not gas and electric.
Is Mazatlan Mexico a good option???
I’m in Lakeport Ca I can’t recommend it if you rent good luck finding a good honest landlord. Gas is expensive 5.79 a gallon. Not much to do and some people are strange just like most places I guess. I’m trying to get out asap but where? Please advise 🙏.
I can’t even read the article! All I see are a bunch of ads and links that go to more ads. I see Toledo and that’s it. So where’s the other 24?!