7 Under-The-Radar Retirement Towns In Missouri

Missouri stands out as a great place to consider retiring for a variety of reasons. First, Missouri is beautiful. The Mississippi and Missouri rivers run through the state, while the Ozarks reach into the southern region of Missouri, offering plenty of nature walks and gorgeous views. Missouri has no tax on social security, estates, or inheritance, and public pensions are only partially taxed, which makes Missouri an appealing destination to retire. There are many small towns in Missouri with a variety of price ranges that retirees should consider when choosing where to move.

Battlefield

A great town for animal lovers to retire in is Battlefield, Missouri. The median home sale price here is $319,999. While that is higher than the Missouri average, it is lower than the national average of $410,800. What makes this town great for animal lovers is that the Wonders of Wildlife National Museum and Aquarium, the Dickerson Park Zoo, and the Missouri Institute of Natural Science are all within a twenty-minute drive of Battlefield! There are also plenty of beautiful walking trails in Battlefield for those who prefer a more interactive and hands-on zoo experience. Check out Butterfield Stage Park and Cherokee Trail of Tears Park to find these hikes. Battlefield also has a public golf course (Rivercut Golf Course), is within twenty minutes of the Springfield Art Museum, and is named for Wilson’s Creek National Battlefield, which is within town limits and memorializes the first Civil War Battle fought west of the Mississippi River.

Poplar Bluff

A more affordable option for the retiree interested in Missouri is “The Gateway to the Ozarks,” or Poplar Bluff. The median home sale price for Poplar Bluff is only $150,000, much smaller than the median home sale price for the state, $280,500. Poplar Bluff is also safer than 74% of American cities and is within ten minutes of Poplar Bluff Regional Medical Center, which is rated 4.2 stars on Google Reviews. This town is perfect for the history lover, as it has three great museums close by. The Margaret Harwell Art Museum is located in a historical house preserved from the 19th century. Along with the art on display, the museum also hosts art classes. The Poplar Bluff History Museum is also highly rated and is located in the old Mark Twain School. Finally, the Mo-Ark Regional Railroad Museum is located in an old railway station. It has lots of model trains and even an old dining car on display! Poplar Bluff is an ideal place to retire for history lovers.

Lake St. Louis

Lake St. Louis is a small town located in eastern Missouri. With a population of less than 20,000 and a safety score higher than 65% of American cities, Lake St. Louis definitely has that small-town feel. The town is a bit more expensive than others on the list, with a median home sale price of $450,000, but the beautiful city makes it worth it! Lake St. Louis has five public parks that are described as “safe” and “clean.” Boulevard Park has an amphitheater and pavilion where the town shows movies and hosts concerts during the summer. Active retirees can get their game on playing golf at the Heritage of Hawk Ridge Golf Course or pickleball at Meadows Park in the summer. The town has a popular Farmer’s Market open from April to November, and also hosts town community events such as holiday celebrations and even city-wide garage sales. To top it all off, Lake St. Louis has a variety of high-rated restaurants like Cugino’s Craft Kitchen (4.5 stars), BC’s Kitchen (4.5 stars), and Sushi Sen (4.5 stars). Lake St. Louis would be a safe and engaging place to retire.

Dardenne Prairie

For the retiree looking to splurge on a really nice place, look no further than Dardenne Prairie. The median home sale price is $556,000, but you get what you pay for! The town is very safe and extremely beautiful. There are plenty of walking trails throughout the town’s four parks where you can experience this beauty firsthand. Dardenne Prairie is also perfect for the golf lover. There are three golf courses in the area. Pheasant Run Golf Course and The Links at Dardenne are public courses, and Winghaven Country Club is a private course. Lots of options for golf! To top it off, the town of Dardenne Prairie hosts pickleball leagues, clinics, and tournaments, runs different programs and events for seniors, and puts together free concerts in the summer. Dardenne Prairie would truly be a paradise to retire in.

Greenwood

Greenwood is a fantastic town to retire in for those who love to hunt. While the median sale price is $419,000, the town has fantastic statistics. It is safer than 71% of American cities and is also one of the safest towns in Missouri. Seven minutes from town is Lee’s Summit Medical Center, which has a whopping 4.5 stars on Google Reviews. The James A. Reed Memorial Wildlife Area is located in Greenwood. There, you can participate in fishing, hunting, hiking, trapping, bird watching, camping, and even archery! It is perfect for the outdoorsman or woman. Greenwood also has an annual Freedom Festival to celebrate Independence Day with rides, games, live music, a car show, food, fireworks, and various vendors. Like any good small town, Greenwood shows family movies at one of their parks (Joel Dean Hitt Park) during the summer. This town truly would be a beautiful place to retire.

Savannah

For a more affordable retirement option, consider Savannah, Missouri. The median home sale price is $238,000, and the town is safer than 66% of American cities. This town also has a lot of options for the active retiree, including walking trails and disc golf at Duncan Park, public golf at Duncan Hills Golf Course, and swimming at the Savannah Aquatic Center, which offers a senior discount! Messick Park has basketball courts, playgrounds, a skate park, and a baseball field for retirees with young family members. The Andrew County Museum is also located in Savannah, has good reviews, and has a senior discount as well! For a small town dining experience, visit the Savannah Family Restaurant (4.4 stars) or the Pasture Cafe (4.5 stars). Savannah, Missouri, is a well-rounded town to retire in.

Moscow Mills

Rounding up the list is Moscow Mills, Missouri. Moscow Mills is safer than 61% of American cities, with a median home sale price of $345,000. The town has a 2025 population of 4,144 and certainly has that small-town feel. Kiwanis Park is a great park in the area with beautiful walking trails, playground equipment, and a peaceful creek. Mill Park is located right in Moscow Mills and is a great place to walk around and enjoy nature. Moscow Mills also has a fantastic community that works to keep the parks and town clean. Eagle Fork Farms is close by and has fun seasonal activities! Stop by to pick pumpkins or bring little ones to play on the playgrounds; either way, you will have a great time. Moscow Mills is a great place to retire for that small-town feel.

The rivers, prairies, and foothills in Missouri make it a beautiful and peaceful place. With the lack of inheritance and social security taxes, Missouri is a very tempting state to retire in. These seven cities give a wide range of prices and interests for the retiree to choose from based on their situation and goals. All that is left to do is to pick one of these great cities and get moving!