The Best and Worst Cities for Retirees in 2025

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 the 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 towards 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.