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The 10 best and 10 worst cities for retirees in 2025

October 21, 2025

Abstract Aerial Art/Getty Images

  • WalletHub ranked 182 cities to find the best and worst ones for retirees in 2025.
  • Activities, affordability, healthcare, and quality of life were the key measurements in ranking.
  • Cities in Florida excelled, while ones in California struggled with high costs and weak healthcare.

When it’s time to retire, a lot of older adults migrate south for warmer climates, cheaper housing, and lower taxes.

While southern cities like Naples and Fort Lauderdale often dominate as destinations for retirees, the Midwest has emerged as a favorable landing spot — at least, according to WalletHub.

WalletHub looked at 182 cities and ranked the best places for retirees based on four key measures: activities, affordability, healthcare, and quality of life. Each of those four categories was weighted equally, however, other relevant metrics were used inside each category and weighted differently. For example, adjusted cost of living was weighted higher than annual cost of in-home services within the affordability category.

“Rounding out the top 10 are cities that balance affordability, access to quality care, and vibrant lifestyles,” WalletHub writer and analyst Chip Lupo told Business Insider. “These locales all tend to offer a mix of mild weather, strong local economies, and plenty of ways for retirees to stay active and connected.”

Unsurprisingly, Florida accounted for nearly half of the top 10 for best cities, while California took up more than half of the spots for the worst cities to retire in.

“On the flip side, the bottom 10 cities face challenges that make retirement less appealing. San Bernardino, California; Stockton, California; and Rancho Cucamonga, California, rank among the lowest because of their high costs of living and weaker healthcare access,” Lupo said.

Southern cities had a healthy showing in the top 10, but the Midwest also had a diverse selection of cities toward the top.

“Minneapolis, which ranks third, stands out for its strong healthcare system, active senior community, and welcoming job market for older adults,” Lupo said.

Here are the 10 best and 10 worst cities to retire in, according to WalletHub. Median listed home prices are from Realtor.com.

The 10 best cities for retirees
Fort Lauderdale, FL

THEPALMER/Getty Images

10. Casper, WY
A scenic view of mountains and water in Casper, Wyoming.
Casper, Wyoming.

Wirestock/Getty Images

Affordability rank: 1

Healthcare rank: 74

Median listing home price: $345,000

9. Madison, WI
The capitol building in Madison, Wisconsin.
Madison, Wisconsin.

RudyBalasko/Getty Images

Affordability rank: 107

Healthcare rank: 8

Median listing home price: $420,000

8. Cincinnati, OH
The Cincinnati skyline from the Ohio River.
Cincinnati, Ohio.

Flick Foto Studio/Getty Images

Affordability rank: 104

Healthcare rank: 50

Median listing home price: $295,000

7. Fort Lauderdale, FL
Aerial View of Fort Lauderdale, Florida.
Aerial View of Fort Lauderdale, Florida.

GabrielPevide/Getty Images

Affordability rank: 79

Healthcare rank: 47

Median listing home price: $599,000

6. Atlanta, GA
Atlanta, Georgia.
Atlanta, Georgia.

Sean Pavone/Shutterstock

Affordability rank: 66

Healthcare rank: 56

Median listing home price: $370,000

5. Tampa, FL
Tampa skyline
Tampa is among the Florida destinations booming with business travelers.

RudyBalasko/Getty Images

Affordability rank: 45

Healthcare rank: 106

Median listing home price: $469,900

4. Miami, FL
Miami, Florida.
Miami, Florida

Bilanol/Shutterstock

Affordability rank: 76

Healthcare rank: 26

Median listing home price: $625,000

3. Minneapolis, MN
Minneapolis, Minnesota.
Minneapolis, Minnesota.

Sean Pavone/Shutterstock

Affordability rank: 96

Healthcare rank: 13

Median listing home price: $329,000

2. Scottsdale, AZ
The desert in Scottsdale, Arizona.
Scottsdale, Arizona.

miroslav_1/Getty Images

Affordability rank: 116

Healthcare rank: 40

Median listing home price: $1,100,000

1. Orlando, FL
Orlando, Florida
Orlando, Florida

JillianCain/Getty Images

Affordability rank: 5

Healthcare rank: 14

Median listing home price: $385,000

The 10 worst cities for retirees
Near the river in Newark, New Jersey
Newark, New Jersey.

Sean Pavone/Getty Images/iStockphoto

10. Bridgeport, Connecticut
Downtown Bridgeport, Connecticut, at night.
Bridgeport, Connecticut

DenisTangneyJr/Getty Images

  • Affordability rank: 175
  • Healthcare rank: 11
  • Median listing home price: $360,000
9. Salem, Oregon
Salem, Oregon.
Salem, Oregon.

Sean Pavone/Shutterstock

  • Affordability rank: 127
  • Healthcare rank: 146
  • Median listing home price: $485,000
8. Pearl City, Hawaii
Train tracks in Pearl City, Hawaii.
Pearl City, Hawaii.

Kent Nishimura/Getty Images

  • Affordability rank: 180
  • Healthcare rank: 104
  • Median listing home price: $622,000
7. Fontana, California
A neighborhood in Fontana, California
Fontana, California.

MattGush/Getty Images/iStockphoto

  • Affordability rank: 172
  • Healthcare rank: 147
  • Median listing home price: $669,000
6. Fresno, California
Aerial view of Fresno, California.
Fresno, California.

Dee Liu/Getty Images

  • Affordability rank: 125
  • Healthcare rank: 144
  • Median listing home price: $410,000
5. Newark, New Jersey
Aerial view of Newark, New Jersey
Newark, New Jersey

Barry Winiker/Getty Images

  • Affordability rank: 156
  • Healthcare rank: 134
  • Median listing home price: $419,900
4. Bakersfield, California
The city of Bakersfield, California.
Bakersfield, California.

Dee Liu/Getty Images

  • Affordability rank: 113
  • Healthcare rank: 169
  • Median listing home price: $420,000
3. Rancho Cucamonga, California
Aerial view of suburbs in Rancho Cucamonga, California.
Rancho Cucamonga, California.

MattGush/Getty Images/iStockphoto

  • Affordability rank: 163
  • Healthcare rank: 128
  • Median listing home price: $799,000
2. Stockton, California
Aerial views of government buildings in Stockton, California.
Stockton, California.

halbergman/Getty Images

  • Affordability rank: 133
  • Healthcare rank: 157
  • Median listing home price: $454,900
1. San Bernardino, California
Aerial view of San Bernardino city.
San Bernardino, California.

Dee Liu/Getty Images

  • Affordability rank: 157
  • Healthcare rank: 174
  • Median listing home price: $515,000
Read the original article on Business Insider

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