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Home » 55+ » The 10 Best Places To Retire in Wisconsin

The 10 Best Places To Retire in Wisconsin

Wisconsin welcome sign

Wisconsin has more to offer retirees than good cheese and Green Bay Packers games, although who wouldn’t like that? This beautiful state makes it easy to reconnect with nature during your retirement, thanks to its beautiful lakes and forest and the presence of all four seasons. More urban retirees will love Milwaukee and Madison’s exciting cultures.

NewHomeSource has rounded up the top 10 cities for retirees in Wisconsin. Explore these amazing communities in Wisconsin to find the perfect place for your ideal retirement lifestyle.

Top 10 Cities to Retire in Wisconsin

Skip Ahead
Top 10 Cities to Retire in Wisconsin
1. Marinette
2. Merrill
3. Beloit
4. Wisconsin Rapids
5. Two Rivers
6. Manitowoc
7. Racine
8. Sheboygan
9. Wausau
10. Superior
Common Questions About Retiring in Wisconsin

1. Marinette

A bridge over a scenic river in Marinette, Wisconsin

Percentage of the Population Over 65: 19%

Median Home Value: $83,000

Most Recent Annual Number of Violent Crimes: 9

Most Recent Annual Number of Property Crimes: 182

Number of Hospitals Within One Mile of the City: 1

Who says lakefront living has to be expensive? Marinette is an unbelievably affordable town on the shores of Green Bay that makes it easy for active adults to live a life they love, at a price they can afford. When you retire to Mariette, you can spend your days on the beach or exploring the many parks that surround the community.

2. Merrill

Flowering fruit tree in Merrill, Wisconsin

Percentage of the Population Over 65: 19.9%

Median Home Value: $84,900

Most Recent Annual Number of Violent Crimes: 19

Most Recent Annual Number of Property Crimes: 139

Number of Hospitals Within One Mile of the City: 1

Merrill is a peaceful community in Central Wisconsin, sitting on the banks of the Wisconsin River. Retirees looking to kick back and relax during their golden years will love Merrill’s serene scenery and incredibly low cost of living.  

3. Beloit

Rustic building with tulips in Beloit, Wisconsin

Percentage of the Population Over 65: 13.1%

Median Home Value: $87,400

Most Recent Annual Number of Violent Crimes: 171

Most Recent Annual Number of Property Crimes: 979

Number of Hospitals Within One Mile of the City: 6

Beloit is a thriving community in Southern Wisconsin that has a fun culture. If you want to spend your retirement exploring exciting art museums, while being surrounded by amazing scenery, you can’t go wrong heading to Beloit for your retirement.

4. Wisconsin Rapids

Scenic view of a river in Wisconsin Rapids

Percentage of the Population Over 65: 20.6%

Median Home Value: $89,100

Most Recent Annual Number of Violent Crimes: 27

Most Recent Annual Number of Property Crimes: 599

Number of Hospitals Within One Mile of the City: 2

Wisconsin Rapids is a charming Northern Wisconsin city that lets retirees enjoy a fantastic life at a great price. Wisconsin Rapids serves up plenty of bucolic vistas, and has many lake and riverfront parks for you to explore. Places like the Wisconsin Rapids Municipal Zoo and the South Wood County Historical Museum ensure that you always have something new to try.

5. Two Rivers

Kites flown at Two Rivers, Wisconsin

Percentage of the Population Over 65: 21.2%

Median Home Value: $93,100

Most Recent Annual Number of Violent Crimes: 36

Most Recent Annual Number of Property Crimes: 136

Number of Hospitals Within One Mile of the City: 2

Two Rivers, WI is an affordable lakefront community that gives retirees easy access to all the fun you can have on Lake Michigan. Active adults will love the numerous options available in Two Rivers for hiking, skiing, and boating. 

6. Manitowoc

Lighthouse in Manitowoc, Wisconsin

Percentage of the Population Over 65: 20.6%

Median Home Value: $104,500

Most Recent Annual Number of Violent Crimes: 71

Most Recent Annual Number of Property Crimes: 661

Number of Hospitals Within One Mile of the City: 2

Do you want to spend your retirement on a beautiful lake, surrounded by exciting things to do? If the answer is yes, then Manitowoc, WI is the perfect town for your retirement destination. This beautiful town on Lake Michigan has an affordable cost  of living, so you can invest in your quality of life without breaking the bank. 

7. Racine

Marina in Racine, Wisconsin

Percentage of the Population Over 65: 12%

Median Home Value: $105,300

Most Recent Annual Number of Violent Crimes: 435

Most Recent Annual Number of Property Crimes: 1,662

Number of Hospitals Within One Mile of the City: 6

Racine is a charming lakeside town that truly has something for everyone. When you retire to Racine, you get beautiful beaches, exciting museums, and even a zoo! Couch potatoes might feel overwhelmed with life in Racine, but active adults can live a life they love in this fantastic community. 

8. Sheboygan

Lighthouse in Sheboygan, Wisconsin

Percentage of the Population Over 65: 16%

Median Home Value: $109,700

Most Recent Annual Number of Violent Crimes: 183

Most Recent Annual Number of Property Crimes: 826

Number of Hospitals Within One Mile of the City: 2

Sheboygan is a funky community on the shores of Lake Michigan that gives retirees an unbeatable quality of life at an affordable price point. On days when you don’t feel like spending time on the lake, you can expand your horizons by exploring Sheboygan’s numerous art museums and historical sites.

9. Wausau

Percentage of the Population Over 65: 17.9%

Median Home Value: $118,300

Most Recent Annual Number of Violent Crimes: 119

Most Recent Annual Number of Property Crimes: 626

Number of Hospitals Within One Mile of the City: 2

Beautiful parks fill the city of Wausau, WI, making it the perfect retirement destination for the outdoorsy. If you want to spend your golden years staying active and healthy, you’ll never run out of new places to explore. Wausau has a low cost of living, making it an even better destination for retirees on a fixed budget. 

10. Superior

wisconsin

Percentage of the Population Over 65: 15.8%

Median Home Value: $120,100

Most Recent Annual Number of Violent Crimes: 76

Most Recent Annual Number of Property Crimes: 1,130

Number of Hospitals Within One Mile of the City: 3

Enjoy lakefront living at its finest when you retire to Superior, WI. This beautiful community on the shores of the Great Lakes is perfect for active adults who don’t want to slow down during their retirement. Enjoy amazing hiking in warmer months and fantastic skiing during the winter, ensuring that you’ll never run out of exciting things to do!

Common Questions About Retiring in Wisconsin

Is Wisconsin a tax friendly state for retirees.

Wisconsin is not a tax friendly state for retirees. Income from pensions and annuities, and distributions from IRAs and 401(k) plans are taxable.

Does Wisconsin offer property tax breaks for seniors?

People over the age of 65 can claim an additional $250 personal exemption deduction from their property taxes.

City NamePeople Over 65Violent CrimesProperty CrimesAccess to DoctorsMedian Home Price
Marinette19%91821$83,000
Merrill19.9%191391$84,900
Beloit13.1%1719796$87,400
Wisconsin Rapids20.6%275992$89,100
Two Rivers21.2%361362$93,100
Manitowoc20.6%716612$104,500
Racine12%4351,6626$105,300
Sheboygan16%1838262$109,700
Wausau17.9%1196262$118,300
Superior15.8%761,1303$120,100
Waupun14.9%12922$121,000
Hartford14.9%172046$121,000
Oshkosh13.1%1221,1175$122,200
Fond du Lack16.5%1011,0122$122,600
Chippewa Falls18.4%261755$123,500
Beaver Dam16.5%252392$127,900
Monroe21%111271$128,600
Menasha14.2%453674$129,000
Milwaukee10.2%8,50518,13012$118,000
Green Bay12.4%4831,8064$131,100
Stevens Point12.4%414252$136,000
Neenah14.6%343074$136,700
Marshfield20.4%123821$136,700
Janesville15.9%1671,8004$136,300
La Crosse13.6%1471,9742$136,400
Kaukauna14.2%261383$139,300
Appleton13%1691,1654$142,500
West Allis15.2%2011,70211$142,500
Menomonie10.8%283500$143,200
Kenosha12.6%3391,5136$145,700
Watertown16.4%462206$146,800
Eau Claire13.4%2011,7395$146,200
Baraboo17.3%243583$148,700
Cudahy20.3%2522411$152,000
Fort Atkinson17.3%251693$148,700
South Milwaukee16.5%373699$158,500
Whitewater8.5%251274$164,500
West Bend17.5%565285$169,700
Greenfield20.7%6790311$172,300
De Pere13.6%382054$173,300
River Falls12.1%212913$185,100
Onalaska19.4%64152$189,000
Port Washington15.9%19733$194,300
Waukesha13.4%9275012$199,400
Stoughton15.9%222385$202,000
Glendale24.9%5496712$216,600
Oak Creek12.6%497449221,700
Sun Prairie13%2796712$233,100
Wauwatosa16.7%591,25612$233,100
Madison11.3%1,0616,9573$234,100

Access to Doctors is calculated by finding the number of hospitals, discounting children’s hospitals and VA hospitals within one mile of the city.

Sanda Brown

After graduating in 2016 from The University of Texas with a degree in English, Sanda Brown became a content writer for the BDX with a focus on website copy and content marketing.

At the BDX, Sanda helps write and edit articles on NewHomeSource.com, writes website copy for builders, and manages a team of freelancers that work on additional content needs.

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