MISSOURI — Stacker compiled a list of the best counties to retire to in Missouri using data from Niche.
Location is critical when determining where to spend one’s life while enjoying favorite activities. It’s an incredibly unique decision based on a multitude of preferences and needs. Whether it’s affordable housing options, access to parks and museums, shopping centers, or lively downtowns, retirees seeking to settle in a permanent spot are sure to find a private paradise in any of these counties recommended by Niche.
When seniors aged 65-years or older decide on where they want to live out their golden years, they consider very specific factors, such as the cost of living, government services, health care facilities, weather, and overall climate, crime rate, outdoor recreational activities, eating establishments, cultural and entertainment opportunities, and more. Stacker compiled this list of the best counties to retire in Missouri using data from Niche. Niche ranks counties based on a variety of factors including cost of living, healthcare, recreation, and weather. You can read more about Niche’s methodology here.
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#25. Cape Girardeau County
Niche grades: good for retirees (B+), cost of living (B+), weather (B-), outdoor activities (B+)
Top places to live: Jackson (A-), Cape Girardeau (B+), Cape Girardeau Township (A-)
#24. Shelby County
Niche grades: good for retirees (B+), cost of living (A), weather (B-), outdoor activities (C)
Top places to live: Taylor Township (A-), Bethel Township (A-), Black Creek Township (B+)
#23. Lewis County
Niche grades: good for retirees (B+), cost of living (A), weather (B-), outdoor activities (C)
Top places to live: Union Township (B), Canton (B), La Grange (B-)
#22. Lafayette County
Niche grades: good for retirees (B+), cost of living (A-), weather (B-), outdoor activities (C)
Top places to live: Higginsville (B), Lexington (B), Odessa (B-)
#21. Grundy County
Niche grades: good for retirees (B+), cost of living (A), weather (B-), outdoor activities (C-)
Top places to live: Trenton (B-), Wilson Township (B+), Lincoln Township (B)You may also like: Biggest sources of immigrants to Missouri
#20. Gasconade County
Niche grades: good for retirees (B+), cost of living (A-), weather (B-), outdoor activities (B-)
Top places to live: Owensville (B), Roark Township (B+), Hermann (B)
#19. Jasper County
Niche grades: good for retirees (B+), cost of living (B+), weather (B-), outdoor activities (B)
Top places to live: Carl Junction (A), Webb City (A-), Oronogo (B+)
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#18. St. Clair County
Niche grades: good for retirees (B+), cost of living (A-), weather (B-), outdoor activities (B-)
Top places to live: Osceola Township (B-), Appleton Township (B-), Collins (B-)
#17. Barry County
Niche grades: good for retirees (B+), cost of living (A-), weather (B-), outdoor activities (B+)
Top places to live: Monett (B), Cassville (C+), Butterfield (B+)
#16. Barton County
Niche grades: good for retirees (B+), cost of living (A), weather (B-), outdoor activities (B-)
Top places to live: Lamar (C+), Northfork Township (A-), Lamar Township (A-)You may also like: Best places to retire in Missouri
#15. Bates County
Niche grades: good for retirees (B+), cost of living (A-), weather (B-), outdoor activities (B-)
Top places to live: Butler (C), Hudson Township (B), Lone Oak Township (B)
#14. Henry County
Niche grades: good for retirees (B+), cost of living (A-), weather (B-), outdoor activities (C)
Top places to live: Clinton (C+), Windsor (C), Davis Township (B)
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#13. Cedar County
Niche grades: good for retirees (B+), cost of living (A-), weather (B-), outdoor activities (C)
Top places to live: El Dorado Springs (C), Linn Township (B-), Stockton (C+)
#12. St. Charles County
Niche grades: good for retirees (B+), cost of living (B), weather (B-), outdoor activities (A-)
Top places to live: Dardenne Prairie (A+), Cottleville (A+), O’Fallon (A)
#11. Dade County
Niche grades: good for retirees (B+), cost of living (A), weather (B-), outdoor activities (B)
Top places to live: Dadeville (B), North Township (B), South Morgan Township (B-)You may also like: Counties with the most born-and-bred residents in Missouri
#10. Linn County
Niche grades: good for retirees (A-), cost of living (A), weather (B-), outdoor activities (C)
Top places to live: Brookfield (B-), Marceline Township (B+), Marceline (B+)
#9. Iron County
Niche grades: good for retirees (A-), cost of living (A), weather (B-), outdoor activities (B+)
Top places to live: Ironton (B-), Arcadia Township (B), Liberty Township (B)
#8. Hickory County
Niche grades: good for retirees (A-), cost of living (A), weather (B-), outdoor activities (B)
Top places to live: Montgomery Township (B+), Center Township (B), Cross Timbers Township (B)
#7. St. Louis County
Niche grades: good for retirees (A-), cost of living (B-), weather (B-), outdoor activities (A)
Top places to live: Richmond Heights (A+), Clayton (A+), Brentwood (A+)
#6. Taney County
Niche grades: good for retirees (A), cost of living (B+), weather (B), outdoor activities (A-)
Top places to live: Branson (B+), Hollister (B), Merriam Woods (B)You may also like: Most popular boy names in the 60s in Missouri
#5. Morgan County
Niche grades: good for retirees (A), cost of living (A-), weather (B-), outdoor activities (C+)
Top places to live: Versailles (B-), Moreau Township (B-), Buffalo Township (C+)
#4. Benton County
Niche grades: good for retirees (A), cost of living (A-), weather (B), outdoor activities (B-)
Top places to live: Warsaw (C+), Cole Camp (B+), Williams Township (B)
#3. Stone County
Niche grades: good for retirees (A), cost of living (B+), weather (B-), outdoor activities (A-)
Top places to live: Kimberling City (B), Ruth B City Township (B), Blue Eye (B)
#2. Atchison County
Niche grades: good for retirees (A), cost of living (A), weather (B-), outdoor activities (C+)
Top places to live: Polk Township (A-), Clay Township (B+), Rock Port (B+)
#1. Camden County
Niche grades: good for retirees (A), cost of living (B), weather (B), outdoor activities (A-)
Top places to live: Village of Four Seasons (B+), Camdenton (B-), Osage Beach (B-)You may also like: Where people in Missouri are moving to most
