Troy landed the No. 20 spot on U.S. News & World Report's 2027 Best Places to Retire list, released Oct. 27, making it the second-highest-ranked Michigan city.

Four Michigan communities placed among the nation's top 25. Midland claimed the No. 1 spot for the second consecutive year, followed by Troy at No. 20, Wyoming at No. 21 and Rochester Hills at No. 24, according to the Detroit Free Press.

Troy performed well in quality of life, placing in the top 10% of cities evaluated on that measure, according to the Free Press. Health care and the local job market also contributed to its ranking.

The city offers retirees access to amenities including the Troy Community Center, Somerset Collection, Troy Historic Village, parks and golf courses.

How the rankings work

U.S. News evaluated 859 cities and published its top 250 retirement destinations.

The rankings weigh six factors: affordability, quality of life, health care quality, retiree taxes, population and migration trends among people 55 and older, and the local job market.

Those factors are weighted using survey responses from adults ages 45 and older about what matters most when choosing where to retire.

For the 2027 rankings, U.S. News increased the importance of affordability to reflect concerns about retirement costs.

"It's no secret that affordability is top of mind for Americans this year," Megan Wood, assistant managing editor for home services and real estate at U.S. News, said in the organization's announcement.

The rankings combine those survey priorities with demographic, economic, housing and health care data.

Troy's appeal to retirees

Troy's strong showing reflects a combination of community amenities, access to health care and employment opportunities.

The city has recreational facilities, shopping destinations and parks that provide activities for residents across age groups.

According to the U.S. News profile for Troy, the city's housing costs are relatively high in dollar terms but compare more favorably when considered alongside local household incomes.

That distinction matters for retirees weighing housing expenses against their financial resources.

A high overall ranking does not necessarily mean Troy is affordable for every household. Individual costs depend on housing, taxes, health care needs and retirement income.

Troy has also appeared in other U.S. News rankings. The Free Press reported that the city placed 12th nationally on its Best Places to Live list, second among Michigan communities and seventh among the nation's best small cities.

Michigan's showing in the national rankings

Midland led Michigan and the nation, with U.S. News highlighting its affordability and retiree tax advantages.

Troy was next among Michigan cities, followed closely by Wyoming and Rochester Hills.

Other Michigan communities in the national top 100 included Niles at No. 36, Farmington Hills at No. 40, Bay City at No. 44, Livonia at No. 52 and Kalamazoo at No. 71.

The state's representation illustrates the different kinds of communities recognized in the rankings, from smaller cities to suburban employment centers.

For Troy, the No. 20 placement provides another national recognition of the city's amenities and living conditions, although the rankings represent U.S. News' assessment rather than a guarantee that a particular destination will meet every retiree's needs.

The complete rankings and methodology are available through U.S. News & World Report.