10 Best Cities for Liberals to Retire In 2024
- Carlsbad, CA
- Denver, CO
- Asheville, NC
- Augusta, GA
- Des Moines
- Albuquerque, NM
- Pittsburgh, PA
- Charleston, SC
- Green Bay, WI
- Portland, ME
Carlsbad, CA
Carlsbad, CA, is a great place for liberals to retire, with sandy beaches and amazing weather year-round. It’s a city outside of San Diego with a population of about 115,000 residents. Being in Southern California, the majority of Carlsbad residents tend to be liberal, and there are 8.6% more registered Democrats than Republicans in San Diego County. With natural beauty, outdoor amenities, and excellent access to healthcare, Carlsbad often tops the list of best places to retire in the US. The cost of living is higher than the national average, but it’s a beautiful coastal paradise for liberal retirees with a higher budget.
Denver, CO
Denver, Colorado, is also one of the best cities for liberals to retire. It offers a healthy lifestyle, gorgeous scenery, and great healthcare, which makes it appealing to many retirees. Although Colorado has its conservative areas, Denver is a liberal enclave, and 79.6% of residents voted Democrat in the last presidential election. Although the cost of living is higher than the national average, Colorado has relatively low taxes, including a flat tax on social security income.
Asheville, NC
Asheville, North Carolina, is another one of the best cities for liberals to retire, with scenic mountain views, historic architecture, and a low cost of living. It’s a medium-sized mountain town in Buncombe County with a population of just under 100,000 residents, and the cost of living is right on par with the national average. Despite being in a red state, Asheville is known for its community of artists who tend to be more liberal, and 59.7% of Buncombe County residents voted Democrat in the last election.
Augusta, GA
Augusta, Georgia, is also a good place for liberals to retire, with great weather and access to affordable housing and healthcare. Augusta is a city of about 200,000 residents in southern Georgia. It often tops the list of best places to retire in the state with a cost of living that is 15% lower than the national average and no state income tax on social security. Despite being in the deep south, Augusta is very liberal, and 67.9% of residents voted Democrat in the last presidential election.
Des Moines, IA
Des Moines is another fantastic place for liberals to retire. A study by Consumer Affairs ranked Des Moines the fourth best city in the US for retirees based on affordability, quality of life, climate, and access to green space. The Des Moines population is 212,031, and 13% of residents are 65 or older. It also features top healthcare facilities, outdoor recreation, and a cost of living that is 7% lower than the national average. Although the political leanings are mixed, the city is relatively liberal, and 56.5% of residents voted Democrat in the last election.
Albuquerque, NM
Albuquerque is also an excellent place for liberals to retire, with a central location and affordable home prices. Albuquerque has a population of over 560,000 residents, making it the largest city in New Mexico. The temperature tends to be milder than in neighboring states like Texas and Arizona, and it experiences over 300 days of sunshine per year. Although it has relatively high taxes, the median home price is only $320,00. It’s also a very liberal city, and 61% of residents voted Democrat in the last election.
Pittsburgh, PA
Pittsburg is another one of the top retirement destinations for liberals, with gorgeous mountain views and easy access to amenities. Pittsburg has a population of just over 300,000, and 16% of residents are 65 and older. Forbes ranked Pittsburg as one of the top places in the country to retire due to its many doctors, lack of state income tax on social security, and a median home price that is 42% lower than the rest of the country. Although Pennsylvania is a swing state, 59.4% of Pittsburg residents voted Democrat in the last election.
Charleston, SC
Charleston, South Carolina, is also among the best places in the US for liberals to retire. It ranks highly in all categories that are important to aging residents, including affordability, amenities, health care, and quality of life. It has a population of 151,612 and a cost of living that is 2% lower than the national average. It’s also home to gorgeous beaches, historic architecture, and a bustling downtown full of shops and antique stores. Although South Carolina is conservative, Charleston tends to be more liberal, and 55.5% of residents voted Democrat in the last election.
Green Bay, WI
Green Bay is another one of the best cities for liberals to retire. It has a population of just over 100,00 residents, and 15% of residents are 65 and up. It consistently ranks among the best places in the country for quality of life, which includes factors such as crime rates, walkability, air quality, and general happiness of residents. Green Bay is also very affordable, and the cost of living is 10% lower than the national average, with a median home price of $235,000. The city is fairly evenly split between Republicans and Democrats, although it has a Democrat mayor, and the state of Wisconsin tends to lean liberal.
Portland, ME
Portland, Maine, is also among the best places for liberals to retire. One of the smaller cities on this list, Portland, has a population of about 68,000 residents. However, it’s a popular destination for retirees with excellent healthcare options, historic architecture, and close proximity to the ocean. With a median home price of $515,000, the cost of living is reasonable for its high quality of life. It also features gorgeous coastal views, entertainment options, and a large population of liberals, with 66.5% of residents voting Democrat in the last election.