Florida continues to dominate as a retirement destination, with three of its cities—Orlando, Miami, and Tampa—ranking among the top places for retirees in the United States, according to a recent analysis by personal finance platform WalletHub. The study evaluated the 182 largest U.S. cities based on four equally weighted categories: affordability, activities, quality of life, and health care.
Orlando secured the second position overall, bolstered largely by the state's favorable tax environment and the city's strong affordability rankings. Florida's absence of state income, inheritance, and estate taxes allows retirees to retain a larger portion of their Social Security and other retirement incomes, a factor that contributed substantially to the high placement of Orlando, Miami, and Tampa. Orlando’s edge over Miami and Tampa in affordability was partly attributed to its access to relatively low-cost in-home health services and adult day care programs, according to WalletHub analyst Chip Lupo. The city also ranked well in health care, offering a range of specialized medical services, including geriatric hospitals and home health care facilities. Its inland location provides a more stable climate compared to other regions along Florida’s Gulf Coast, which are more vulnerable to hurricanes.
Scottsdale, Arizona, known for its mild weather and second-highest proportion of residents aged 65 and older, ranked fourth in the study despite a poor showing in affordability (114th). Casper, Wyoming, known for its low cost of living, came in fifth overall.
At the lower end of the ranking, California posted several cities deemed less favorable for retirement. Stockton, California, was ranked as the least desirable city in the study, while New York City was identified as the least affordable. WalletHub noted that many retirees live on fixed incomes with limited financial flexibility, which can affect their ability to choose more expensive urban areas. Cities such as Knoxville, Tennessee, and Columbia, South Carolina, were suggested as mid-range alternatives that might better balance cost and quality of life for older adults.
The study drew on data from the U.S. Census Bureau, the Bureau of Labor Statistics, and WalletHub’s own research to evaluate key factors shaping retirement decisions in different urban environments.