A survey by Economy.com showed the following cities as being the most affordable:

• Elmira, Jamestown, Syracuse, Buffalo, Rochester, and Binghamton in New York;
• Springfield, Illinois;
• South Bend and Fort Wayne, Indiana; 
• Topeka, Kansas.

Read Retire in Style: 50 Affordable Places across America by Warren Bland for more information. This book offers val­uable tips including which states have no personal income taxes (Alaska, Nevada, Texas, etc.) and which states, like Texas, freeze school-district property taxes for homeowners at age 65. William H. Frey analyzed census data to come up with cities with the greatest percentage growth in popula­tions for people age 65 and over.

Many retirees choose to move north of the border as hous­ing and the cost of living in most areas are less expensive, and there is a favorable exchange rate. However, Canada has stringent requirements for establishing residency. You must show good-sized net worth, pay a great deal of taxes, and, if you are intent on emigrating, a substantial amount of paper­work and up to three years waiting time.

According to Thomas C. Corley in his book
“The Top 100 Cheapest Places to Retire in the U.S. in 2012”

#1 GREGORY, TEXAS
#2 HOLLY HILL, FLORIDA
#3 LONG BEACH, MISSISSIPPI
#4 INGLESIDE, TEXAS
#5 PEMBROKE PARK, FLORIDA
#6 MARGATE, FLORIDA
#7 LARGO, FLORIDA
#8 LA PORTE, TEXAS
#9 PORT ST. JOE, FLORIDA
#10 SAN BENITO, TEXAS
#11 NEW PORT RICHIE, FLORIDA
#12 OAK HILL, FLORIDA
#13 GREENACRES, FLORIDA
#14 SOUTH DAYTONA, FLORIDA
#15 LAKESIDE, TEXAS
#16 BRIDGE CITY, TEXAS
#17 GALENA PARK, TEXAS
#18 LAUDERDALE LAKES, FLORIDA
#19 ROBSTOWN, TEXAS
#20 EDGEWATER, FLORIDA
#21 PORT ORANGE, FLORIDA
#22 PALMETTO, FLORIDA
#23 PALM BAY, FLORIDA
#24 GULFPORT, MISSISSIPPI
#25 MOBILE, ALABAMA
#26 LA MARQUE, TEXAS
#27 SOUTH PASADENA, FLORIDA
#28 TEXAS CITY, TEXAS
#29 CHICKAWAW, ALABAMA
#30 DUNEDIN, FLORIDA
#31 TITUSVILLE, FLORIDA
#32 BROWSVILLE, TEXAS
#33 STUART, FLORIDA
#34 SEBASTIAN, FLORIDA
#35 LA JOYA, TEXAS
#36 DEER PARK, TEXAS
#37 BAYTOWN, TEXAS
#38 SEMINOLE, FLORIDA
#39 PINELLAS PARK, FLORIDA
#40 TAMARAC, FLORIDA
#41 DOVER, DELAWARE
#42 RAYMONDVILLE, TEXAS
#43 SOUTH HOUSTON, TEXAS
#44 SURFSIDE BEACH, TEXAS
#45 VIDOR, TEXAS
#46 PENSACOLA, FLORIDA
#47 ARANSAS PASS, TEXAS
#48 CORPUS CHRISTIE, TEXAS
#49 LAUDERHILL, FLORIDA
#50 PORT ARTHUR, TEXAS
#51 BRADENTON, FLORIDA
#52 PORTLAND, TEXAS
#53 NORTH LAUDERDALE, FLORIDA
#54 PORT RICHEY, FLORIDA
#55 ROMA, TEXAS
#56 PRICHARD, ALABAMA
#57 SANTA FE, TEXAS
#58 ONALASKA, TEXAS
#59 COCONUT CREEK, FLORIDA
#60 ANGLETON, TEXAS
#61 ALVIN, TEXAS
#62 FORT PIERCE, FLORIDA
#63 PENITAS, TEXAS
#64 KIRBY, TEXAS
#65 HIALEAH GARDENS, FLORIDA
#66 FLORENCE, OREGON
#67 COOS BAY, OREGON
#68 ROCKLEDGE, FLORIDA
#69 HIDALGO, TEXAS
#70 CLAIRTON, PENNSYLVANIA
#71 BAY CITY, TEXAS
#72 EXETER, NEW HAMPSHIRE
#73 HANAHAN, SOUTH CAROLINA
#74 FORT WALTON BEACH, FLORIDA
#75 HARLINGEN, TEXAS
#76 MOUNT CARMEL, PENNSYLVANIA
#77 DEERFIELD BEACH, FLORIDA
#78 MELBOURNE, FLORIDA
#79 HAVELOCK, NORTH CAROLINA
#80 HIALEAH, FLORIDA
#81 JACKSONVILLE, NORTH CAROLINA
#82 BILOXI, MISSISSIPPI
#83 BAY MINETTE, ALABAMA
#84 PASADENA, TEXAS
#85 PARKER, FLORIDA
#86 NORTH CHARLESTON, SOUTH CAROLINA
#87 BURNETTOWN, SOUTH CAROLINA
#88 ST. AUGUSTINE SHORES, FLORIDA
#89 GOOSE CREEK, SOUTH CAROLINA
#90 HOQUIAM, WASHINGTON
#91 ANDREWS, TEXAS
#92 GALVESTON, TEXAS
#93 MERCEDES, TEXAS
#94 ALIQUIPPA, PENNSYLVANIA
#95 OAK HARBOR, WASHINGTON
#96 HONDO, TEXAS
#97 OIL CITY, PENNSYLVANIA
#98 PARK CITY, ILLINOIS
#99 ROSENBERG, TEXAS
#100 BLUE MOUND, TEXAS