Choosing the right place to spend your golden years isn’t as simple as picking a spot on the map. There’s something bigger at play here. According to a new WalletHub survey, 50% of people don’t think it’s realistic for the average American to retire comfortably. Let’s be real, that’s a sobering statistic.
The landscape of retirement in America is shifting. In 2024, 258,000 Americans relocated for retirement, a steep 23.8% drop from 2023. Rising mortgage rates and high home prices likely played a big role. In 2024, mortgage rates climbed to 7% while the average home price reached over $500,000, making it harder for retirees to sell and afford new homes. The question now is, where do you go when you can’t afford to stay put?
Orlando Takes the Crown
Here’s something that might surprise you. Orlando tops the list thanks to its tax-friendly environment and wide range of activities. Orlando, Florida, is ranked as the number one city for retirees, with one of the main reasons being how tax-friendly it is. Orlando is also the ninth-cheapest city for homemaker services and the 20th-cheapest for adult day health care compared to other cities in WalletHub’s report.
What makes Orlando stand out isn’t just the theme parks. Orlando offers a variety of recreational activities for retirees, ranking as the third-best city for recreation overall, with many music venues, fishing facilities, art galleries, and adult volunteer activities. Meanwhile, Orlando has the sixth-highest for home health care facilities per capita and has the seventh-best hospitals for older people. It’s hard to argue with that combination of affordability and quality care.
Naples Brings Sunshine and Happiness
Retirees noted overall happiness of a place’s residents as the top consideration when determining a place to retire this year, helping Naples, Florida, secure the No. 1 rank. Naples also scored high in desirability, retiree taxes, and the job market. There’s something about coastal living that just works, especially when you’re no longer chained to a desk.
Miami lands in the top four thanks to its mix of cultural vibrancy and retiree-friendly amenities. It’s among the best in the country for recreational offerings, including art, dining, and outdoor activities. The healthcare network is strong, with numerous hospitals and senior services. While Miami’s cost of living isn’t the lowest, the city’s climate and lifestyle make it a top choice. Sometimes you pay more because the place genuinely delivers.
Scottsdale Offers Desert Charm
Scottsdale secures the second spot, offering retirees abundant leisure opportunities. It ranks among the very best for art galleries, volunteer activities, golf courses, and book clubs. Its mild desert climate also ranks near the top nationwide for weather, providing year-round comfort. If you’ve always dreamed of waking up to mountain views and clear blue skies, this is your ticket.
Scottsdale, Arizona, ranked second on WalletHub’s list. It ranks near the top of U.S. cities for adult volunteer activities, art galleries, and public and municipal golf courses per capita, and it has the 55th-most museums and 15th-most book clubs per capita. The area is also tax-friendly with no estate or inheritance taxes and no income taxes. According to WalletHub, the city also ranks fourth in the nation for mild weather, and second among the most caring cities – offering residents a welcoming community and year-round comfort. No state income tax? That’s a bonus you’ll feel in your wallet every single month.
Tampa Delivers Affordability with Gulf Vibes
Tampa provides retirees with a relatively affordable option compared to Miami, while still delivering on leisure and comfort. It had strong scores for recreation, with solid access to outdoor activities, cultural events, and community centers. The city also benefits from Florida’s favorable tax environment for retirees. You get Gulf Coast beauty without the Miami price tag.
Florida ranks as the best state to retire in for the second year in a row. Like last year, Florida tops the list due to its relatively low taxes for retirees, including no estate, inheritance, or income taxes. These aren’t small savings we’re talking about. Over the course of a twenty or thirty-year retirement, avoiding state income tax can mean the difference between struggling and thriving.
The Villages and Other Inland Gems
Located about an hour north of Orlando, The Villages is consistently one of the best-selling communities, retirement or otherwise, in the country. The Villages is home to more than 150,000 people, has more than 700 holes of golf, 200 pickleball courts, 100 recreation centers, 100 swimming pools, more than 3,000 clubs and organizations residents can participate in, an “enrichment academy” to support lifelong learning, more than 100 restaurants, a wide range of shops, grocery stores, and medical offices, free live entertainment on a nightly basis, and to top it off, nearly everything is golf cart accessible.
Ocala earns the top spot on our list for 2025. The Ocala area represents a unique combination of history, horses, and culture that is surrounded by some of the most beautiful natural environments you will find anywhere. Located about halfway between Gainesville and Orlando, Florida, Ocala is one of the less expensive options for Florida retirement. So, retirees on fixed incomes can make their retirement dollars stretch a bit further. The city is located in the middle of the state, so the area doesn’t experience the dangerous hurricanes that threaten much of Florida’s coastline. And that translates to lower home insurance costs.
Final Thoughts on Making the Move
Here’s the thing. Retirement location isn’t just about weather and taxes. Among all retirees who moved to a new state, Florida remained the most popular, attracting 20% of this demographic. Minnesota sits at a very distant second, attracting 7.1% of all retirees who moved across state lines. Minnesota ranked second, attracting 7.1% of retirees who moved to a new state, followed by Virginia (6.7%) and North Carolina (5.7%).
Whether you choose Orlando for its recreation and healthcare, Naples for its happiness factor, Scottsdale for desert beauty, or one of the smaller Florida towns for affordability, the decision comes down to what matters most to you. Do you need world-class medical facilities nearby? Are you willing to risk hurricane season for year-round sunshine? Can you live without state income tax?
The retirement landscape is changing, costs are climbing, and more people are looking beyond the traditional Sunbelt states. Florida still dominates the rankings, especially when it comes to cities that balance lifestyle with affordability. Yet Massachusetts, North Carolina, and other unexpected places are emerging as serious contenders. What worked for your parents’ generation might not be the best path for yours. So where will you go when you retire? Did you expect Massachusetts to outpace Florida for some retirees? What would you have guessed?
<p>The post Florida or Bust: The Top U.S. Retirement Cities for 2025 and Beyond first appeared on Travelbinger.</p>