U.S. News & World Report has ranked Eau Claire as the #1 city in Wisconsin and #57 nationally on its list of Best Places to Retire for 2026. This recognition highlights Eau Claire as an ideal location for retirees seeking a high quality of life, affordability, and access to excellent healthcare. To identify the best places to retire, U.S. News analyzed data from more than 850 cities across the United States, evaluating how well each city meets Americans’ retirement needs and expectations. Rankings considered factors such as quality of life, overall value, tax rates, senior population and migration trends, and healthcare quality.

For more details and to see the full U.S. News list of the Top 250 Best Places to Retire, visit U.S. News & World Report.