Midland — Watch out Florida, Michigan may soon become the hottest place to retire.
Tucked away in the Saginaw Bay region, the small city of Midland just climbed to the top of the charts for those 65 and over. According to U.S. News & World Report’s 2026 rankings, it’s now the top place to retire in the country.
Midland wasn’t the only Michigan city singled out. Rochester Hills, Troy, and Farmington Hills all landed in the top 31, and seven other Michigan cities rounded out the top 250.
Midland has long had a way of mixing small-town comforts with big-city amenities. Best known as the longtime headquarters of the Dow Chemical Company, Midland currently sits at just over 42,000 residents. It stood out in the report for its quality of life, low tax rates for seniors, and low cost of living.
Ewan Hayes is a long-time resident of Midland. He said he’s not surprised the city is receiving national recognition.
“It’s a wonderful town to relax in and get away from big-city life and embrace a slower pace. It’s really safe, it has a thriving community with tons of fun things to do in town, and it’s not too far away from either large cities or one of the Great Lakes,” he explained. “It’s a very central location with access to pretty much anything you could want in its own little bubble. It’s also a great place to raise a family, so being able to retire in a small town near where your grandkids might be living would also be a great reason to move there.”
What pushes Midland to the front of the pack is a blend of nature, community, and comfort that highlights all the best of Michigan. Residents can start their mornings at the Midland Farmers Market, explore dozens of downtown shops and restaurants, or take advantage of the city’s breweries, parks, and outdoor recreation.
The City of Midland released a statement after the rankings were published, putting the spotlight on its residents: “Above all, we believe the reason Midland is #1 is YOU, the people who make this community such a warm, vibrant, and welcoming place to call home.”
Many retirees have already found Midland. Already, 20% of Midland’s residents are over 65. Yet, when exploring the downtown, there is no shortage of young families making their way from store to store.
Like many of Michigan’s towns, Midland can often feel like a scene plucked from a postcard. Especially during the holidays, when families gather around its signature fire pits downtown, storefronts glow with seasonal decor, and the city rolls out festivities like the Santa Parade, live music, and the beloved Cocoa Crawl.
Christmas really brings out the best of Midland, according to Hayes.
“I think that one of Midland’s highlights is walking through Dow Gardens around Christmas time,” he said. “Between the carolers, the hot chocolate barn, and the way the gardens are decorated with both the ornaments and the freshly falling snow, it definitely shows off the thriving community that Midland has and the natural beauty that the city tries to preserve.”
The Dow Gardens have a legacy of natural beauty right in the center of Midland. Cultivated for over 125 years, it features 110 acres of parks, man-made art and the longest canopy walk in the country. In addition to the park, residents can enjoy year-round nature at Midland City Forest, the Children’s Zoo at Celebration Square, nearby lakes and recreation areas, or the Tridge—a three-way wooden footbridge that spans where the Tittabawassee and Chippewa rivers meet.
Midland doesn’t just go all out at Christmas, though. From Michigan’s largest antique festival to the largest outdoor new car show in North America, the city offers a full slate of seasonal events and unique activities for residents and visitors throughout the year.
Overall, Midland shines for its walkability, cultural spaces, and access to the outdoors, while maintaining affordability. Currently, the national average home price sits at $370,489, compared with Midland’s $206,142. The city also imposes no local sales or income tax, and recent statewide changes mean Michigan no longer taxes Social Security income.
This set Midland apart nationally, according to the rankings.
The town draws in more than just nature lovers too. Fine arts enthusiasts can enjoy the Midland Center for the Arts or visit one of the many local museums, rounding out the city’s cultural scene that is constantly expanding. Baseball fans can even catch a Great Lakes Loons game at Dow Diamond, one of the most beloved minor-league parks in the country.
For retirees, this aesthetic is often exactly what they are seeking: a small but connected community where fixed incomes can be stretched without sacrificing their quality of life. That balance is hard for anyone to beat.
Elyse Apel is a reporter for The Center Square, covering Colorado and Michigan. A graduate of Hillsdale College, Elyse’s writing has been published in a wide variety of national publications, including the Washington Examiner, The American Spectator, and The Daily Wire.
