HONOLULU (KHON2) — Pearl City, Hawaiʻi, is one of the lowest-ranked places in the United States to spend retirement, according to a new report released Sept. 2.
The city placed #175 out of 182 U.S. cities in the “Best & Worst Places to Retire” study.
Here’s what we know from the report.
The challenge of retirement security
The Employee Benefit Research Institute’s 2025 Retirement Confidence Survey found that 67% of workers said they were at least somewhat confident they could retire comfortably.
Yet only 24% said they were “very confident.” Rising costs, limited savings and health care expenses weigh heavily on many U.S. citizens.
Gallup data showed workers in 1995 expected to retire at 60. By 2022, the average expected age rose to 66. For some, the answer may be delaying retirement. For others, relocating is the only way to stretch limited dollars.
Why Pearl City ranks low
The study compared 182 cities across 45 factors, from cost of living to health care to recreation. Pearl City scored 38.81 which placed it close to the bottom, 175 out of 182..
The city tied for 169th in adjusted cost of living which is amongst the highest in the nation. It also tied for 174th in annual cost of in-home services. That made living independently more expensive for kupuna.
Despite these struggles, Pearl City had one of the highest shares of residents age 65 and older where it ranked #2 nationally.
How other cities compare
The top five cities for retirees were Orlando, Scottsdale, Minneapolis, Miami and Tampa. By contrast, the lowest-ranked cities included Stockton, San Bernardino and Rancho Cucamonga in California.
“It’s important to choose wisely when picking where to retire, as many retirees are on a fixed income,” explained Chip Lupo, an analyst for the report. “As a result, the best cities for retired people are those that minimize taxes and expenses, as well as have good opportunities for retirees to continue paid work for extra income, if they choose to do so. In addition, the top cities provide high-quality health care and offer plenty of enjoyable activities for retirees.”
Living with tradeoffs
Pearl City shares one advantage with nearby Honolulu. Both rank high for recreation and kupuna centers per capita. The area also offers mild weather compared to harsher climates on the continent.
But cost factors remain difficult to overcome. When compared to the most affordable cities, expenses in Pearl City are several times higher.
Click here to access the full report.
That balance between natural beauty and economic strain makes the city a challenging place to retire for many families.