Top East Coast Destinations for Retirees Seeking a Carless Lifestyle: A Complete Guide to Best States to Retire To

Retiring on a fixed income often means making strategic financial decisions. One surprisingly effective way to enhance retirement finances is eliminating vehicle-related expenses altogether. The average American retiree spends approximately $3,989 annually on car maintenance, repairs, insurance, and fuel—a substantial sum that, if redirected, could significantly improve quality of life. This reality has sparked growing interest in walkable communities where a car becomes optional rather than essential.

Why Walkability Matters for Retirement Planning

To identify ideal retirement destinations without the need for personal transportation, a comprehensive analysis examined American communities where at least 20% of the population is retirement age (65+). The research employed the Environmental Protection Agency’s National Walkability Index as the primary evaluation tool, categorizing cities on a scale where 10.51-15.25 represents above-average walkability, and 15.26-20 indicates the most pedestrian-friendly environments. The final rankings were geographically filtered to focus exclusively on East Coast locations, creating a valuable resource for those planning their retirement years across New England, the Mid-Atlantic, and the Southeast.

The Northeast Leaders: Massachusetts and Connecticut Communities

Massachusetts emerges as a walkability champion on the East Coast. Saugus, Massachusetts combines robust livability (83) with exceptional walkability (17.2), positioning it among the most accessible locations studied. Just slightly behind lies Peabody, Massachusetts with an impressive walkability index of 18.7 and annual living costs of $72,899. For those seeking higher-quality rankings, Lexington, Massachusetts offers the highest livability score (92) in the state, though at a premium cost of $135,228 annually.

Connecticut communities provide compelling alternatives for budget-conscious retirees. Milford, Connecticut delivers strong livability (88) with a below-average cost of living at $63,597 yearly, while Orange, Connecticut features a walkability score of 17.0 and annual expenses of $70,422.

New York and New Jersey Options: Urban Walkability

Long Island and suburban New Jersey communities present additional choices. Rockville Centre, New York stands out with walkability of 16.7 and solid livability (86), though prospective residents should note the higher transportation index of 172.8. New Providence, New Jersey and Plainview, New York both deliver livability scores in the mid-80s, catering to those seeking suburban convenience with pedestrian-friendly infrastructure.

Southern Tier Advantages: Florida Communities

Florida locations dominate when considering affordability combined with walkability. Tavares, Florida leads the value proposition with annual living costs of only $46,517 and a walkability index of 19.0. Similarly affordable, North Port, Florida requires just $45,422 annually while maintaining a walkability score of 16.5. New Port Richey, Florida rounds out the budget-friendly options at $45,577 yearly expenses.

For premium Florida living, Wilton Manors, Florida delivers exceptional livability (91) with walkability of 17.0, though at higher annual costs of $73,020. Miami Springs, Florida offers moderate walkability (15.0) at $76,859 annually.

Secondary Destinations: Diverse Geographic Options

Portsmouth, New Hampshire provides New England charm with notably low transportation costs (index of 83.8) and annual living expenses of $79,869. The community balances walkability and quality of life effectively.

Moving south, Morganton, North Carolina presents the lowest annual living cost on this entire list at $41,297, paired with impressive walkability (19.3) and the lowest transportation index (80.0). This represents exceptional value for carless retirement planning.

Wyomissing, Pennsylvania and Springfield, Virginia extend walkability options into additional mid-Atlantic communities, with annual costs ranging from $51,185 to $74,701.

Key Takeaways for Prospective Retirees

The data reveals that eliminating approximately $4,000 in annual transportation expenses is entirely achievable across East Coast communities—even more so in Southern locations where Morganton, North Carolina and Florida’s Gulf Coast communities substantially undercut national averages.

When evaluating the best states to retire to, walkability emerges as a crucial factor alongside cost of living and livability metrics. The intersection of these three variables creates genuine opportunities for financial security during retirement years. Whether prioritizing affordability, urban amenities, or natural beauty, these twenty East Coast destinations demonstrate that carless retirement is not merely possible—it represents a viable strategy for sustainable, fulfilling later years.

Research Methodology: Analysis incorporated U.S. Census 2024 American Community Survey data, Environmental Protection Agency National Walkability Index rankings, Sperling’s BestPlaces cost-of-living indices, and Bureau of Labor Statistics Consumer Expenditure Survey information. All metrics reflect data current as of October 20, 2025.