Big cities can offer many amenities for retirees: Public transportation, plenty of doctors and lots of things to see and do. The right small towns are packed with enough amenities to make them equally desirable for retirement as big cities. Plus, small towns offer the peace and quiet that some retirees crave.

We pinpointed the best places to retire in every state, taking into account living costs, safety, median incomes and poverty rates for retirement-age residents, as well as residents sense of well-being and the availability of recreational and health care facilities. Of our 50 retirement picks, these seven small towns have populations under 100,000. Take a look at our top picks for a small-town retirement.

Niantic, Conn.

LeanneMarie1215 via Flickr

Population: 3,042

Share of population 65+: 29.5% (U.S.: 14.5%)

Cost of Living: 24.7% above the national average*

Average Income for Households 65+: n/a

State's Tax Rating for Retirees: Least Tax