The 25 Best Places To Retire in America in 2023

Not everyone can retire like TV’s “Golden Girls,” moving in with a group of sarcastic and sassy buddies in a warm-weather climate. For some, staying close to family and friends is the most affordable and comforting choice.

But if moving is an option, there are pros and cons for senior living in each U.S. city.

For its latest annual analysis of retirement destinations, personal finance website WalletHub compared the “retiree-friendliness” of more than 180 U.S. cities based on 45 factors and then gave each city an overall score out of 100 points.

The analysis examined factors affecting affordability, quality of life, activities and health care.

To no one’s surprise, Florida cities scored high — but one of the nation’s most legendary cold-weather cities snagged the No. 14 spot, and another famously snowy zone landed at No. 7. Here’s a look at the top-ranked towns.

25. Pembroke Pines, Florida

This metropolitan area’s total score: 52.95 out of 100 possible points

Pembroke Pines, not far north of Miami, ranked No. 15 for quality of life in WalletHub’s study. The city of about 170,000 residents has “28 superior parks and lush landscaping throughout neighborhoods and public places,” and seven golf courses.

24. Madison, Wisconsin

This metropolitan area’s total score: 53.34 out of 100 possible points

Often thought of as a college town, Madison is actually a good retirement town, according to WalletHub. The city also ranked No. 8 for quality of life.

However, if travel in retirement is important to you, it might not be the best fit. The average airfare here is relatively high, as we noted in “The 10 Most Expensive U.S. Airports — and the 10 Cheapest.”

23. Cape Coral, Florida

This metropolitan area’s total score: 53.42 out of 100 possible points

This city on the Gulf Coast is a popular place for boating. It’s also particularly susceptible to flooding and one of the cities most at risk from climate change, according to Moody’s Analytics.

22. Missoula, Montana

This metropolitan area’s total score: 53.59 out of 100 possible points

Missoula ranks No. 3 on health care, and is well-situated for nature lovers. Glacier National Park lies a few hours north, with a gorgeous drive along the way. Yellowstone National Park is a bit further to the southeast. In practically every other direction lie national forests and wilderness areas.

21. Cheyenne, Wyoming

This metropolitan area’s total score: 53.64 out of 100 possible points

Cheyenne is one of the most affordable retirement cities in the country (No. 4), and that’s not the only reason you’ll be breathing easy here. It’s also among the 11 Places With the Cleanest Air in America.

19. San Diego (tie)

This metropolitan area’s total score: 53.91 out of 100 possible points

San Diego is half of the only tie in this list. This city at the southern end of California is, of course, known for its beaches and warm climate. It also took the No. 9 place for quality of life.

19. Columbia, South Carolina (tie)

This metropolitan area’s total score: 53.91 out of 100 possible points

The other half of the only tie on the list is the capital of South Carolina. Interestingly, it also scored No. 9 in one of WalletHub’s major categories — affordability.

18. Pittsburgh

This metropolitan area’s total score: 54.06 out of 100 possible points

This place is just the Pitts, and that’s a good thing. About 15% of the population are seniors, many of whom live alone. It’s a good place to retire early, all the better to enjoy the local rivers and the city’s many food festivals — including one devoted to pickles.

17. Boise, Idaho

This metropolitan area’s total score: 54.56 out of 100 possible points

Boise ranks No. 16 for quality of life and has been catching the eye of many folks. During the pandemic, the housing market was a wild ride, in part due to newly remote workers taking the opportunity to relocate here.

16. Tempe, Arizona

This metropolitan area’s total score: 54.67 out of 100 possible points

Like Madison, Tempe is a college town moonlighting as a retirement haven. It’s a great place for fishing, kayaking, hiking and biking — not to mention a lot of less-active activities such as food festivals, performances and museums.

15. Las Vegas

This metropolitan area’s total score: 54.75 out of 100 possible points

It will come as no surprise that Las Vegas is a place with lots to do, giving it the No. 7 ranking for activities in WalletHub’s list. Less expected is that once you step outside the Strip, “Sin City” can be a pretty low-key, relaxing place.

14. Minneapolis

This metropolitan area’s total score: 55.43 out of 100 possible points

Minneapolis has snowy winters, that’s a fact. But the lively City of Lakes has plenty to do in all weather, and it scored No. 9 in WalletHub’s activities analysis. The Minneapolis area is also a bike lover’s paradise.

13. Wilmington, Delaware

This metropolitan area’s total score: 55.66 out of 100 possible points

Wilmington is Delaware’s largest city, but don’t start picturing urban sprawl — just over 70,000 people live here. You may also find some tax relief here. Delaware recently made a WalletHub list of states with the lowest property tax rates.

12. St. Petersburg, Florida

This metropolitan area’s total score: 55.68 out of 100 possible points

There’s a lot of Florida on this list. St. Pete boasts 361 days of sunshine per year and an average temperature of 74 degrees. And if you want to spend some of those days out on the water, the city reeled in a first-place tie with four other cities for most fishing facilities per capita.

11. San Francisco

This metropolitan area’s total score: 55.74 out of 100 possible points

Longing to stay active in retirement? The City by the Bay was ranked No. 2 in the study for activities, only behind Washington, D.C. Let’s hope you saved up during your working years, however, as real estate site Redfin reports that the median home sale price here is $1.4 million.

10. Atlanta

This metropolitan area’s total score: 55.85 out of 100 possible points

Busy Atlanta enjoys a mild Southern climate as well as all the perks of a major city. It ranked as No. 8 in WalletHub’s analysis when it came to examining a city’s options for activities, which cover everything from bingo halls to art galleries. It ties for most museums per capita, against the likes of Washington, D.C., and two other cities.

9. Charleston, South Carolina

This metropolitan area’s total score: 55.93 out of 100 possible points

Charming Charleston is the oldest and second-largest city in South Carolina, with a history that goes back to 1670. It scored high for both activities and affordability, and was one of the five cities tying for most fishing facilities per capita. Just keeping it reel.

8. Cincinnati

This metropolitan area’s total score: 56.29 out of 100 possible points

Cincinnati might not be what you think of when you think of retirement havens. But the Ohio city scored high for activities, and it’s home to multiple major sports teams, such as football’s Bengals and baseball’s Reds. And since money is usually a concern in retirement, it’s good to know that Cincy made a Porch list of cities where your dollar goes the furthest.

7. Denver

This metropolitan area’s total score: 56.99 out of 100 possible points

Not all retirees are ready to retire from outdoor activities. For active seniors, there’s Denver, with its famous mountains, ready for skiing and climbing. And you might have many years to enjoy those sports, as Colorado recently turned up on a list of states where retirees have the longest lifespans.

6. Casper, Wyoming

This metropolitan area’s total score: 57.22 out of 100 possible points

Uncrowded Casper is home to fewer than 60,000 people, so you won’t lack for room to roam or to stretch out. It’s budget-friendly, too — coming in at No. 2 in WalletHub’s affordability category.

5. Miami

This metropolitan area’s total score: 57.47 out of 100 possible points

Miami combines the sunshine and mild weather of Florida with the lively activities of a big city. And for jetsetting types, it’s one of the best places for deals on travel.

4. Orlando, Florida

This metropolitan area’s total score: 58.09 out of 100 possible points

Your grandchildren will constantly be clamoring to visit if you retire to Orlando, the home of numerous theme parks, including Walt Disney World and Universal Orlando. The Orlando area also made the list of 15 cities building the most homes, meaning home prices should be going down.

3. Fort Lauderdale, Florida

This metropolitan area’s total score: 58.17 out of 100 possible points

Fort Lauderdale was famously “Where the Boys Are” in the 1960 film with that name. But its beaches and sunshine attract folks who are well past spring break age. That sunshine can get hot — no wonder that the city is No. 1 on LawnStarter’s list of the best cities in which to own a swimming pool.

2. Scottsdale, Arizona

This metropolitan area’s total score: 59.87 out of 100 possible points

You likely won’t be the only retiree on your block in Scottsdale. WalletHub found the city to be second on the list of cities with the highest percentage of residents who are 65 and older. It also landed at No. 4 for cities with mild weather. And property taxes are low, helping the city onto a SmartAsset list of the 10 best U.S. cities for an early retirement.

1. Tampa, Florida

This metropolitan area’s total score: 59.93 out of 100 possible points

Back to Florida again for rankings leader Tampa, a neighboring city to St. Petersburg. It’s considered one of the most underrated cities in the U.S., and also part of WalletHub’s five-city tie for most fishing facilities per capita.