By Sarah Roebuck
When it comes to retirement, where you choose to settle can make all the difference in your quality of life. From affordability and healthcare access to climate and recreational opportunities, certain cities and states offer more ideal conditions for retirees than others.
To help Americans find the best places to retire, WalletHub analyzed 182 cities, including the 150 largest U.S. cities and at least two major cities from each state. The comparison looked at four main factors: affordability, activities, quality of life and healthcare.
Top 10 cities for retirees:
- Orlando, Fla.
- Miami, Fla.
- Minneapolis, Minn.
- Tampa, Fla.
- Fort Lauderdale, Fla.
- Scottsdale, Ariz.
- Cincinnati, Ohio
- St. Petersburg, Fla.
- Casper, Wyo.
- Atlanta, Ga.
On the flip side, WalletHub ranked these as the 10 worst cities to retire:
- Fontana, Calif.
- Wichita, Kan.
- Bridgeport, Conn.
- Fresno, Calif.
- Detroit, Mich.
- Newark, N.J.
- Bakersfield, Calif.
- Rancho Cucamonga, Calif.
- Stockton, Calif.
- San Bernardino, Calif.
Closer look at the top 3 cities
Orlando
Orlando tops the list as the best place to retire, thanks to its tax-friendly policies—no state income, estate or inheritance taxes, according to WalletHub. While the cost of living isn’t the lowest, Orlando is among the most affordable for homemaker services and adult day healthcare.
Retirees can enjoy plenty of activities, with Orlando ranking second for recreation out of more than 180 cities, offering abundant music venues, fishing spots, art galleries and volunteer opportunities. Additionally, Orlando excels in healthcare, with a high number of gerontologists, home healthcare facilities and top-rated hospitals for geriatrics.
Miami
Miami ranks as the second-best place to retire, thanks to its wealth of activities for seniors, WalletHub says. It leads the nation in adult volunteer opportunities, art galleries and fishing spots, with plenty of museums and recreation centers.
Just like Orlando, Miami is also tax-friendly, with no income, estate or inheritance taxes— making it one of the most affordable cities for taxes. Additionally, it’s the fifth-most walkable city in the U.S., with quality public transportation easily accessible to most residents.
Minneapolis
Minneapolis ranks as the third-best place to retire due to its elderly-friendly job market, where over 22% of the workforce is 65 or older, according to WalletHub. This makes it a great option for retirees looking to stay active or earn extra income.
The city is also known for its supportive environment, ranking as the 29th-most caring city and home to the 6th-best hospital system. With plenty of nursing homes and gerontologists, plus one of the lowest senior suicide rates, Minneapolis offers both strong healthcare and mental well-being for retirees, WalletHub states.