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Erin McDowell

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Florida has long been a retirement destination, drawing older Americans with its warm weather, beaches, and historically lower cost of living.

In recent years, it has lost some of its appeal as a retirement haven, with some older Americans put off by the Sunshine State's rising housing and homeowners' insurance costs, overdevelopment and congestion, hurricane risks, and intensifying heat.

Still, Florida remains one of the country's most popular retirement destinations — and some of its cities offer a better lifestyle for retirees than others.

US News & World Report ranked the best places to retire in Florida, evaluating each destination across six categories: quality of life, value, healthcare quality, retiree taxes, senior population and migration, and the job market.

The categories were weighted based on a March 2025 survey of 3,500 Americans ages 45 and older, who were asked which factors mattered most when choosing where to retire. The ranking focused on more populous cities with consistent data, so some smaller towns popular with retirees weren't included.

The ranking drew on data from the US Census Bureau, the Department of Commerce, the Federal Reserve, the Bureau of Economic Analysis, and various state and local sources.

Here are the 10 best places to retire in Florida, ranked from lowest to highest.

10. Jacksonville

The largest city included in US News' ranking of the 10 best places to retire in Florida, Jacksonville offers retirees the amenities of a major city while still providing miles of beaches, parks, and waterways.

Its size means residents can choose from a number of diverse neighborhoods and access a broad range of dining, entertainment, outdoor recreation, and healthcare options.

The median home value is $313,862, the median monthly rent is $1,352, and the median household income is reported at $70,119.

9. Port Charlotte

Port Charlotte, located on Charlotte Harbor along Southwest Florida's Gulf Coast, may appeal to retirees seeking a slower pace and easy access to the water.

The area, which has a population of over 50,000 residents, offers opportunities for boating, fishing, golfing, and exploring the nearby Gulf Coast beaches.

It's also more affordable to live there than other places on this list — the median monthly rent is $1,136, and the median household income is reported at $62,785.

8. Bonita Springs

Bonita Springs offers a laid-back Gulf Coast lifestyle with beaches, parks, and opportunities for boating and other outdoor activities.

Its location between Naples and Fort Myers also gives retirees convenient access to the shopping, dining, and entertainment in both areas, with an average commute time of 22 minutes.

The median home value in Bonita Springs is $518,813, while the median household income is $95,589.

7. Cape Coral

With an extensive network of canals, Cape Coral is particularly well-suited to retirees who enjoy living life out on the water. And, with an average commute time of 26 minutes, driving isn't so bad, either.

It's one of the most-populated locations on this list, with a population of 222,946.

The Gulf Coast city also offers parks, golf courses, and access to nearby beaches and islands, with a median household income of $79,932.

6. Pensacola

Pensacola offers retirees white-sand Gulf Coast beaches alongside the amenities and cultural attractions of a historic city.

Its waterfront setting and access to fishing, boating, and other outdoor activities can make it especially attractive to retirees who want to stay active while keeping costs low: The median home value here is $320,128, and the median monthly rent is $1,186.

5. Naples

Naples is known for its Gulf Coast beaches, golf courses, upscale shopping, and dining scene.

Retirees looking for an active coastal lifestyle can spend their time on the water, exploring the city's cultural attractions, or enjoying this coastal city's many exciting outdoor activities.

While more expensive than other towns on this list — the median home value sits at $1.4 million — the median household income sits at around $151,000, and the median monthly rent is $1,873.

4. Palm Harbor

Palm Harbor combines a suburban atmosphere with easy access to the beaches and attractions of the Tampa Bay area.

Retirees can enjoy nearby parks, golf courses, and waterfront activities, as well as the restaurants and shops of its historic downtown.

The median home value averages at $414,990, while the median monthly rent is $1,716.

3. Palm Coast

Palm Coast may appeal to retirees seeking a relaxed coastal lifestyle with access to beaches, waterways, and nature preserves.

The city sits between St. Augustine and Daytona Beach, giving residents access to larger destinations while offering a slower pace at home, with a median monthly rent of $1,466 and a median household income of $74,864.

2. Spring Hill

Spring Hill offers Florida retirees a quieter suburban lifestyle, with parks, golf courses, and other activities nearby.

Its location also provides access to beaches, Weeki Wachee Springs State Park, and other outdoor recreation while keeping average commute times at 23 minutes and residents within driving distance of the Tampa Bay area.

The median household income is $71,158, while the median home value in this small coastal city is $302,212.

1. Homosassa Springs

Homosassa Springs took the top spot on US News' ranking of the best places in Florida to retire. The community offers retirees a laid-back lifestyle along Florida's Nature Coast, with easy access to rivers, wildlife, and outdoor activities.

The average commute time is 19 minutes, and with a median monthly rent of $864, it's easy to see why some might choose this town to spend their golden years.

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Erin McDowell

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Erin McDowell is a reporter on Business Insider's editorial partnerships team. She covers food, lifestyle, and entertainment for Business Insider and its partner sites, including MSN, Apple News, and Yahoo.She graduated from Elon University in January 2019, where she studied strategic communications and digital art. She has written for V Magazine, Milk.XYZ, OUT.com, Brides Magazine, and more. She lives in Brooklyn, New York, and can be found on LinkedIn. Please send all inquiries, comments, or tips to [email protected].Selected stories:

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