When you finally stop working, the last thing you want to worry about is looking over your shoulder. You want to walk your dog at night, leave your windows open and know you’re living somewhere secure.
We all want a low cost of living and good weather, but if you don’t feel safe, none of that matters.
Whether you want to stay stateside or pack your bags for an adventure overseas, finding the best place to retire is a huge decision, and safety is a major factor.
We searched opinions from several popular news sources to find places that offer serious peace of mind.
Here are 10 of the safest places to retire right now, both in this country and others.
5 of the safest places to retire in the U.S.
If you want to stay close to home, the safest spots range from quiet New England states to sunny desert communities.
- New Hampshire: According to Bankrate’s 2025 retirement study, this state ranks No. 1 overall in the U.S. for retirees. It specifically took the top spot for neighborhood safety.
- Maine: Also from the same Bankrate study, Maine came in second overall for retirement and second for neighborhood safety, boasting a low violent crime rate.
- Idaho: Bankrate highlights Idaho for having the lowest rate of property crimes in the country, earning it the No. 3 spot for neighborhood safety overall.
- Oro Valley, Arizona: A recent GOBankingRates analysis of the safest retirement towns placed Oro Valley at No. 1. It cites a low violent crime rate of just 0.57 per 1,000 residents.
- Pinehurst, North Carolina: Famous for its golf courses, Pinehurst took the No. 2 spot on the same GOBankingRates safety list with a violent crime rate of only 0.43 per 1,000 residents.
(Related: See Retirees Are Flocking to These 10 States)
5 of the safest places to retire abroad
If you’re willing to cross a border or an ocean, your dollars can go a lot further without sacrificing your personal security.
- Portugal: It constantly ranks as one of the top retirement havens and safest countries in the world. International Living recently named it the No. 1 safest place to retire for 2026, noting that expats routinely report feeling perfectly secure walking alone at night.
- Ireland: Ranked No. 2 on the Global Peace Index, Ireland offers a relaxed culture with incredibly low crime, making it a top pick for safety-conscious expats according to Nomad Capitalist.
- Costa Rica: Consistently ranked highly on global retirement lists, this Central American country is famous for its stable democracy, peaceful environment and lack of a standing army, according to Wise.
- Tarragona, Spain: If you want Spanish beach life without the big-city crime, Live and Invest Overseas highlights Tarragona. It notes it offers a much more relaxed, secure pace of life than busier hotspots like Madrid or Valencia.
- Malaysia: Sitting at No. 10 on the Global Peace Index, this Southeast Asian haven offers a welcoming culture, extremely low crime and excellent healthcare.
(Related: See What to Know Before Retiring Abroad)
Before you pack up a moving truck or book a one-way flight, go visit these places first. Rent a place for a month, walk the streets at night and see if it actually feels like home. Safety isn’t just a statistic; it’s how you feel when you step out your front door.
