Lifestyle
Missouri has plenty to offer retirees, including beautiful mountains and lakes, thriving communities, and a relatively low cost of living. But Missouri is made up of a combination of small, rural towns and large metropolitan areas, as well as a variety of cities in between. Choosing the right area for your retirement can make all the difference, and this guide can help.
C.E Larusso
Published January 1st, 2024
Updated April 12th, 2024
C.E Larusso
•
Published January 1st, 2024
•
Updated April 12th, 2024
Table of Contents
Key Takeaways
Overall, Missouri has a lower cost of living than other states, making it easy to find an affordable lifestyle.
The state offers partial tax breaks on Social Security and pensions, which is better than some states but not as good as others.
The state is packed with diverse living options, including large cities, small towns, and suburban communities.
Missouri has plenty to offer retirees, including beautiful mountains and lakes, thriving communities, and a relatively low cost of living. Seniors do get a modest tax break on Social Security and pensions, but you’ll still pay some taxes. Still, while other states offer better tax benefits, the lower cost of living can make up for that.
Is Missouri a good place to retire? Overall, there are plenty of reasons to consider the state. But Missouri is made up of a combination of small, rural towns and large metropolitan areas, as well as a variety of cities in between. Choosing the right area for your retirement can make all the difference, and this guide can help.
Lee’s Summit
CITY POPULATION: 99,357
SHARE OF POPULATION 65+: 15.3%
COST OF LIVING FOR RETIREES: Even with the national average
PER CAPITA INCOME FOR POPULATION: $42,542
TAX RATING FOR RETIREES: Moderately Tax Friendly
If you’re looking for a 55-plus neighborhood, Lee’s Summit has the best retirement communities Missouri offers. This suburb of Kansas City has plenty to offer on its own, including great healthcare at Lee’s Summit Medical Center and recreational activities at Longview Lake.
Jefferson City
CITY POPULATION: 42,708
SHARE OF POPULATION 65+: 16%
COST OF LIVING FOR RETIREES: 9% below the national average
PER CAPITA INCOME FOR POPULATION: $28,073
TAX RATING FOR RETIREES: Moderately Tax Friendly
Those looking for waterfront retirement should consider the state capital, Jefferson City, which is one of the best lake towns in Missouri. The downtown area gives this city a small-town charm while also offering you access to all the amenities of a larger city.
St. Louis
CITY POPULATION: 300,576
SHARE OF POPULATION 65+: 13.1%
COST OF LIVING FOR RETIREES: 6% below the national average
PER CAPITA INCOME FOR POPULATION: $30,542
TAX RATING FOR RETIREES: Moderately Tax Friendly
If suburban life is your preference, St. Louis could be the best city to retire in Missouri. There are numerous suburbs on the outskirts of the city for retirement, including Warson Woods and Clayton.
Jennings
CITY POPULATION: 14,575
SHARE OF POPULATION 65+: 13.3%
COST OF LIVING FOR RETIREES: 6% below the national average
PER CAPITA INCOME FOR POPULATION: $19,565
TAX RATING FOR RETIREES: Moderately Tax Friendly
One suburb of St. Louis has a large enough population to merit a separate mention. Jennings gives you access to dining, entertainment, outdoor areas, and multiple medical centers.
Carthage
CITY POPULATION: 14,746
SHARE OF POPULATION 65+: 13%
COST OF LIVING FOR RETIREES: 14% below the national average
PER CAPITA INCOME FOR POPULATION: $20,713
TAX RATING FOR RETIREES: Moderately Tax Friendly
With a low cost of living and multiple annual festivals, Carthage can be a charming small-town option for retirement living. The town is also steeped in history, giving you plenty of interesting architecture to enjoy
Sedalia
CITY POPULATION: 21,629
SHARE OF POPULATION 65+: 16.3%
COST OF LIVING FOR RETIREES: 15% below the national average
PER CAPITA INCOME FOR POPULATION: $22,557
TAX RATING FOR RETIREES: Moderately Tax Friendly
Known as home to the Missouri State Fair and the Scott Joplin Ragtime Festival, Sedalia is a great small-town option for retirement. There are also museums, parades, and even a farmer’s market.
Blue Springs
CITY POPULATION: 55,829
SHARE OF POPULATION 65+: 13.4%
COST OF LIVING FOR RETIREES: 6% below the national average
PER CAPITA INCOME FOR POPULATION: $32,954
TAX RATING FOR RETIREES: Moderately Tax Friendly
Blue Springs was rated one of the best places to retire in Missouri 2019 in several surveys, putting it on the radar of many retirees. If you’re into fishing or kayaking, you’ll love the easy access the town offers to Lake Remembrance.
Town and Country
CITY POPULATION: 11,109
SHARE OF POPULATION 65+: 29.5%
COST OF LIVING FOR RETIREES: 35% above the national average
PER CAPITA INCOME FOR POPULATION: $98,343
TAX RATING FOR RETIREES: Moderately Tax Friendly
This city with an interesting name gets points for its affordability. Life in this town gives you easy access to nearby St. Louis but you’ll still have all the benefits of rural life. The robust 65+ population will give you a wide range of activities and entertainment opportunities to choose from.
Creve Coeur
CITY POPULATION: 18,622
SHARE OF POPULATION 65+: 26.1%
COST OF LIVING FOR RETIREES: 6% below the national average
PER CAPITA INCOME FOR POPULATION: $76,566
TAX RATING FOR RETIREES: Moderately Tax Friendly
If you’re looking for a town with plenty of dining and shopping, look no further than Creve Coeur. This St. Louis area town is home to Mercy Hospital St. Louis and several other top-quality medical facilities, as well as all the dining and shops you’d expect from a suburban area.
Chesterfield
CITY POPULATION: 47,538
SHARE OF POPULATION 65+: 24.2%
COST OF LIVING FOR RETIREES: 12% above the national average
PER CAPITA INCOME FOR POPULATION: $62,430
TAX RATING FOR RETIREES: Moderately Tax Friendly
Another Missouri town with a substantial 65+ population is Chesterfield. If you like shopping, you’ll love the local Chesterfield Mall, which has shops, a pickleball court, and a 14-screen AMC movie theater.
Final Thoughts
The best places to retire in Missouri have a low cost of living and access to all the amenities you enjoy. Although Missouri is popular with retirees, it’s not for everyone. Retirable can help you come up with a plan to fit the type of retirement lifestyle you want most. We’ll ensure you’re not only well prepared, but that you also have the information you need to set a budget and stick to it after you’ve retired.
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A professional content writer, C.E. Larusso has written about all things home, finance, family, and wellness for a variety of publications, including Angi, HomeLight, Noodle, and Mimi. She is based in Los Angeles.
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Northeastern U.S. Best Places To Retire
Southern U.S. Best Places To Retire
Midwestern U.S. Best Places To Retire
Western U.S. Best Cities To Retire
Share this advice
A professional content writer, C.E. Larusso has written about all things home, finance, family, and wellness for a variety of publications, including Angi, HomeLight, Noodle, and Mimi. She is based in Los Angeles.
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