Florida cities sweep top retirement spots

Florida cities crowded the top of WalletHub’s 2026 list of the nation’s best places to retire, placing four cities in the top 10, seven in the top 25 and eight in the top 31.

Orlando, Miami and Tampa claimed the first three spots, while Fort Lauderdale came in at No. 8. Florida placed more cities in the top 25 than any other state in the WalletHub analysis.

“The best cities for retired people are those that minimize taxes and expenses,” WalletHub analyst Chip Lupo said. Health care, opportunities to work and recreational choices also matter, he said.

Florida’s showing

All 11 Florida cities included in the study finished within the top 100:

• Top 10: Orlando, No. 1; Miami, No. 2; Tampa, No. 3; and Fort Lauderdale, No. 8.
• Nos. 11-25: Cape Coral, No. 13; St. Petersburg, No. 16; and Pembroke Pines, No. 22.
• Nos. 26-60: Hialeah, No. 31; Jacksonville, No. 37; and Tallahassee, No. 56.
• Top 100: Port St. Lucie, No. 95.

The cities didn’t follow a single path to the top. Orlando ranked second nationally for affordability and 11th for health care, while Miami placed sixth for activities. Tampa came in 10th for activities and 34th for quality of life.

Affordability helped several other Florida cities. Tallahassee placed eighth in that category, Jacksonville ninth and Cape Coral 14th. WalletHub pointed to Florida’s lack of an individual income tax or state estate or inheritance tax as one advantage for retirees.

The state also performed well on measures tied to an active retirement. St. Petersburg and Fort Lauderdale tied for the most fishing facilities per capita. Miami stood out for adult volunteer activities, art galleries and fishing facilities, while Tampa ranked fifth nationally for recreation.

Cape Coral had the nation’s third-highest share of residents age 65 and older, and Port St. Lucie placed fifth. Port St. Lucie’s overall ranking was pulled down by its lower scores for activities, including museums and recreation and senior centers.

Lian An, an economics and geography professor at the University of North Florida and WalletHub expert panelist, said retirees should consider “cost of living and price levels” as well as “state and local taxes.” Health care, transportation, climate and proximity to family should also factor into the decision, An said.

WalletHub compared 182 cities using 45 measures divided among affordability, activities, quality of life and health care. The rankings cover each city proper rather than its wider metro area.

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