9. El Paso, Texas

El Paso is one of the most underrated retirement destinations in the entire country. Average 1-bedroom rents run around $900 per month, Texas has no state income tax (including on Social Security), and the city’s dry desert climate is a major draw for retirees seeking sunshine and warmth year-round.

Situated against the Franklin Mountains with the Rio Grande running through its heart, El Paso offers stunning natural scenery, rich cultural heritage, and some of the most affordable large-city living in Texas. The cuisine, music, and art scenes reflect the city’s unique bicultural identity. Fort Bliss anchors the local economy and brings a strong military community, including excellent healthcare through William Beaumont Army Medical Center and University Medical Center of El Paso.

For retirees who want warm weather, a vibrant culture, low taxes, and rents well within Social Security’s reach, El Paso is a genuinely exceptional choice in 2026 — one that deserves far more attention than it gets from retirement-planning publications.