Retired in America

Your Guide to a Confident Retirement

  • Home
  • Personal finance
  • Retirement Life
  • Saving & Spending

12 Most Affordable U.S. Cities Where You’ll Really Want to Retire

March 10, 2021 · Retirement Life
Modern luxury high-rise apartments in Oakland.
Sleek glass skyscrapers and luxury penthouses highlight the soaring costs that make retiring in Oakland a challenge.

Don’t retire In Oakland, California

Living in the San Francisco Bay Area is not for those with a low budget. You might have dreamt of retiring to Oakland for the access to healthcare and entertainment, but the prices here have gone rampant. Take, for example, the median list price of $650,000. Throw in the six figures average cost of living of senior citizens, and you’ve got the main reasons to stay away from Oakland in your golden years.

A senior woman painting in her cozy home studio.
A smiling retiree paints in her sun-drenched studio, surrounded by lush greenery and warm, natural light.

Instead, opt for Modesto, California

If you want to get more bang for your buck, choose the inland city of Modesto in the detriment of the larger Oakland. This cute city is every nature lover’s dream as it is only a short drive away from both the mountains and the beach.

The median list price in Modesto is around $300,000, less than half of what you’d have to pay in Oakland, while the average cost of living for people aged 65 and older is a bit over $60,000. If you’re a Star Wars fan, you’ll be happy to know that Modesto is George Lucas’ hometown and the place where the movie “American Graffiti” starring Harrison Ford and Ron Howard was filmed.

Pages: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12

Share this article

Facebook Twitter Pinterest LinkedIn Email

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Search

Latest Posts

  • An older man wearing an apron carves a floral design into a linoleum block on a wooden workshop table. 9 Free Classes and Courses Retirees Can Access Locally
  • Senior woman repairing an intricate antique wooden clock with fine tools in a sunlit workshop. 7 Social Security Myths That Refuse to Die
  • A woman sits at a kitchen counter inserting a hardware security key into her laptop for two-factor authentication. 7 Signs Your Social Security Account Needs a Security Check Right Now
  • An older woman on her front porch reads a county property tax statement while holding a pen. 10 Property Tax Relief Programs Seniors Should Apply For
  • Mature man wearing safety glasses and an apron tests a solar power inverter circuit board in an electronics workshop. 8 Paid Training Programs for Low-Income Workers Over 55
  • Man at a wooden table holding a Health Savings debit card beside a tablet displaying an HSA balance and benefits documents. The One Account Where the IRS Lets You Avoid Taxes Three Ways
  • Watercolor illustration of a scenic riverside town commons with a church, library, shops, and gathered residents at sunset. 10 Affordable Retirement Towns With Strong Faith and Community Groups
  • Illustration of a camper driving along a road transitioning from a snowy winter landscape into a sunny coastal village. 10 Retirement Towns Where Snowbirds Settle Each November
  • Two senior neighborhood watch volunteers in a golf cart patrol a residential street past a neighborhood watch sign. 12 Retirement Towns With Strong Neighborhood Watch Programs
  • A smiling older man and woman laughing together over wine and food at an outdoor patio table. 11 Places Retirees Move to Find a Second Chance at Love

Newsletter

Get retirement planning tips, savings strategies, and lifestyle insights delivered to your inbox.

Related Articles

7 Most Important Non-Financial Assets for a Fulfilled Retirement

Education “When it comes to brain power, much like your muscles, the ‘use it or…

Read More →

19 Successful Ways to Save Money for Retirement

Don’t Let Saving Be a Choice If you’re one of the thousands of Americans who…

Read More →
An active senior couple stands on a scenic overlook during a golden sunrise.

10 Best States for Retirees to Settle Down

Discover the 10 best states for retirees based on tax efficiency, healthcare access, and affordability…

Read More →

22 Part-Time Jobs If You’re Retired But Full of Life

Docent  For those who have graduated in Art History, museums would love someone like you…

Read More →
Adirondack chairs on a wooden deck overlooking a misty lake with a dock, canoe, and lakeside cabin at sunrise.

7 Lakefront Towns Where Retirees Get More House for Less

Explore 7 scenic, budget-friendly lakefront towns across America where retirees can buy spacious waterfront homes…

Read More →
A man in a driveway at dusk looking at keys with a massive RV in the background, shot on 35mm film with warm grain.

8 Retirement Purchases That Feel Smart At First But Age Poorly

Discover eight common retirement purchases that drain savings and energy over time, plus practical alternatives…

Read More →

6 Golden Rules to Generate Passive Income from Real Estate Investments

Diversification is just as important as location According to Scott Bennett, a real estate advisor…

Read More →
An older couple stands inside a modern living room looking out a large sliding glass door toward a sunny desert neighborhood.

10 Biggest Reasons So Many Retirees Say They Regret Moving to Arizona

Learn why so many retirees regret moving to Arizona, including brutal summer heat waves, physician…

Read More →

10 Most Tax-Friendly States For Retired Taxpayers

8th Best: Arizona The downside: The high temperatures might not be to everyone’s liking. But…

Read More →
Retired in America

Your Guide to a Confident Retirement

Inedit Agency S.R.L.
Bucharest, Romania

contact@retiredinamerica.com

Trust & Legal

About Us

Editorial Policy

Advertiser Disclosure

Frequently Asked Questions

Contact Us

Disclaimer

Terms and Conditions

Privacy Policy

Subscribe

Unsubscribe

Categories

  • Personal finance
  • Retirement Life
  • Saving & Spending

© 2026 Retired in America. All rights reserved.