Retirement Hot Spots: Compare the Costs
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Thinking about changing your address during your golden years? A move is a big decision that should be based on many factors, including what the cost of living will be. Bankrate has rounded up key stats on 62 popular retirement spots, we highlight 30 of them here.
Click through our gallery to check out the prospective communities. Compare the price of goods and services there, everything from the cost of a dozen eggs to median home prices.
Next: Albuquerque, N.M. -
Ronald Modra, AP
Albuquerque, N.M.
Population: 504,949
State sales tax: No sales tax, but a 5% "gross receipts tax" that businesses pass along to consumers
State income tax: 1.7 - 5.3%
Cost of Goods & Services
Home price: $323,379
Movie: $9.27
Dentist visit: $67.20
Ibuprofen: $6.44
Dozen eggs: $1.51
Coffee: $3.61
(Data as of Sept. 2007)
· Full Profile on Albuquerque
Next: Asheville, N.C. -
Asheville Convention & Visitors Bureau
Asheville, N.C.
Population: 398,009
State sales tax: 4.25%
State income tax: 6 - 8.25%
Cost of Goods & Services
Home price: $337,633
Movie: $8.49
Dentist visit: $69.66
Ibuprofen: $6.04
Dozen eggs: $1.43
Coffee: $2.91
(Data as of Sept. 2007)
· Full Profile on Asheville
Next: Atlanta, Ga. -
Don Ryan, AP
Atlanta, Ga.
Population: 486,411
State sales tax: 4%
State income tax: 1 - 6%
Cost of Goods & Services
Home price: $288,758
Movie: $8.73
Dentist visit: $81.25
Ibuprofen: $5.89
Dozen eggs: $1.30
Coffee: $3.44
(Data as of Sept. 2007)
· Full Profile on Atlanta
Next: Austin, Texas -
Harry Cabluck, AP
Austin, Texas
Population: 709,893
State sales tax: 6.25%
State income tax: None
Cost of Goods & Services
Home price: $228,613
Movie: $8.25
Dentist visit: $74.11
Ibuprofen: $5.55
Dozen eggs: $1.94
Coffee: $3.22
(Data as of Sept. 2007)
· Full Profile on Austin
Next: Bellingham, Wash. -
Dean Rutz / MCT
Bellingham, Wash.
Population: 71,289
State sales tax: 6.5%
State income tax: None
Cost of Goods & Services
Home price: $426,099
Movie: $7.53
Dentist visit: $86.96
Ibuprofen: $6.21
Dozen eggs: $1.77
Coffee: $4.43
(Data as of Sept. 2007)
· Full Profile on Bellingham
Next: Bend, Ore. -
Don Ryan, AP
Bend, Ore.
Population: 75,290
State sales tax: None
State income tax: 5%, 7% and 9%
Cost of Goods & Services
Home price: $442,674
Movie: $8.57
Dentist visit: $85.19
Ibuprofen: $6.10
Dozen eggs: $1.95
Coffee: $4.44
(Data as of Sept. 2007)
· Full Profile on Bend
Next: Birmingham, Ala. -
Birmingham Convention & Visitors Bureau
Birmingham, Ala.
Population: 242,820
State sales tax: 4%
State income tax: 2-5%
Cost of Goods & Services
Home price: $236,911
Movie: $8.63
Dentist visit: $78.39
Ibuprofen: $5.94
Dozen eggs: $1.29
Coffee: $2.77
(Data as of Sept. 2007)
· Full Profile on Birmingham
Next: Bozeman, Montana -
Erik Petersen, AP
Bozeman, Montana
Population: 27,509
State sales tax: None
State income tax: 1-6.9%
Cost of Goods & Services
Home price: $390,928
Movie: $7.63
Dentist visit: $71.00
Ibuprofen: $7.18
Dozen eggs: $1.34
Coffee: $3.62
(Data as of Sept. 2007)
· Full Profile on Bozeman
Next: Burlington, Vt. -
Alden Pellett, AP
Burlington, Vt.
Population: 206,007
State sales tax: 6%
State income tax: 3.6-9.5%
Cost of Goods & Services
Home price: $395,295
Movie: $7.83
Dentist visit: $69.03
Ibuprofen: $5.85
Dozen eggs: $1.78
Coffee: $3.04
(Data as of Sept. 2007)
· Full Profile on Burlington
Next: Charleston, S.C. -
Charleston Visitors Bureau | AP
Charleston, S.C.
Population: 107,845
State sales tax: 5%
State income tax: 2.5-7%
Cost of Goods & Services
Home price: $272,635
Movie: $7.80
Dentist visit: $92.42
Ibuprofen: $5.84
Dozen eggs: $1.55
Coffee: $2.73
(Data as of Sept. 2007)
· Full Profile on Charleston
Next: Charlottesville, Va. -
Amy Sancetta, AP
Charlottesville, Va.
Population: 398,009
State sales tax: 4.25
State income tax: 6 - 8.25%
Cost of Goods & Services
Home price: $443,485
Movie: $8.71
Dentist visit: $75.62
Ibuprofen: $5.19
Dozen eggs: $1.48
Coffee: $3.32
(Data as of Sept. 2007)
· Full Profile on Charlottesville
Next: Cheyenne, Wyo. -
Frontier Days | AP
Cheyenne, Wyo.
Population: 55,362
State sales tax: 4%
State income tax: None
Cost of Goods & Services
Home price: $331,716
Movie: $7.84
Dentist visit: $62.68
Ibuprofen: $6.35
Dozen eggs: $1.62
Coffee: $4.07
(Data as of Sept. 2007)
· Full Profile on Cheyenne
Next: Chicago, Ill. -
Jeff Roberson, AP
Chicago, Ill.
Population: 3 million
State sales tax: 6.35%
State income tax: 3%
Cost of Goods & Services
Home price: $354,224
Movie: $9.94
Dentist visit: $82.13
Ibuprofen: $5.34
Dozen eggs: $1.56
Coffee: $4.14
(Data as of Sept. 2007)
· Full Profile on Chicago
Next: Colorado Springs -
Colorado Springs, Colo.
Population: 370,000
State sales tax: 2.9%
State income tax: 4.63%
Cost of Goods & Services
Home price: $275,259
Movie: $7.40
Dentist visit: $76.47
Ibuprofen: $6.14
Dozen eggs: $1.27
Coffee: $3.46
(Data as of Sept. 2007)
· Full Profile on Colorado Springs
Next: Columbus, Ohio -
Chris Kasson, AP
Columbus, Ohio
Population: 733,203
State sales tax: 5.5%
State income tax: 0.681 - 6.87%
Cost of Goods & Services
Home price: $303,182
Movie: $7.33
Dentist visit: $85.33
Ibuprofen: $5.28
Dozen eggs: $1.27
Coffee: $3.26
(Data as of Sept. 2007)
· Full Profile on Columbus
Next: Denver, Colo. -
David Zalubowski, AP
Denver, Colo.
Population: 566,974
State sales tax: 2.9%
State income tax: 4.63%
Cost of Goods & Services
Home price: $351,968
Movie: $8.90
Dentist visit: $80.78
Ibuprofen: $5.99
Dozen eggs: $1.31
Coffee: $4.08
(Data as of Sept. 2007)
· Full Profile on Denver
Next: Flagstaff, Ariz. -
Thomas Swick / MCT
Flagstaff, Ariz.
Population: 145,866
State sales tax: 5.85 - 6.73%
State income tax: 2.73 - 4.79%
Cost of Goods & Services
Home price: $505,009
Movie: $8.33
Dentist visit: $80.33
Ibuprofen: $5.97
Dozen eggs: $1.64
Coffee: $3.86
(Data as of Sept. 2007)
· Full Profile on Flagstaff
Next: Hattiesburg, Miss. -
Steve Rouse, AP
Hattiesburg, Miss.
Population: 44,779
State sales tax: 7%
State income tax: 3 - 5%
Cost of Goods & Services
Home price: $257,002
Movie: $6.83
Dentist visit: $61.20
Ibuprofen: $5.42
Dozen eggs: $1.48
Coffee: $2.91
(Data as of Sept. 2007)
· Full Profile on Hattiesburg
Next: Hilton Head Island -
Getty Images | AP
Hilton Head Island, S.C.
Population: 33,862
State sales tax: 5%
State income tax: 2.5 - 7%
Cost of Goods & Services
Home price: $324,078
Movie: $8.03
Dentist visit: $77.59
Ibuprofen: $5.58
Dozen eggs: $1.58
Coffee: $3.75
(Data as of Sept. 2007)
· Full Profile on Hilton Head Island
Next: Honolulu, Hawaii -
Marco Garcia, Getty Images
Honolulu, Hawaii
Population: $377,357
State sales tax: 4%
State income tax: 1.4 - 8.25%
Cost of Goods & Services
Home price: $767,846
Movie: $8.60
Dentist visit: $73.00
Ibuprofen: $6.97
Dozen eggs: $2.80
Coffee: $6.20
(Data as of Sept. 2007)
· Full Profile on Honolulu
Next: Ithaca -
AP
Ithaca, N.Y.
Population: 29,952
State sales tax: 4%
State income tax: 4 - 6.85%
Cost of Goods & Services
Home price: $310,600
Movie: $9.00
Dentist visit: $67.76
Ibuprofen: $5.98
Dozen eggs: $1.43
Coffee: $3.13
(Data as of Sept. 2007)
· Full Profile on Ithaca
Next: Knoxville -
Knoxville, Tenn.
Population: 173,890
State sales tax: 7%
State income tax: None
Cost of Goods & Services
Home price: $235,560
Movie: $8.28
Dentist visit: $60.20
Ibuprofen: $5.06
Dozen eggs: $1.43
Coffee: $2.76
(Data as of Sept. 2007)
· Full Profile on Knoxville
Next: Las Vegas, Nev. -
Business Wire | AP
Las Vegas, Nev.
Population: 478,434
State sales tax: 6.5%
State income tax: None
Cost of Goods & Services
Home price: $433,133
Movie: $9.61
Dentist visit: $77.81
Ibuprofen: $6.04
Dozen eggs: $1.51
Coffee: $3.56
(Data as of Sept. 2007)
· Full Profile on Las Vegas
Next: Olympia, Wash. -
John Froschauer, AP
Olympia, Wash.
Population: 42,514
State sales tax: 6.5%
State income tax: None
Cost of Goods & Services
Home price: $302,433
Movie: $8.84
Dentist visit: $102.80
Ibuprofen: $6.41
Coffee: $4.40
(Data as of Sept. 2007)
· Full Profile on Olympia
Next: Portland, Maine -
Robert F. Bukaty, AP
Portland, Maine
Population: 64,249
State sales tax: 5%
State income tax: 2 - 8.5%
Cost of Goods & Services
Home price: $399,215
Movie: $8.00
Dentist visit: $72.27
Ibuprofen: $5.68
Dozen eggs: $1.96
Coffee: $2.98
(Data as of Sept. 2007)
· Full Profile on Portland
Next: San Antonio, Texas -
Morry Gash, AP
San Antonio, Texas
Population: 1.3 million
State sales tax: 6.25%
State income tax: None
Cost of Goods & Services
Home price: $237,351
Movie: $8.24
Dentist visit: $87.27
Ibuprofen: $5.68
Dozen eggs: $1.44
Coffee: $2.92
(Data as of Sept. 2007)
· Full Profile on San Antonio
Next: San Diego, Calif. -
Eric Noland, AP
San Diego, Calif.
Population: 1.3 million
State sales tax: 6.25%
State income tax: 1 - 9.3%
Cost of Goods & Services
Home price: $711,733
Movie: $9.88
Dentist visit: $94.54
Ibuprofen: $7.07
Dozen eggs: $2.09
Coffee: $4.33
(Data as of Sept. 2007)
· Full Profile on San Diego
Next: San Francisco -
Jeff Chiu, AP
San Francisco, Calif.
Population: 744,041
State sales tax: 6.25%
State income tax: 1 - 9.3%
Cost of Goods & Services
Home price: $866,637
Movie: $10.07
Doctor visit: $119.93
Ibuprofen: $7.19
Dozen eggs: $3.20
Coffee: $4.96
(Data as of Sept. 2007)
· Full Profile on San Francisco
Next: Spokane, Wash. -
Amy Sinisterra, AP
Spokane, Wash.
Population: 198,000
State sales tax: 6.5%
State income tax: None
Cost of Goods & Services
Home price: $264,778
Movie: $9.00
Dentist visit: $82.07
Ibuprofen: $5.92
Dozen eggs: $1.71
Coffee: $3.44
(Data as of Sept. 2007)
· Full Profile on Spokane
Next: Springfield, Mo. -
Brian McTavish / MCT
Springfield, Mo.
Population: 150,797
State sales tax: 4.225%
State income tax: 1.5 - 6%
Cost of Goods & Services
Home price: $224,734
Movie: $8.08
Dentist visit: $65.45
Ibuprofen: $5.45
Dozen eggs: $1.32
Coffee: $3.21
(Data as of Sept. 2007)
· Full Profile on Springfield
· See All 62 Communities
More on AOL: Hot Spots for Less -
MORE ON AOL:
Six Retirement Hot Spots for Less
Sinking housing prices are stressing homeowners. But behind "for sale" signs in some desirable locales lie golden opportunities for retirees who can choose when and where they want to move.
Click through our gallery and see six places that have cooled considerably in recent months and represent some of today's best values in places to retire.
Six Retirement Hot Spots for LessMore Money & Finance:
Search Real Estate Listings in the Hot Spots
Recent Comments
DRSGOD 10:53:09 PM Dec 24 2008
BS-Asheville's population is max 75000....Quite a few androgenous in the mix. Way overrated and expensive for what is there in reality. The artsy and fartsy wannabes congregate downtown.
Bacreeinlv 08:51:57 PM Jul 16 2008
I have a good friend who moved to Panama about 4 years ago and he loves it. He first went to Costa Rica but at my urging checked out Panama. It turns out that the cost of living in Panama is about half of that of CR.
Hghmcfarlane 10:10:32 AM Jul 14 2008
I cant believe this artical wants folks in thier golden years to get into a home with a price at almost a half million or higher when most folks cant sell a home valued in this range for which means blow your savings so you have nothing left and spend every cent of your monthly income trying to keep what you have and have no money for any kind of enjoyment and some of the spots they say to buy in housing prices have been falling to less then half of the value and the folks cant sell them fast enough so the repo list are growing rapidly so to me this is a scam to help the banks get thier money before they become part of the fast growing repo list themselfs
Porterj22 09:58:45 AM Jul 14 2008
I think those are very expensive places to live. I'm looking for a place where I can retire on a small income and some social security; not all of us have elaborate 401K to support us in old age. I found Central America to be the most appealing place I have found and it's free of American politics for the most part. However, large numbers of Americans are relocating to Central America because of the pleasant climate, warm and friendly people and reasonable prices. The Boomers are fed up and leaving the US in droves. We've created a society in which we can no longer afford to live.................
Mcwherter3 09:49:35 AM Jul 14 2008
dont move to fla,its overrated,conjested,obnoxious people,politics newyork style.hot and humid in summer.high taxes,high insurance.if that doesnt deter you then e mail me .i have a comfortable place for you
NIswanton 03:10:57 PM May 31 2008
This has to be the worst collection of prefered retirement locations that I have ever seen. I traveled and searched for several years, prior to moving, and have seen all but 3 of them. I have stayed at several of them. I guess it's a matter of "to each his own".
WELSH BOB 01:04:52 PM May 27 2008
You should look at Johnson County, Iowa. Johnson County, Iowa with its urban-rural mix is a livable community, as defined by AARP, and is a place where you can grow up and grow old. The home of the University of Iowa it has excellent health facilities, educational and leisure opportunities and a growing economy.
Johnson County has a Livable Community for Successful Aging Policy Board, that is committed to making a great place even better.
Gallovf 12:40:57 PM May 27 2008
Granada, Nicaragua of course. Oldest city in the Americas, 2 hours to Miami, inexpensive, beautiful colonial town, have a second home here and downsize where you live now.if Iama
Ccigale1234 11:24:15 AM May 27 2008
From all the comments I have reed today, only one make good sens to me , and that one is the one that says," STAY IN YOUR HOME " and don't forget LIFE appears greene on the other side. BUT AT YOUR AGE, you should know better.
Cpa323 10:57:11 AM May 27 2008
We Boomers need to look into the Continuing Care Retirement Community concept (CCRC); Fully independent houses 3bd/2 car garage living ;aprts later; assisted living as needed, and skilled care to the end included in the price ; Up front investment but often 90% refundable to your estate ;;
Great way to enjoy independence at 62 .or older...... Great method for us Boomers; look at Greystone Management in Dallas for their properties; Redstone Village in Huntsville Alabama is a hidden secret !! I am a resident of a CCRC and it is a great answer to enjoyment and peace of mind for us a very active people !!
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