Best Cities for Retirees in Missouri
Missouri ranks #32 of 50 for retirees, with a retirees score of 59.2. Chesterfield is its best city for retirees at 73.2.
- Missouri, all states
- #32 of 50
- Population
- 49,574
Missouri for Retirees: The Full Picture
At #32 out of 50, Missouri isn't a traditional retirement hotspot — but that doesn't tell the whole story. The state has genuine strengths in affordability, and retirees with specific priorities (low cost of living) may find it suits them better than the aggregate ranking suggests.
For retirees, healthcare access and tax friendliness are non-negotiable. Missouri's health score of 44/100 is a concern — at 75.2 years, life expectancy trails the national average, and access to quality care can be uneven. On the tax front, the overall burden stands at 7.83% of income. The 5.7% income tax rate is worth factoring into retirement income projections. Property taxes run 0.91% (effective rate), which is near the national average.
A typical home value of $267,879 is manageable for retirees selling homes in higher-cost markets. Safety is worth researching at the local level — the statewide safety score of 58/100 suggests some areas perform better than others. Livability amenities are more limited compared to top-ranked states, so retirees who value a vibrant social scene should focus their search on the state's larger metro areas.
All 20 Cities Ranked for Retirees
| # City | Grade | Retirees score | Overall | Health | Household finances | Affordability | Population |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1Chesterfield | A+ | 73.2 | 70.5 | 80 | 91 | 61 | 49,574 |
| 2Wildwood | A+ | 70.2 | 67.6 | 76 | 100 | 60 | 35,133 |
| 3Lee's Summit | A | 66.4 | 65.0 | 61 | 74 | 71 | 103,656 |
| 4Oakville | B+ | 64.2 | 61.4 | 66 | 75 | 74 | 35,333 |
| 5O'Fallon | A | 63.7 | 67.0 | 57 | 78 | 69 | 93,801 |
| 6Blue Springs | B+ | 62.6 | 61.0 | 54 | 66 | 76 | 59,965 |
| 7St. Peters | A | 62.4 | 63.9 | 56 | 70 | 73 | 59,092 |
| 8Wentzville | A | 62.2 | 66.0 | 57 | 79 | 70 | 47,061 |
| 9University City | A | 60.7 | 63.2 | 62 | 49 | 72 | 34,685 |
| 10St. Charles | A | 60.5 | 63.0 | 56 | 64 | 73 | 71,508 |
| 11Jefferson City | B | 58.1 | 56.4 | 52 | 47 | 86 | 42,488 |
| 12Florissant | B | 58.0 | 57.2 | 46 | 50 | 79 | 51,773 |
| 13Columbia | B | 55.4 | 57.8 | 61 | 34 | 79 | 128,548 |
| 14Independence | C | 53.6 | 50.8 | 41 | 37 | 81 | 121,740 |
| 15St. Joseph | D | 52.3 | 47.8 | 36 | 33 | 88 | 71,236 |
| 16Kansas City | C | 50.6 | 50.3 | 44 | 43 | 77 | 510,612 |
| 17Joplin | D | 50.2 | 47.5 | 38 | 32 | 87 | 52,593 |
| 18Springfield | D | 47.9 | 46.4 | 44 | 28 | 85 | 169,954 |
| 19Cape Girardeau | C | 46.5 | 49.4 | 47 | 26 | 87 | 40,344 |
| 20St. Louis | D | 43.8 | 45.0 | 44 | 27 | 80 | 288,512 |
City retirees scores use each city's own data, with the category weights rescaled over the categories the city has; outdoor access has no city-level measure and is left out. City scores for retirees also weigh the county's expected yearly building losses from natural hazards (FEMA), lower is better; the share of adults without health insurance (CDC PLACES), a sign of local healthcare access, lower is better; the median age of residents (Census ACS), older is better: more peers and retiree services.
Compare: States with Similar Retirees Rankings
Also See: Missouri for Other Lifestyles
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Missouri a good state for retirees?
Missouri ranks #32 out of 50 for retirees with a persona-weighted score of 59.2/100. Its strongest relevant category is Affordability (80/100) and its weakest is Outdoor Access (15/100).
What is the best city for retirees in Missouri?
Chesterfield ranks #1 in Missouri for retirees with a score of 73.2/100, followed by Wildwood and Lee's Summit.
What factors are most important for retirees in Missouri?
Rankings weighted toward low taxes, quality healthcare, affordable living, safety, community livability, and pleasant environment — the priorities for retirement years.