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
1. Marinette
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
Wisconsin is not a tax friendly state for retirees. Income from pensions and annuities, and distributions from IRAs and 401(k) plans are taxable.
People over the age of 65 can claim an additional $250 personal exemption deduction from their property taxes.
| City Name | People Over 65 | Violent Crimes | Property Crimes | Access to Doctors | Median Home Price |
| Marinette | 19% | 9 | 182 | 1 | $83,000 |
| Merrill | 19.9% | 19 | 139 | 1 | $84,900 |
| Beloit | 13.1% | 171 | 979 | 6 | $87,400 |
| Wisconsin Rapids | 20.6% | 27 | 599 | 2 | $89,100 |
| Two Rivers | 21.2% | 36 | 136 | 2 | $93,100 |
| Manitowoc | 20.6% | 71 | 661 | 2 | $104,500 |
| Racine | 12% | 435 | 1,662 | 6 | $105,300 |
| Sheboygan | 16% | 183 | 826 | 2 | $109,700 |
| Wausau | 17.9% | 119 | 626 | 2 | $118,300 |
| Superior | 15.8% | 76 | 1,130 | 3 | $120,100 |
| Waupun | 14.9% | 12 | 92 | 2 | $121,000 |
| Hartford | 14.9% | 17 | 204 | 6 | $121,000 |
| Oshkosh | 13.1% | 122 | 1,117 | 5 | $122,200 |
| Fond du Lack | 16.5% | 101 | 1,012 | 2 | $122,600 |
| Chippewa Falls | 18.4% | 26 | 175 | 5 | $123,500 |
| Beaver Dam | 16.5% | 25 | 239 | 2 | $127,900 |
| Monroe | 21% | 11 | 127 | 1 | $128,600 |
| Menasha | 14.2% | 45 | 367 | 4 | $129,000 |
| Milwaukee | 10.2% | 8,505 | 18,130 | 12 | $118,000 |
| Green Bay | 12.4% | 483 | 1,806 | 4 | $131,100 |
| Stevens Point | 12.4% | 41 | 425 | 2 | $136,000 |
| Neenah | 14.6% | 34 | 307 | 4 | $136,700 |
| Marshfield | 20.4% | 12 | 382 | 1 | $136,700 |
| Janesville | 15.9% | 167 | 1,800 | 4 | $136,300 |
| La Crosse | 13.6% | 147 | 1,974 | 2 | $136,400 |
| Kaukauna | 14.2% | 26 | 138 | 3 | $139,300 |
| Appleton | 13% | 169 | 1,165 | 4 | $142,500 |
| West Allis | 15.2% | 201 | 1,702 | 11 | $142,500 |
| Menomonie | 10.8% | 28 | 350 | 0 | $143,200 |
| Kenosha | 12.6% | 339 | 1,513 | 6 | $145,700 |
| Watertown | 16.4% | 46 | 220 | 6 | $146,800 |
| Eau Claire | 13.4% | 201 | 1,739 | 5 | $146,200 |
| Baraboo | 17.3% | 24 | 358 | 3 | $148,700 |
| Cudahy | 20.3% | 25 | 224 | 11 | $152,000 |
| Fort Atkinson | 17.3% | 25 | 169 | 3 | $148,700 |
| South Milwaukee | 16.5% | 37 | 369 | 9 | $158,500 |
| Whitewater | 8.5% | 25 | 127 | 4 | $164,500 |
| West Bend | 17.5% | 56 | 528 | 5 | $169,700 |
| Greenfield | 20.7% | 67 | 903 | 11 | $172,300 |
| De Pere | 13.6% | 38 | 205 | 4 | $173,300 |
| River Falls | 12.1% | 21 | 291 | 3 | $185,100 |
| Onalaska | 19.4% | 6 | 415 | 2 | $189,000 |
| Port Washington | 15.9% | 19 | 73 | 3 | $194,300 |
| Waukesha | 13.4% | 92 | 750 | 12 | $199,400 |
| Stoughton | 15.9% | 22 | 238 | 5 | $202,000 |
| Glendale | 24.9% | 54 | 967 | 12 | $216,600 |
| Oak Creek | 12.6% | 49 | 744 | 9 | 221,700 |
| Sun Prairie | 13% | 27 | 967 | 12 | $233,100 |
| Wauwatosa | 16.7% | 59 | 1,256 | 12 | $233,100 |
| Madison | 11.3% | 1,061 | 6,957 | 3 | $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.
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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