2 Underrated Texas Cities Just Ranked As The Best Places To Retire In America

Forbes' 2025 "Best Places to Retire in America" list includes two Texas cities: San Antonio and College Station. San Antonio offers a rich mix of museums and historic sites while College Station is a friendly college town, with Texas A&M at its heart and plenty of local charm. While these two cities are very different, both have what retirees care about most; affordable homes, and a variety of things to see and do.

When you're ready for fun, each city has its own style. San Antonio has the 15-mile River Walk, as well as the historic Alamo to keep retirees entertained. It also has more than 250 city-run parks with walking trails and outdoor fitness stations meaning seniors have many low-cost options for staying active and social. Meanwhile, in College Station there is the Museum of the American G.I., a history-based attraction with restored WWI–Vietnam-era vehicles, and interactive exhibits, perfect for a cool, educational retreat during summer afternoons. College Park also boasts a relatively low crime rate, which is something to look out for when you consider the cost of living in dangerous cities.

According to Forbes, the city's median home price of $252,000 is 38% below the national median home price. For context, the National Association of Realtors reported that the median existing-home sales price in the U.S. was $403,700 in March 2025. Add Texas' lack of state income tax or estate tax, into the mix, and retirees could free up some money just in time to deal with Medicare's price hike in 2025. Another consideration is that San Antonio's overall cost of living is 9% below the U.S. average, per Payscale.

Speaking of healthcare, Texas has long struggled with making care affordable and easy to reach. In 2023, it was among the lowest-ranked for access and affordability according to Commonwealth Fund's State Health System Performance data. However, in San Antonio things are a little different, thanks to the South Texas Medical Center (STMC). This district is home to numerous hospitals, research centers, and specialty clinics, serving as the go-to place for everything from advanced heart and cancer care to neurology and bone-marrow transplants.

With that said, according to NeighborhoodScout, the city's property crime rate runs around 54 incidents per 1,000 residents, well above the U.S. median of 19 per 1,000. In plain terms, that's a 1-in-19 chance of a burglary or motor vehicle theft in San Antonio versus about 1-in-53 nationwide.

Forbes puts College Station's median home price at $347,000, about 14.05% below the median existing-home sales price. Although Forbes places the cost of living at 13% below the national average, the Economic Research Institute (ERI) index pegs it at 17% below instead. Plus, just like San Antonio, College Park residents benefit from Texas' no-income-tax policy.

According to Nextdoor, the city's overall crime rate is 22.57 incidents per 1,000 residents, compared with a national average of 33.37 per 1,000 — meaning College Park's crime rate is 10.8% below the national average. Also, much of the local economy centers on Texas A&M University. From 2022 to 2023, A&M's activities generated about $3.5 billion worth of economic impact in the Brazos Valley, and supported one in four jobs locally. Through its Continuing & Professional Education division, retirees can also enjoy non-credit workshops and community courses that welcome adult learners. This could be useful if you decide you want to unretire or simply take up a new hobby.

A downside of College park is the city's limited public transit. College Station scores just a 34 Walk Score, meaning that residents must generally be car-dependent, per Walk Score. This means you'll need to rely on a vehicle and, thus, incur more in fuel costs, insurance, and car maintenance. College Station's summer weather is another reason you will need a car for errands. From June 1 to September 22, average daily highs are above 89 degrees Fahrenheit, according to Weather Spark.