The list, which graded 182 cities across the United States, named Orlando as the No. 1 place to live during your golden years. Three other Florida cities: Fort Lauderdale, Tampa and Miami, also made the top 10.
Ranking methodology by the personal finance company compared cities retiree-friendliness and also took the following factors into account:
Cost of living
Tax laws
Quality of life
Activities available
Heath care quality
According to WalletHub analyst Chip Lupo, it’s important to choose wisely when picking where to retire, as many retirees are on a fixed income.
"As a result, the best cities for retired people are those that minimize taxes and expenses, as well as have good opportunities for retirees to continue paid work for extra income, if they choose to do so," Lupo said. "The top cities provide high-quality health care and offer plenty of enjoyable activities for retirees.”
Warm winters. Coasts lined with beaches. Plenty of airports.
Orlando ranks No. 1 on the list of more than 180 cities living up to its reputation "as a haven for seniors."
There's no income tax, no estate or inheritance taxes and, according to the rankings, it's the 20th cheapest for adult day health care . It also has the 11th best hospitals for geriatrics and ranks No. 1 when comes to home health care facilities per capital.
When it comes to recreation , it's the second best city for fishing facilities, art galleries and adult volunteer activities.
General overall view of the downtown Orlando skyline and Amway Center. According to a 2024 WalletHub analysis, the city ranks No. 1 on its 2024 list of best places to retire. Kirby Lee/USA TODAY Sports
The Magic City falls right behind Orlando as the nation's second-best place for retirees to live.
Reasons, WalletHub reported, include:
It has the 11th most recreation and senior centers;
It has the fifth most museums;
It's the fifth most walkable city, and most residents have access to public transportation not far from home.
It has no income tax, estate or inheritance taxes, and it ranks among the cheapest cities for taxes in general.
Aerial view of palm trees framing the city skyline in Miami, Florida. According to a 2024 WalletHub analysis, the city ranks No. 2 on its 2024 list of best places to retire. Joe Raedle, Getty Images
No. 3: Minneapolis
Minneapolis places third in the rankings with one of the most "elderly-friendly labor markets in the country," according to WalletHub, which means it has a large percentage of easy-to-perform jobs for seniors who continue to work for extra income or to keep busy.
The city also has the sixth best hospital system, a high number of nursing homes and gerontologists, and ranks as the 29th most caring city .
view of the downtown Minneapolis skyline. According to a 2024 WalletHub analysis, the city ranks No. 3 on its 2024 list of best places to retire. Kirby Lee, Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
More of the best places to retire
No. 4: Tampa, Florida
No. 5: Fort Lauderdale, Florida
No. 6: Scottsdale, Arizona
No. 7: Cincinnati, Ohio
No. 8: St. Petersburg, Florida
No. 9: Casper, Wyoming
No 10: Atlanta, Georgia
Cities lower on the list of best places to retire
The last three places on the list of 182 are:
No. 180: San Bernardino, California
No. 181: Stockton, California
No. 182: Rancho Cucamonga, California
Natalie Neysa Alund is a senior reporter for USA TODAY. Reach her at nalund@usatoday.com and follow her on X @nataliealund.
Avoid cities. If you're retired, there's no good reason to live in, or even near, a large city. Except for, perhaps, close proximity to good hospitals. Screw Times Swuare; I'll take fresh air. And low crime rates.
Jeff Longhurst
09-05
Well Minnesota taxes social security so maybe that’s a consideration.
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