Minneapolis
Population: 3.5 million
Share of population 65+: 12.3%
Cost of Living: 4.5% above the national average
Average Income for Households 65+: $53,799
Community Score: 64.2
State’s Tax Rating for Retirees: Least Tax Friendly
If the cold winters and equally harsh tax situation don’t put you off of the North Star State, the Minneapolis metro area—including state capital, St. Paul—can be a great place to retire. In fact, the Milken Institute rates it as the 14th-best large metro area for successful aging, citing its livability including low crime rate and low senior poverty rate; high engagement of its older population; long life expectancy; and many outdoor recreation options (it’s the Land of 10,000 Lakes, after all).
One downside: Though the area’s health-care system is expanding providers—it already has more than 24 facilities per 1,000 seniors—it does not have enough hospital beds, diagnostic centers or magnet hospitals, according to the Milken Institute.
