Best Places to Retire in Missouri
Missouri can work for retirees who want affordability, healthcare access, and a mix of St. Louis convenience, central-state balance, and lower-cost southwest options.
Best counties to retire in Missouri
#1 St. Charles County, Missouri
Overall Retirement Score: 72
St. Charles County remains one of the stronger all-around Missouri options for healthcare access and practical convenience.
#2 Boone County, Missouri
Overall Retirement Score: 71
Boone County remains a strong central Missouri option for retirees who want a practical university-and-services market.
#3 Christian County, Missouri
Overall Retirement Score: 69
Christian County adds a lower-cost southwest Missouri option with Springfield access and a calmer day-to-day pace.
Greene County, Missouri
A stronger southwest Missouri healthcare-and-services alternative.
Best metros to retire in Missouri
#1 St. Louis, Missouri-Illinois Metro
Overall Retirement Score: 72
St. Louis remains one of the stronger all-around metros for healthcare depth and practical convenience.
#2 Columbia, Missouri Metro
Overall Retirement Score: 70
Columbia remains a strong central Missouri option for retirees who want balance, access, and a university-driven service base.
#3 Springfield, Missouri Metro
Overall Retirement Score: 69
Springfield remains a practical southwest Missouri metro option with a lower-cost profile and a lighter-density feel than St. Louis.
Explore retirement profiles in Missouri
Useful Missouri compare paths
How to use this page
Start with the top counties and metros, then use the related compare paths to narrow the tradeoffs that matter most for retirement.