Best Cities to Retire in Florida

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How to Cite RetirementLiving.com’s Article

APA:Hamer, L. (2024, February 26). Best Cities to Retire in Florida. RetirementLiving.com. Accessed November 5, 2024, from https://www.retirementliving.com/best-cities-to-retire-florida
Chicago:Hamer, Lauren. “Best Cities to Retire in Florida.” RetirementLiving.com. Last updated November 1, 2024. https://www.retirementliving.com/best-cities-to-retire-florida.
MLA:Hamer, Lauren. “Best Cities to Retire in Florida.” RetirementLiving.com, February 26 2024, https://www.retirementliving.com/best-cities-to-retire-florida.

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Florida has long been a top destination for retirees, offering no state income tax and year-round mild weather. With its beautiful coastlines and laid-back charm, it’s easy to see why so many seniors choose to spend their golden years in the Sunshine State. If you’re thinking about where you’d like to retire, we’re here to help you explore the best places to settle down in Florida.

Retirement Living analyzed the largest cities across Florida to identify the 10 best retirement destinations. We evaluated factors such as the percentage of residents aged 65 and older, median home and rental prices, poverty rates, and sales tax. Whether you’re looking to stay active and explore new adventures or relax and soak up the sunshine, these cities offer something for every lifestyle.

If you’re interested in retirement options beyond Florida’s borders, don’t miss our list of the 10 best U.S. cities for retirement and our collection of the best and worst states to retire in.

Top 10 Best Cities to Retire in Florida

What do many of the top cities on our list have in common? More than 20% of their residents are aged 65 or older, making these places nicely suited for retirees seeking community, comfort, and connection. Here’s how the top 10 cities for retirement in Florida stack up:

1. Palm Coast, Florida

aerial view of palm coast florida
Palm Coast, Florida. Source: Retirement Living
  • Share of population 65+: 30.1%
  • Median home sale price: $346,500
  • Median rent price: $1,790
  • Poverty rate: 10.3%
  • Sales tax: 7%

Coming in at number one on our list, Palm Coast is nestled between St. Augustine to the north and Daytona Beach to the south. It stands out with 30.1% of its population aged 65 and older — the highest in our study. Retirees are drawn to Palm Coast’s relaxing blend of safe, comfortable neighborhoods, sandy beaches, and pristine natural beauty. There’s no shortage of activities to keep you busy, including fishing, boating, tennis, golf, and hiking. Nature lovers can also enjoy bird-watching or dolphin-spotting along the city’s well-maintained wildlife trails.

2. Cape Coral, Florida

Cape Coral, Florida. Source: Retirement Living
  • Share of population 65+: 25%
  • Median home sale price: $375,000
  • Median rent price: $1,969
  • Poverty rate: 10%
  • Sales tax: 6.5%

This booming seaside city on Florida’s southwestern Gulf coast has long been revered as a wonderful place to retire, as evidenced by the fact that 25% of Cape Coral, Fla., is age 65 or older. Is it the top-quality golfing? The incredible seafood? The hundreds of miles of canals, rivers, and coastline? Or the low taxes? No matter what you’re looking forward to in retirement — rest, relaxation, or recreation — Cape Coral has it, and more and more people want it. The city’s population rose by nearly 23,000 people since 2020, according to U.S. Census data, yet the area’s still relatively affordable for many seniors.

3. North Port, Florida

north port, florida
North Port Florida. Source: Retirement Living
  • Share of population 65+: 25.4%
  • Median home sale price: $359,000
  • Median rent price: $1,982
  • Poverty rate: 7.6%
  • Sales tax: 7%

North Port boasts the lowest poverty rate in our study, at just 7.6%. With over 25% of its residents aged 65 and older, this city offers a retirement lifestyle full of opportunities. Seniors in North Port will enjoy a bit less rain than other Florida residents, providing additional opportunities to enjoy the water at Warm Mineral Springs Park, take in a little batting practice at the Atlanta Brave’s spring training facility, or soak in the natural beauty of Myakkahatchee Creek Environmental Park. And with North Port’s planned residential neighborhoods, affordable home prices, and proximity to both Tampa and Orlando, you’ll find it easy to feel at home.

4. Daytona Beach, Florida

Daytona Beach, Florida. Source: Retirement Living
Daytona Beach, Florida. Source: Retirement Living
  • Share of population 65+: 22.6%
  • Median home sale price: $272,500
  • Median rent price: $1,287
  • Poverty rate: 23.2%
  • Sales tax: 6.5%

Daytona Beach isn’t just known for the iconic Daytona 500; it also offers one of the most affordable retirement options in Florida, with the second-lowest median home sale price and rent in our study. With 22.6% of the population aged 65 or older, retirees are drawn to the city’s combination of affordability, beachfront living, and vibrant culture. 

5. Palm Bay, Florida

palm bay, florida
Palm Bay, Florida. Source: Retirement Living
  • Share of population 65+: 21.3%
  • Median home sale price: $329,950
  • Median rent price: $1,722
  • Poverty rate: 11%
  • Sales tax: 7%

Palm Bay is one of our top ten Florida cities to retire in thanks to its affordable home prices, small-town feel, and access to numerous parks, beaches, and nature sanctuaries. Situated midway along Florida’s Eastern coast, just south of Melbourne and along the Indian River, the city and its namesake bay offer beautiful places to get away and enjoy a little peace and quiet.

6. Lakeland, Florida

lakeland, florida
Lakeland, Florida. Source: Retirement Living
  • Share of population 65+: 21.1%
  • Median home sale price: $304,900
  • Median rent price: $1,466
  • Poverty rate: 15.5%
  • Sales tax: 7%

Another affordable option for seniors, Lakeland, Fla., boasts an amazing blend of the urbane and the outdoorsy, with more than three dozen lakes and several respected colleges. Florida Southern College even features a record-setting collection of Frank Lloyd Wright architecture. In addition to numerous recreational opportunities and plenty of other seniors for company, you’ll also enjoy access to high-quality health care in this Polk County city, with convenient providers at Lakeland Regional Health Hospital and other health centers. 

7. St. Petersburg, Florida

St. Petersburg, Florida. Source: Retirement Living
St. Petersburg, Florida. Source: Retirement Living
  • Share of population 65+: 23%
  • Median home sale price: $446,500
  • Median rent price: $1,761
  • Poverty rate: 10.4%
  • Sales tax: 7%

St. Petersburg is a bustling city on the Gulf of Mexico, with 23 percent of its population aged 65 and older. Situated near Tampa, St. Petersburg offers plenty of arts and culture for the creative-minded, plus plenty of outdoor recreation (can’t beat the South Florida weather!). Like much of Florida, you can expect plenty of traffic, but the city hasn’t been booming in growth like some other places, which may keep the crowds more manageable.

8. Melbourne, Florida

Melbourne, Florida. Source: Retirement Living
Melbourne, Florida. Source: Retirement Living
  • Share of population 65+: 22%
  • Median home sale price: $290,000
  • Median rent price: $1,634
  • Poverty rate: 17%
  • Sales tax: 7%

Melbourne has attracted retirees for years, thanks to its affordable cost of living and variety of coastal activities. Residents can enjoy fishing and other recreational activities near its many beaches and piers, or pause to witness a space launch from nearby Cape Canaveral and the Kennedy Space Center. With median rent just $1,634, Melbourne may be more affordable for seniors trying to stretch their retirement dollars than many other ocean-adjacent locations.

9. Deltona, Florida

  • Share of population 65+: 14.2%
  • Median home sale price: $320,000
  • Median rent price: $1,864
  • Poverty rate: 8.4%
  • Sales tax: 6.5%

An affordable inland city just northeast of Orlando, Deltona offers plenty to do and the same favorable tax laws as the rest of the state, including no income tax. But as an added bonus, you’ll pay just 6.5% sales tax on your purchases, too — less than the typical statewide sales tax rate of 7%. Deltona’s not far from the beach and also offers easy access to I-4 and I-95, making it easy for retirees to travel the state and maximize their fun.

10. Port St. Lucie, Florida

port st. lucie, florida
Port St Lucie, Florida. Source: Retirement Living
  • Share of population 65+: 21.7%
  • Median home sale price: $409,000
  • Median rent price: $2,053
  • Poverty rate: 7.9%
  • Sales tax: 7%

Port St. Lucie, Fla., is a hot destination for retirees and growing quickly. With a wide selection of golf courses (many of them PGA-ranked), parks, natural recreation areas, and waterways, seniors who enjoy the outdoors will find plenty to keep them occupied in the Florida sunshine. Located along the Eastern coast about an hour north of West Palm Beach, Port St. Lucie offers several planned communities, including Tradition, the Villages, and Latitude Margaritaville — ideal for finding a new community of your own in retirement. 

See Where Your Florida City Ranks for Retirement

Didn’t see your city? Below is a ranking of the top 25 Florida cities we compared to find the best places for retirement.

Methodology

To help readers find the best cities for retirement in Florida, we evaluated all cities with populations greater than 80,000 residents. Each city was assessed using multiple data points relevant to retirement, with metrics weighted to reflect their importance in the decision-making process.

We sourced population, monthly rent, and poverty rate data from the 2023 American Community Survey 1-Year Estimates. Median home sale prices are from Redfin as of September 2024, and sales tax rates were gathered from Avalara.

The data points and their corresponding percent weighting are as follows:

  • Persons 65 and older: 30%
  • Median home sale price: 20%
  • Median monthly rent: 20%
  • Persons in poverty: 20%
  • Sales tax rate: 10%

Reference policy 

If you found the information here helpful, we invite you to share it for non-commercial purposes. In return, we ask that you include a link back to this page when doing so.

Sources

  1. 2023 American Community Survey 1-Year Estimates
  2. Redfin 
  3. Avalara

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