If you’re searching for the best places to retire in US, 2026 brings a fresh set of rankings, tax changes, and migration trends worth knowing before you pack a single box. Orlando, Florida tops WalletHub’s newest city rankings, while Wyoming has pushed past Florida as the top-ranked state, according to CareScout and WalletHub data. But rankings only tell half the story. This guide walks through the top cities, the top states, the cheapest towns, and the hidden costs — like insurance and healthcare access — that often get left out of typical Best Places to Retire in US lists.
Nearly 61.2 million Americans are now age 65 or older, making up 18% of the population, and retirement is now the third-biggest reason people move across state lines. With that many people searching for answers, it’s worth cutting through the noise and looking at real data: affordability, taxes, healthcare, safety, and where retirees are actually moving — not just where lists say they should.
Top 10 Best Places to Retire in US 2026
According to WalletHub’s 2026 rankings of 182 U.S. cities across 45 metrics, Florida cities dominate the top of the list, but a few surprises break up the pattern.
| Rank | City | State | Total Score | Affordability Rank | Healthcare Rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Orlando | FL | 63.38 | 2 | 11 |
| 2 | Miami | FL | 59.40 | 54 | 29 |
| 3 | Tampa | FL | 59.29 | 41 | 89 |
| 4 | Scottsdale | AZ | 58.87 | 114 | 35 |
| 5 | Casper | WY | 58.79 | 3 | 65 |
| 6 | Atlanta | GA | 58.73 | 56 | 52 |
| 7 | Minneapolis | MN | 57.92 | 97 | 20 |
| 8 | Fort Lauderdale | FL | 57.92 | 75 | 41 |
| 9 | Charleston | SC | 57.54 | 29 | 59 |
| 10 | Pittsburgh | PA | 56.58 | 112 | 7 |
#1 Orlando, Florida
Orlando lands at the top thanks to a strong affordability score, plenty of recreational activities, and a warm climate that draws retirees year-round. It’s one of the more balanced entries among the best places to retire in US, scoring well across nearly every category.
#2 Miami, Florida
Miami offers big-city amenities, a large retiree community, and easy access to healthcare, though affordability drags its overall ranking down compared to smaller Florida cities.
#3 Tampa, Florida
Tampa combines coastal living with a lower cost of living than Miami, making it a popular pick for retirees who want beach access without the priciest housing market.
#4 Scottsdale, Arizona
Scottsdale ranks #1 in the country for quality of life, with desert scenery, golf courses, and a strong senior community — though it’s one of the pricier entries on this list.
#5 Casper, Wyoming
Casper benefits from Wyoming’s no-income-tax status and low property taxes, giving it one of the best affordability scores of any city in the rankings.
#6–10: Atlanta, Minneapolis, Fort Lauderdale, Charleston, Pittsburgh
Rounding out the top 10, these cities offer a mix of strong healthcare systems (Pittsburgh ranks #7 nationally for healthcare), cultural amenities, and reasonable costs, proving that the best places to retire in US aren’t limited to warm-weather states.
Best States to Retire in 2026
Best Places to Retire in US comes to full states rather than individual cities, Wyoming has overtaken Florida for the first time among the best places to retire in US, according to CareScout and WalletHub.
- Wyoming – No state income tax, low property taxes, and strong quality-of-life scores make it the new top state.
- Florida – Still a favorite for its climate and tax benefits, despite rising insurance costs.
- South Dakota – No income tax and a low overall cost of living.
- Texas – Large, affordable, and tax-friendly, especially in smaller cities.
- Tennessee – No income tax and a growing retiree population in cities like Knoxville.
Cheapest Places to Retire in the US
For retirees watching every dollar, Texas dominates the list of the cheapest best places to retire in US, with seven of the top ten spots.
| Rank | City | State | Median Home Price | Cost of Living vs. National Avg |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Eagle Pass | TX | ~$150,000 | 17.8% below |
| 2 | Amarillo | TX | ~$180,000 | 18% below |
| 3 | Bay City | MI | ~$140,000 | 20% below |
| 4 | Brownsville | TX | ~$160,000 | 14% below |
| 5 | Oklahoma City | OK | ~$190,000 | 12% below |
| 6 | Knoxville | TN | ~$280,000 | 8% below |
| 7 | Des Moines | IA | ~$220,000 | 10% below |
| 8 | Midland | MI | ~$200,000 | 15% below |
| 9 | Roswell | NM | $152,500 | 25% below |
| 10 | Saginaw | MI | ~$130,000 | 22% below |
Mississippi holds the lowest overall cost of living index in the country at 86.2, meaning everyday expenses run well below the national average, which is why it shows up so often in searches for affordable places to retire in the US.
What Makes a Place Good for Retirement?
Choosing among the best places to retire in US usually comes down to six core factors that show up in nearly every credible ranking.
Affordability and cost of living. Housing, groceries, utilities, and insurance all factor into how far your retirement savings will stretch. This is the single most searched-for factor among people comparing the best places to retire in US.
Tax friendliness. States that skip income tax, or that exempt Social Security and pension income, let retirees keep more of their monthly budget.
Healthcare access and quality. Medicare Advantage ratings, hospital proximity, and specialist availability matter more as retirees age, yet this is one of the least detailed factors in most rankings.
Climate and weather. Some retirees want year-round warmth; others prefer four distinct seasons without extreme heat or hurricane risk.
Safety and crime rates. Elder fraud, fall-related deaths, and senior-involved accidents are increasingly tracked metrics — property crime involving seniors has climbed 62% since 2015.
Quality of life and amenities. Walkability, recreation, and community engagement round out the picture, especially for retirees planning to age in place.
9 States with No Income Tax for Retirees
Nine states currently charge no personal income tax, which is a major draw for anyone comparing the best places to retire in US on a fixed budget:
- Alaska
- Florida
- Nevada
- New Hampshire
- South Dakota
- Tennessee
- Texas
- Washington
- Wyoming
| State | Social Security Tax | Pension Tax | Sales Tax | Avg. Property Tax |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alaska | No | No | None | 1.19% |
| Florida | No | No | 6% | 0.83% |
| Nevada | No | No | 6.85% | 0.53% |
| New Hampshire | No | No | None | 1.47% |
| South Dakota | No | No | 4.5% | 1.22% |
| Tennessee | No | No | 7% | 0.64% |
| Texas | No | No | 6.25% | 1.60% |
| Washington | No | No | 6.5% | 0.93% |
| Wyoming | No | No | 4% | 0.61% |
8 States That Still Tax Social Security
As of 2026, only eight states still tax Social Security benefits, down from nine after West Virginia fully phased out its tax this year:
- Colorado
- Connecticut
- Minnesota
- Montana
- New Mexico
- Rhode Island
- Utah
- Vermont
Most of these states offer partial exemptions based on age or income, so it’s worth checking the specific rules before crossing a state off your list of possible retirement destinations. Even states that tax Social Security can still rank among the best places to retire in US once healthcare quality and cost of living are factored in.
Where Are Retirees Actually Moving in 2026?
Rankings and reality don’t always match. A 2026 study by Zoe Financial found that several best places to retire in US cities — including Sioux Falls, Fargo, Casper, Pittsburgh, and Des Moines — are actually losing residents age 60 and older, even though they score well on paper. Meanwhile, smaller towns like Palm Coast, Florida and Ridgeland, South Carolina are gaining retirees rapidly.
| Top Inbound States | % Inbound | Top Outbound States | % Outbound |
|---|---|---|---|
| Oregon | 65% | New Jersey | 62% |
| West Virginia | 62% | New York | 58% |
| South Carolina | 61% | California | 58% |
| Delaware | 60% | North Dakota | 56% |
| North Carolina | 58% | Colorado | 55% |
This gap matters because it shows that some of the best places to retire in US, according to published rankings, aren’t necessarily where people are choosing to settle once cost of living, family proximity, and lifestyle fit are factored in.
How Much Money Do You Need to Retire Comfortably?
The answer depends heavily on location. According to 2026 estimates, a retired couple needs roughly:
- $47,978 per year in Texas
- $55,206 per year in Florida
- $58,052 per year in Arizona
For context, the average Social Security check runs about $2,000 a month, or $24,000 a year — meaning most retirees will need additional savings, a pension, or part-time income to comfortably cover expenses in even the more affordable states.
Best Places to Retire on a Fixed Income
For retirees relying mostly on Social Security, the best places to retire in US tend to be smaller cities with median home prices under $200,000, including Eagle Pass, Texas; Roswell, New Mexico; and Midland, Michigan. Several Southwest towns allow couples to live comfortably on roughly $1,500 a month once housing is paid off, and many budget-conscious retirees can keep total monthly expenses under $4,000 by choosing these lower-cost markets.
Safest States and Cities for Seniors
New Jersey ranks as the safest state for best places to retire in US 2026, according to CareScout, based on low fall-death rates, fewer senior-involved car accidents, lower elder fraud rates, and strong police presence. That said, safety concerns for seniors are rising nationally — property crime involving people 65 and older reached 769.8 incidents per 100,000 seniors in 2025, up from 473.7 a decade earlier, while violent crime against seniors nearly quadrupled over the same period.
Healthcare Quality by State for Retirees
Healthcare access is one of the most important — and most under-explained — factors in choosing among the best places to retire in US. Medicare Advantage satisfaction has declined for a second straight year, according to J.D. Power’s 2026 study, though Blue Cross Blue Shield of Tennessee leads the pack with a satisfaction score of 690 out of 1,000. Medicare Advantage plan availability and star ratings vary significantly by state and even by ZIP code, so it’s worth checking CMS ratings and confirming that local providers accept your specific plan before finalizing a move.
Florida vs. Texas vs. Arizona: Retirement Cost Comparison
These three states consistently rank among the best places to retire in US, but their cost structures look very different once insurance and taxes are factored in.
| Category | Florida | Texas | Arizona |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cost of Living Index | 100.7 | 90.7 | 107.6 |
| Avg. Homeowners Insurance ($300k home) | $8,471/yr | $4,582/yr | $2,397/yr |
| Property Tax Rate | 0.83% | 1.60% | 0.62% |
| State Income Tax | None | None | 2.5%–4.5% |
| Comfortable Yearly Cost (Couple) | $55,206 | $47,978 | $58,052 |
Florida’s homeowners insurance costs are the highest in the nation — roughly triple Arizona’s average — which is a significant hidden expense that rarely gets mentioned alongside Florida’s no-income-tax appeal. It’s a good reminder that comparing the best places to retire in US requires looking at total cost, not just headline tax rates.
Common Mistakes When Choosing a Retirement Location
- Focusing only on amenities like golf courses or beaches while ignoring day-to-day needs such as grocery access and healthcare.
- Ignoring healthcare access by moving somewhere affordable without checking hospital quality or Medicare acceptance.
- Underestimating insurance costs, especially homeowners insurance in hurricane-prone states.
- Moving without testing the area first instead of renting for a season or two.
- Choosing based on taxes alone, without weighing property taxes, sales taxes, or overall cost of living.
Expert Tips for Picking Your Retirement Spot
- Create a weighted checklist. Rank your top priorities — cost, healthcare, climate, family, lifestyle — and score each location from 1 to 5.
- Rent before you buy. Spend three to six months in a location across different seasons before committing.
- Calculate true monthly costs. Add up housing, insurance, taxes, healthcare, groceries, and transportation, not just the mortgage.
- Verify healthcare quality. Check CMS Medicare Advantage star ratings and confirm specialist availability nearby.
- Assess climate risk. Review FEMA flood maps and historical hurricane or wildfire data before settling on any of the best places to retire in US.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the #1 best place to retire in the US in 2026? Orlando, Florida ranks #1 among cities according to WalletHub’s 2026 rankings, while Wyoming ranks #1 among states for affordability, healthcare, and overall quality of life.
What is the cheapest state to retire in? Mississippi has the lowest cost of living index in the country at 86.2, followed by Arkansas, Oklahoma, and West Virginia. Among cities, Eagle Pass, Texas ranks as the cheapest place to retire.
Which states do not tax Social Security? Forty-two states exempt Social Security from state taxes. Only eight states still tax it in 2026: Colorado, Connecticut, Minnesota, Montana, New Mexico, Rhode Island, Utah, and Vermont.
Where are most retirees moving in 2026? Top inbound states include Oregon, West Virginia, South Carolina, Delaware, and North Carolina, while New Jersey, New York, and California see the most retirees leaving.
What is the safest state for seniors? New Jersey ranks as the safest state to retire based on low fall-death rates, fewer senior car accidents, and lower elder fraud rates.
How much do I need to retire comfortably? Estimates for a retired couple range from about $47,978 a year in Texas to $58,052 a year in Arizona, depending on housing, insurance, and local cost of living.
Is Florida still a good place to retire? Yes — Florida remains one of the best places to retire in US thanks to its lack of state income tax and warm climate, though rising homeowners insurance costs (averaging $8,471 a year) are a real drawback to factor in.
What factors matter most when choosing where to retire? Cost of living, tax friendliness, healthcare access, climate, safety, and proximity to family consistently top the list of factors that matter most.
Conclusion
There’s no single answer to where you should retire — the best places to retire in US depend on your budget, health needs, and lifestyle priorities. Florida, Texas, and Wyoming lead most 2026 rankings for good reason, but smaller towns in Texas, New Mexico, and Michigan often deliver better value for retirees on a fixed income. Before making a final decision, look past the rankings: check actual migration data, calculate your real monthly costs, verify healthcare access, and — whenever possible — spend real time in a place before you commit to it. Doing that homework upfront is what turns a Best Places to Retire in US on a list into the right place for you.