Best Places To Retire In Florida

So, you have worked tirelessly up until this point and are finally ready to retire. You’re looking to spend your golden years somewhere beautiful, warm and sunny, so you’ve decided to look into buying a house in Florida. After all, what better place to spend your leisure time than the Sunshine State? With so many options in Florida, you might have some trouble deciding where to settle, so we’ve compiled a list that ranks the best places to retire in Florida to help you out.

Should You Retire In Florida?

When deciding where to retire, it’s important to consider the cost of living, crime rates and the overall quality of living. Florida does not tax Social Security benefits or retirement plans, so many retirees find that fact incredibly appealing. However, deciding where to live is always based on what is important to you.

You might want to consider that while Florida is warm and sunny almost year-round, it does see annual hurricane activity; however, every region is prone to some sort of natural disaster. You just need to determine what you’re willing to prepare for based upon your preferences.

Hurricanes aside, Florida is known for its resorts, beaches, golf courses and year-round sunny skies, so if you want to spend your retirement skiing instead of boating, Florida might not be the place for you.

10 Best Places To Retire In Florida

Our ratings are based on the factors that are most important to retirees, including population, housing cost to income ratio, percentage of those 65+ and an array of other metrics (see our methodology at the end). All these cities offer different amenities, so be sure to do extensive research before you decide. While our list is ranked based on metrics, the subjective factors like the city’s night life, whether it’s a leisure town or active city and other variables may make our number 1 your number 10, so carefully consider every aspect of a place before you make the move.

1. Palm Beach

• Population: 8,776
• Median yearly retirement income: $152,614
• Median home sold price: $1,990,000
• Median monthly rent: $1,724
• Percent of those age 65+: 63%

Starting out strong with the first-place spot is the small town of Palm Beach. With a population of about 8,800, more than 60% of the people who live on the island are 65 years old or older. Palm Beach is in south Florida, separated from the mainland by Lake Worth Lagoon. It’s home to the shopping strip Worth Avenue, a well-known destination featuring an array of luxury boutiques, fine dining and distinctive hotels – all just blocks away from the Atlantic Ocean. Palm Beach is small, but it offers seemingly endless activities and attractions.

Spend your days relaxing at luxury golf courses lining the Atlantic Ocean or learning about sea creatures at Loggerhead Marinelife Center. Maybe you’d enjoy a hands-on experience feeding giraffes at the Lion Country Safari or taking a ride at Rapids Water Park. Whatever you have decided to spend your time doing after retirement, Palm Beach has you covered.

If you envision your retirement as a forever vacation, it just might be the place for you. Palm Beach is a safe city with a violent crime index of just 8.4, and a property crime index of 25.4. The U.S. average for violent crime is 22.7 and 22.6 for property crime.

If you would like to make Palm Beach your retirement home destination, you should check out the homes for sale and housing market trends.

2. Venice

• Population: 23,572
• Median yearly retirement income: $58,805
• Median home sold price: $430,473
• Median monthly rent: $1,275
• Percent of those age 65+: 61%

Venice is a city on Florida's Gulf Coast. Known mostly for the 14 miles of sandy beaches the city offers, Venice Beach and Caspersen Beach are the most famous. 61% of residents are 65+, an indicator that retirees love what Venice has to offer. The city is perfect for someone who wants to spend their retirement basking in the sun, fishing, boating or searching the pristine white sand for shark teeth.

Spend your leisure time kayaking the city’s canals or sinking a few at one of the many golf resorts the city has to offer. You can also enjoy the greenery by hiking one of the multi-use trails in Venetian Waterway Park, or by birdwatching at Oscar Scherer State Park, home to the Florida scrub-jays.

If you like Spanish-style homes, beaches, beautiful scenery and a town with rich history, you should consider looking at homes for sale in Venice. Before you make the decision to buy, make sure you check out Venice’s housing market trends to determine how much you can afford. 

3. Marco Island

• Population: 17,963
• Median yearly retirement income: $81,085
• Median home sold price: $580,000
• Median monthly rent: $1,507
• Percent of those age 65+: 57.1%

Marco Island is a beautiful location in the Gulf of Mexico, just off southwest Florida. It’s connected to the mainland by bridges south of Naples. Marco Island is a popular destination for snowbirds hoping to get away from cold northern winters, and for good reason. It is breathtakingly gorgeous, as it is home to many natural preserves and white-sand beaches. Living in one of the vacation-style, ocean-front homes would make retiring in Marco Island feel like living in paradise.

If you choose to move there after retirement, you might enjoy visiting the Venice Art Center to see the latest exhibitions or enjoy an evening of live jazz. You might also enjoy visiting one of the island’s natural preserves or beaches to admire the beauty Florida has to offer.

Although the cost of living in Marco Island is expensive, 43.9% of residents have retirement income. The island also has the lowest violent and property crime index on our list at 7.4 and 16 respectively, much lower than the U.S. averages.

If you have always wanted to live in paradise, you might want to consider looking at homes for sale in Marco Island. To check the status of the housing market and more, also consider checking out Marco Island housing market trends.

4. Lady Lake

• Population: 15,695
• Median yearly retirement income: $39,668
• Median home sold price: $303,000
• Median monthly rent: $1,056
• Percent of those age 65+: 51.6%

Lady Lake is a small town in Lake County. With a housing cost to income ratio of only 28.6, the town is on the lower end of the expense spectrum. If you prefer a smaller city with a tight-knit community, this town will be a great fit for you. It does not directly boarder an ocean, meaning it lacks the beaches the other options offer, but it is quiet, safe and more affordable. Lady Lake does have a violent crime rate index of 14.8, which is the highest on our list but low in comparison to the U.S. average. The property crime rate sits at 24.3, which is slightly higher than the national average, but the 14th best ranking in the entire state of Florida.

Lady Lake is home to Lake Griffin State Park, a pleasant place to explore if you enjoy camping, fishing and boating. It’s also home to Spanish Springs Town Square, a lively area with dancing, live music and exquisite restaurants. Over half of the town’s population is 65 years old or above, with 41.6% of its residents receiving retirement income.

If you see yourself spending your retired years at home, relaxing in a hammock and soaking up the Florida sunshine, you should look into homes for sale in Lady Lake. Also be sure to look at Lady Lake housing market trends to determine if now is a good time to purchase a property.

5. North Port

• Population: 68,779
• Median yearly retirement income: $53,802
• Median home sold price: $383,750
• Median monthly rent: $1,248
• Percent of those age 65+: 27.2%

Located in Sarasota County between Tampa and Fort Myers, North Port is split by the Myakka River. The city is just a 12-mile drive from the Gulf of Mexico, giving you access to all the beautiful beaches along the coast. North Port is home to 26 parks and open spaces, including one of the nation’s oldest, Myakka River State Park, a perfect spot for camping, hiking, fishing, kayaking and canoeing.

North Port is the largest city in our top 10 with a population close to 69,000, giving you small-town vibes with a little more space. It is a safe place to live with a violent crime index of just 11.3, and a property crime rate of 23.3.

If you’re looking for a quiet, relaxing retirement, you might want to call North Port home. If you are interested, there are currently several hundred homes for sale. You can also track housing data if you look at the North Port housing market trends.

6. Palmer Ranch

• Population: 13,802
• Median yearly retirement income: $99,911
• Median home sold price: $495,000
• Median monthly rent: $1,685
• Percent of those age 65+: 52.8%

 Palmer Ranch is a beautiful planned community in Sarasota County, located on the state’s east coast. It is a Census Designated Place (CDP), meaning it’s a well-known, unincorporated community. The community is conveniently located near a host of activities, including fine dining, breathtaking beaches along the Gulf of Mexico, nature preserves and lively downtown Sarasota.

Palmer Ranch is a safe location to live with a crime rate of only 9.9, the 20th best in the state of Florida. Unfortunately, it does have a 40.9 property crime rate which is one of the highest in the state, so it’s important to keep your home secure to deter unwanted guests. Overall, this community is quiet, high-end and gorgeous.

Palmer Ranch is home to 13,802 people and 52.8% are aged 65 or above. There are four senior living facilities in the area, but Palmer Ranch is home to an array of lovely real estate.  From condos to villas, Palmer Ranch is populated with homes for sale. It’s currently a seller’s market, meaning the cost of homes is higher than usual; however, the market is always changing. If you’re interested in buying a home in Palmer Ranch, it’s important to check out Palmer Ranch housing market trends beforehand.    

7. On Top Of The World, Clearwater

• Population: 10,916
• Median yearly retirement income: $44,778
• Median home sold price: $186,750
• Median monthly rent: $980
• Percent of those age 65+: 84.4%

On Top of the World, Clearwater, has an array of amenities for residents. This CDP is an award-winning retirement community for people aged 55 or above. It has secure entrances, a fitness and spa center and weekly entertainment at the town square. On Top of the World has a population of close to 11,000 people, and 84.4% are aged 65 or above. It is ranked number 1 in the state for percentage of residents with retirement income at 70.5%.

Maybe it’s due to the amazing amenities, or the unbeatably low housing prices (the lowest on our list, in fact), but retirees love this location in Clearwater. Regarding safety, On Top of the World has the 33rd best violent crime rate in Florida hovering at 11.8. It has a property crime rate of 28.1, ranking it 27th in all of Florida.

Undoubtably, On Top of the World is on top of the list of best places to retire in Florida on a budget. It’s a quiet, laid-back community with fun things to do for all residents. It does not border an ocean, so it’s not a beachy destination, but it is relaxing and serene.

If you’re interested in spending your retirement in a more affordable gated community, then you may want to check out homes for sale in On Top of the World, Clearwater, and On Top of the World, Clearwater, housing market trends.

8. Naples

• Population: 21,750
• Median yearly retirement income: $99,852
• Median home sold price: $950,000
• Median monthly rent: $1,382
• Percent of those age 65+: 52.9%

Naples is another premier location on the Gulf of Mexico in southwest Florida, and it features beautiful beaches, fine dining, 90 golf courses and several annual festivals throughout the year. While the beaches are the main attraction, Naples is also home to the largest subtropical wilderness in the United States, America’s Everglades. Like our first three picks, living in Naples would be like living in paradise. What better way to spend retirement than living in a holiday destination?

Enjoy any of the white-sand beaches or make your way to one of the premier golf courses that decorate the city. Whatever you’d like to do during your retirement, it is possible in Naples.

Naples has a violent crime rate of just 9, but a property crime rate of 34.4. Just like living in any other area, it’s important to take the necessary steps to protect your home.

Naples is one of the most expensive cities on our list with a housing cost to income ratio of 40.9 and median home sold price of $950,000. That aside, the city is home to nearly 22,000 people and more than half are aged 65 and above. Furthermore, nearly 34% have retirement income, a sign that retirees enjoy what the city has to offer.

If you’re ready to spend your retirement in paradise, consider looking at homes for sale in Naples and Naples housing market trends.

9. Sanibel

• Population: 7,378
• Median yearly retirement income: $105,769
• Median monthly rent: $1,100
• Percent of those age 65+: 59.9%

Sanibel is a city located on Sanibel Island in southwest Florida. It’s known for its beautiful seashell covered beaches, luxurious resorts and the iconic 19th-century Sanibel Island Lighthouse, all located along the Gulf. Fishing, shelling, kayaking and canoeing are among the most popular local pastimes. If you love seafood, you’ll never run out of options for fresh caught cuisine along the waterfront. Pair your meal with a stunning sunset and you’ll be glad you decided to call Sanibel home.

Sanibel has a violent crime rate of just 9.8, and a property crime rate of 24.5, making the city very safe. Living on an island comes with a hefty price tag as homes tend to sell for about $1.2 million, something you can track if you check out Sanibel housing market trends. It seems like retirees in Sanibel don’t have an issue with the prices, though just 36.5% have an income.

If Sanibel sounds like the perfect place to take in the ocean breeze, take a look at homes for sale in Sanibel.

10. Sebastian

• Population: 25,613
• Median yearly retirement income: $46,835
• Median home sold price: $1,200,000
• Median monthly rent: $1,156
• Percent of those age 65+: 34.8%

Last but certainly not least on our list is the city of Sebastian. The city borders the Atlantic Ocean and is in Indian River County. Sebastian is a beautiful city, popular for surfing, fishing and adventuring outdoors. Whether you are seeking relaxation or exploration, you can find it in this city. Spend your days learning about the vast marine life of the Atlantic Ocean, exploring Pelican Island or treasure hunting for washed up artifacts from the 1715 Spanish Plate Fleet shipwreck.

With 34.8% of people aged 65 and above having retirement income, it’s easy to see that retirees have been choosing Sebastian. It has a violent crime rate of just 12.7, and a property crime rate of 29.7. The cost of living is the greatest drawback, with rent averaging $1,156 monthly and homes selling for an average of $1.2 million.

There are plenty of gorgeous homes for sale in Sebastian. If you are interested in settling in this area after retirement, you should check out current Sebastian housing market trends.

4 More Popular Places To Retire In Florida

Florida is a large state with a lot of great cities to retire in, but your decision should ultimately depend on your interests and budget. We know it can be challenging to choose from the great places we have already listed, so if you are not sure what you can afford, it’s best to talk to a REALTOR^® before making any decisions.

If the top 10 places did not pique your interest, these honorable mentions should also be considered when deciding where you should retire.

1. Tampa

• Population: 395,912 
• Median Yearly Income: $55,634  
• Median Monthly Rent: $1,178  
• Median Sold Price: $409,152

Tampa is the largest city in the Tampa Bay area and the seat of Hillsborough County, along Florida’s Gulf Coast. Tampa’s population is approximately 395,900, making it the 3rd largest city in Florida and the 53rd largest city in the United States. There are 11 parks in Tampa to enjoy the natural beauty of the city. There are also plenty of waterfront activities to choose from, including kayaking, canoeing, fishing and boating.

If you’re looking to retire in a large, robust city, Tampa may be the place for you. Its proximity to the Gulf gives you access to gorgeous beaches and beautiful wildlife. Furthermore, Tampa prides itself on being an inclusive city and encourages all their residents to stay active. The David M. Barksdale Active Older Adult Center has a mission to keep residents engaged and enhance personal well-being, so they host an array of activities for seniors year-round. They also host games and events, including shuffleboard, bingo, billiards and the annual Senior Day in the Park.

Tampa is a beautiful city with a lot to offer, so if you’re looking to retire here then you should look at current homes for sale. Taking a look at the Tampa housing market trends is also a good idea if you plan on settling down here, as it gives you the opportunity to look at important housing data in real time.

2. Jacksonville

• Population: 902,488 
• Median Yearly Income: $55,531
• Median Monthly Rent: $1,089 
• Median Sold Price: $294,148 

Jacksonville sits on the Atlantic coast of northeastern Florida. With a population of 902,488, it’s the largest city in Florida and the 14th largest in the United States. While retiring in a big city can seem overwhelming, moving to Jackson comes with an array of perks, including picturesque views and an affordable cost of living.

Jacksonville is a gorgeous city with a lot of activities for all ages. It’s no surprise that water activities are abundant, giving you the option to fish, kayak, canoe, Jet Ski, boat or dive whenever you’d like.

If you’d like to spend time in the city, the St. Johns Town Center is an upscale mall in southeast Jacksonville. The 51.2-acre mall is home to over 167 stores. Located at the intersection of J. Turner Butler Boulevard and the Interstate 295 East Beltway, the mall is just a 15-minute drive from downtown Jacksonville. Due to the size and layout, you’ll need a car to get around, which can be an issue if you want a place where you can walk or use public transit. The average home sold price in Jacksonville is only $294,148 and the average rent is $1,089, making it one of the most affordable locations on our list.

You’ll find a wide array of homes for sale in Jacksonville. If retiring here interests you, make sure to check out Jacksonville housing market trends before you make the jump.

3. Sarasota

• Population: 57,787
• Median yearly income: $56,093
• Median monthly rent: $1,177
• Median home sold price: $502,500

Sarasota is a city south of Tampa on Florida’s Gulf Coast. The city is packed with attractions, including museums, aquariums and award-winning restaurants that overlook the waterfront. To top it off, the city also features a variety of tennis courts and golf courses.

Do you have a dog? Plan on getting one after you retire? How would you feel if we told you that Sarasota was named as one of the most dog-friendly cities in the U.S? Sarasota offers many dog-friendly activities, from renting kayaks or stand-up paddleboards to partying on the Hawaiian-themed, dog-friendly Sarasota Minibus. We know you want to try new things after you retire, and we’re sure your pooch would enjoy new activities as well.

From museums and galleries to beaches and reserves, Sarasota offers it all. If you’d like to spend your retirement living a vacation lifestyle, this city could be the option for you. Living in paradise does come with a hefty cost of living, as you can see from the average rent and home sold prices, so be sure you can afford to live here with your retirement income. If you are interested in retiring in Sarasota, you should check out the housing market trends and homes for sale.      

4. Orlando

• Population: 284,817
• Median yearly income: $55,183
• Median monthly rent: $1,253
• Median home sold price: $319,450

Orlando is mostly known for Disney resorts, but the city has so much more to offer for retirees. Located in central Florida, Orlando is home to nearly 285,000 people. It’s a beautiful city with an array of indoor and outdoor recreation, amazing healthcare options and a low crime rate. Get moving and enjoy the tennis and pickleball courts or relax and get your putt on at one of the golf courses. You might enjoy kayaking and canoeing on the lakes or camping at one of the state parks in the area. Whatever it is, the magical city of Orlando can make your retirement dreams a reality.

The cost of living is not so bad for the amenities you are granted access to. With the average home sold price sitting in the $300,000 range, and the rental price hovering around $1,200 monthly, you can experience the luxury of some of our other options for nearly half the price.

Due to the location, Orlando is not close to any large beaches, but there are a lot of lakes and rivers in the area. If you really want to get close to wildlife, you can tour the beautiful Silver Springs or Wekiva River. Kayaking is an extremely popular pastime in Orlando because the gorgeous turquoise water gives you a clear view of the creatures swimming around. Lake Eola Park, one of the city’s most renowned locations, is a prominent feature in downtown Orlando. Here, you can watch the swans swim by on a relaxing Sunday morning or visit any of the community events and performances that are hosted year-round.

If Orlando seems like the place you would like to call home after retirement, take a moment to look at the housing market trends beforehand. There are a lot of homes for sale in Orlando calling for someone like you to make them home – will you listen?

The Bottom Line

If you’re looking to retire in a warm, sunny vacation destination, you might be interested in purchasing a home in Florida. Other than the beautiful scenery, the fact that the state does not tax your retirement income is an upside that many retirees cannot resist.

Every penny matters after retirement, so it’s important that you’re saving more and spending on the things that make you happy. Whether or not you retire in Florida ultimately depends on if you think the state is a good fit for you, but if you’re planning on spending your retired years in the Sunshine State, let us help you. Get started online today.

Methodology: Finding The Best Places To Live In Florida

Cities in Florida that experienced severe damage from the most recent Hurricane Ian and Nicole were removed from analysis, including all cities in Lee County.

Rocket Homes collected and analyzed the most recent data on twelve key local and countywide metrics to give us insight into the top cities best for living. We analyzed the 404 most populated cities in Florida, which have Rocket Homes listings. These cities are home to 68.9% of the state’s residents. The metrics used in this study include the violent crime rate, property crime rate, median rent, well-being index, percent of those with retirement income, percent of those 65 years old or older, median yearly retirement income, and median monthly housing costs for those with mortgages. Some of these metrics were then used to calculate housing cost to income ratio. These metrics were chosen based on public data availability and topical relevance. Metrics from the U.S. Census are based on 2020 ACS 5-year estimates. In one case, county-level data was used because data is not recorded at the local level.

The housing cost to income ratio was calculated by taking the median monthly housing costs divided by the median monthly income to get the average percentage of income spent on housing costs in a household. Each data category was normalized and transformed into a range of points for scoring and comparison. Cities with violent crime rates greater than or equal to 55 and property crime rates greater than or equal to 65 were removed from the ranking. Weights were then applied to each metric depending on their individual importance in the study. The weighted scores for each metric were summed to create the overall Best Places To Live Score for each city. The final scores are sorted to produce the final rankings. If multiple cities ranked within the same county, only the top city or two cities were chosen to be represented in order to showcase the diversity of the state and offer readers a wider representation of the state.