AARP Names Knoxville Top Affordable Retirement City

The AARP ranking cites lower housing costs, healthcare access and community activities for residents 65 and older.

Updated on Nov. 12, 2026 in Seniors

Photograph of a quiet tree-lined street of modest brick homes with porches and mature oak trees, with wooded foothills visible in the distance. — AARP has named Knoxville, Tennessee the top affordable U.S. city for retirees, citing housing costs about 43 percent below the national average and access to healthcare and community activities. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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AARP has selected Knoxville as the top affordable city in the nation to retire. Housing costs in Knoxville are 43 percent lower than the U.S. average.

Why it matters

For retirees weighing where to settle, the ranking highlights how housing costs, healthcare access and local activities factor into affordability for those 65 and older. Knoxville's lower costs may make it a practical option for residents on fixed incomes.

The ranking is based on housing affordability, healthcare and community activities for residents 65 and older, with Knoxville's housing costs 43 percent below the national average. The rankings do not detail how individual criteria were weighted in the final selection.

The players

AARP

AARP is a nonprofit membership organization focused on issues affecting Americans age 50 and older, including health, financial security and consumer advocacy.

The details

The AARP ranking evaluates cities on affordability, healthcare and activities available to residents 65 and older. Knoxville offers a recreation center with fitness classes and wellness assessments, a hospital, a Veterans Affairs clinic, two wineries, a golf club and the Grand Theater.

AARP published the Knoxville ranking on November 12, 2026.

Culture Shift

The ranking reflects a growing emphasis among retirees on cost of living and access to services, as AARP's annual rankings of cities for adults 65 and older continue to shape how mid-life and older Americans weigh relocation. Knoxville's inclusion points to mid-sized Southern cities gaining attention as affordable retirement destinations.

For Knoxville residents and prospective retirees, the ranking signals that lower housing costs and access to healthcare and recreation may stretch retirement budgets further. Those considering a move can compare local housing prices and nearby medical facilities before deciding.

The takeaway

Affordability for older adults depends on more than housing prices, so retirees should weigh healthcare access and local activities alongside cost. Comparing several factors can help match a retirement budget to the right community.