15 Best Places to Retire in Florida 2022 [Income, Taxes, Demographics, and Value]

Florida is regarded by many as one of the top destinations to retire in the United States. It’s not only considered a retirement oasis for retirees, but also a great state to own a vacation home or condo. The state of Florida has no state income tax, property taxes lower than the national average, an affordable housing market, and close to perfect weather year-round.

In addition to this, Florida has no state-level taxes on social security benefits, pensions, and other types of retirement accounts. These benefits give retirees additional purchasing power and allow them to make the most of their retirement income. Our list goes through the 15 best cities to retire in Florida along with important information about each city and how your retirement might look there.

How We Compiled Our List Of Best Cities to Retire In Florida

Our research of the best cities to retire in Florida was pulled by combining different retirement sources online such SmartAsset, TravelandLeisure, and FloridaBoomers. We combined the best places to retire in Florida from these sources to determine the ideal retirement factors that allow people to enjoy a comfortable retirement. Some of the factors in our research include: 

  • Median household income: This will provide you with an idea of how much other families make in that area.
  • Median Monthly Mortgage Cost: This can help to give you a good understanding of the living costs associated with the city.
  • Median Monthly Rent Cost: If you plan to rent instead of buying your residence, knowing the monthly rent costs can help you budget accordingly.
  • The population of the city – Helps to determine the overall size of the city.
  • Median home value – Gives us an idea of the affordability and cost of living in the area.
  • Property Tax Rate – The property tax rate of each city gives us insight into the recurring housing costs associated with the area.
  • The number of hospitals within a 25-mile radius – Provides us with information about the level of available health care for that area.
  • Annual property and violent crimes – This gives us information about the safety of the city.
  • Quality of life and value factor – These factors provide us with an idea of the overall value and quality of life associated with retiring in each city based on local attractions available for retirees, retirement communities, and more. 

Our list is in no particular order and each city in Florida offers unique retirement options. The values derived in our tables come directly from the United States Census Bureau. The estimated median home values are pulled from Realtor.com.

Recommended Reading: FHA Loan Limits in Florida

These factors help to provide us with a fair assessment of how retirement might look in these cities. It’s important to note that not all of these cities in Florida are considered affordable to retire in. Our study includes cities that are considered affordable and ones that are more expensive.

1. Tampa Bay

Tampa-Bay

Tampa Bay Statistics ( 2022 )

  • Population – 387,050
  • Median Household Income – $55,634
  • Median Home Value – $254,600
  • Property Tax Rate – 1.50%
  • Median Monthly Mortgage Cost – $1,632
  • Median Monthly Rent Cost – $1,250
  • Number of Hospitals within 25 Miles of City – 20+
  • Annual Property Crimes – 6,292
  • Annual Violent Crimes – 2,146
  • Affordability Retirement – 8/10
  • Quality of Life – 8/10
  • Value – 8/10

Conclusion: Tampa is a great place in Florida to consider as a retirement option. The city of Tampa has a higher population of 65 year old’s than most places in the country and is a fantastic place to retire if you enjoy a lively city. It’s the third most populated city in Florida with a booming business center and plenty of options for people to stay busy. It’s worth noting that many of the suburbs and neighborhoods in Tampa are operated through HOA’s which can have their own restrictions and higher than normal association fees. However, the city has its own airport making travel across the state easily accessible.

Local Attractions: Below are some of the most popular local attractions in Tampa Bay.

  • Busch Gardens
  • The Florida Aquarium
  • ZooTampa at Lowery Park
  • Adventure Island
  • Seminole Hard Rock Hotel and Casino

Best Known For: Tampa Bay is best known for its beautiful coastal beaches and fantastic theme parks. In addition to this, it’s also well known for Ybor city, a national historic landmark full of rich and diverse culture, eclectic retail stores, and amazing restaurants.


2. Saint Petersburg

saint petersburg

Saint Petersburg Statistics ( 2022 )

  • Population – 258,201
  • Median Household Income – $60,798
  • Median Home Value – $222,900
  • Property Tax Rate – 0.97%
  • Median Monthly Mortgage Cost – $1,507
  • Median Monthly Rent Cost – $1,260
  • Number of Hospitals within 25 Miles of City – 10+
  • Annual Property Crimes – 6,865
  • Annual Violent Crimes – 1,777
  • Affordability Retirement – 8.5/10
  • Quality of Life – 8.5/10
  • Value – 9.0/10

Conclusion: Saint Petersburg is one of Florida’s largest cities and also one of its oldest retirement destinations. It’s considered by many as one of the best places to retire in Florida from a value and cost of living perspective. The city offers a great balance between a luxury lifestyle and beautiful beaches. In addition, St. Petersburg is in close proximity to Clearwater Beach and has plenty of parks, museums, and shopping centers to keep local retirees busy. With the super sunny climate, low taxes, and overall safety factor, St. Petersburg is an affordable retirement oasis.

Local Attractions: Below are some of the most popular local attractions in Saint Petersburg.

  • The Dali (Salvador Dali)
  • Fort De Soto Park
  • Sunken Gardens
  • St. Pete Pier
  • Sunshine Skyway Bridge

Best Known For: St. Petersburg is best known for holding the record for the most consecutive days with sunshine at 768 days and is also known for its stunning coastal beaches.


3. Palm Beach

palm beach

Palm Beach Statistics ( 2022 )

  • Population – 9,251
  • Median Household Income – $169,003
  • Median Home Value – $1,211,900
  • Property Tax Rate – 1.02%
  • Median Monthly Mortgage Cost – $4,000
  • Median Monthly Rent Cost – $1,900
  • Number of Hospitals within 25 Miles of City – 6+
  • Annual Property Crimes – 129
  • Annual Violent Crimes – 3
  • Affordability Retirement – 6.5/10
  • Quality of Life – 9.5/10
  • Value – 7.5/10

Conclusion: Palm Beach is considered one of the most expensive and premier destinations to retire to in Florida. This is a quiet city coupled with expensive real estate fit for retirees with financial means. The median home value in Palm Beach is upwards of $1.2 million along with a median household income of $169k per year. Palm beach is unique because it’s separated from the mainland of Florida. The city is lined with beautiful upscale boutiques, galleries, and exclusive restaurants. This is a retirement destination that requires retirees to have plenty of disposable income and alternative ways of getting around.

Local Attractions: Check out some of the most popular local attractions in Palm Beach.

  • Henry Morrison Flagler Museum
  • Worth Avenue
  • Norton Museum of Art
  • The Society of the Four Arts
  • Ann Norton Sculpture

Best Known For: Palm beach is most famously known for its stunning architecture, beautiful beaches, and luxury shopping center. In addition to this, it’s well known to be a popular destination for billionaires to stay and vacation. It’s been reported that in 2017 Palm beach had roughly 30 billionaires making the town one of the wealthiest places in the United States. It’s also been reported that there are a lot of part-time residents with roughly 25,000 people residing in the town between November and April.


4. Orlando

orlando

Orlando Statistics ( 2022 )

  • Population – 309,154
  • Median Household Income – $55,183
  • Median Home Value – $262,500
  • Property Tax Rate – 1.16%
  • Median Monthly Mortgage Cost – $1,674
  • Median Monthly Rent Cost – $1,350
  • Number of Hospitals within 25 Miles of City – 10+
  • Annual Property Crimes – 11,319
  • Annual Violent Crimes – 2,547
  • Affordability Retirement – 8.0/10
  • Quality of Life – 8.0/10
  • Value – 8.5/10

Conclusion: Orlando is perhaps the most popular place in all of Florida due to the large plethora of resorts and theme parks. It’s a major tourist hub for families and there’s no shortage of options for people to have fun. It should be noted that most people often overlook Orlando as a retirement destination. However, it’s an extremely affordable place to retire to in Florida if you want to stretch your dollars. Housing is very affordable and there are plenty of retirement communities around. In addition, Orlando has a very robust healthcare system, and the Orlando International Airport is just 6 miles from Downtown Orlando. It has a strong local economy and everything is in close proximity making everyday life necessities convenient and accessible.

Local Attractions: Below are some of the Orlando’s most popular local attractions and destinations to check out.

  • Universal Orlando Resort
  • Walt Disney Resort
  • Magic Kingdom Park
  • SeaWorld Orlando
  • Epcot

Best Known For: Orlando is most famously known for Walt Disney World and Universal and its heavy influx of nearly 60 million visitors per year.


5. Gainesville

gainesville

Gainesville Statistics ( 2022 )

  • Population – 140,398
  • Median Household Income – $38,028
  • Median Home Value – $179,500
  • Property Tax Rate – 0.59%
  • Median Monthly Mortgage Cost – $1,289
  • Median Monthly Rent Cost – $1,050
  • Number of Hospitals within 25 Miles of City – 10+
  • Annual Property Crimes – 4,541
  • Annual Violent Crimes – 1,052
  • Affordability Retirement – 8.5/10
  • Quality of Life – 8.0/10
  • Value – 8.5/10

Conclusion: Gainesville is one of the most affordable places to retire to in Florida on our list. With the median home value at $179k and a 0.59% property tax rate, the cost of living in Gainesville is very affordable for retirees. The cost of living in Gainesville is well below the national average and is a great place to consider retiring in if you want to stretch your dollars. In addition, Gainesville boasts nationally recognized healthcare facilities which are fantastic for retirees who need access to healthcare.

Local Attractions: Below are some of Gainesville’s most popular attractions.

  • Florida Museum of Natural History-Exhibits
  • Devil’s Millhopper Geological State Park
  • Kanapaha Botanical Gardens
  • Butterfly Rainforest
  • Harn Museum of Art

Best Known For: Gainesville Florida is known as the home of the University of Florida and the birthplace of the Gatorade.


6. Sarasota

sarasota

Sarasota Statistics ( 2022 )

  • Population – 54,764
  • Median Household Income – $56,093
  • Median Home Value – $291,500
  • Property Tax Rate – 0.84%
  • Median Monthly Mortgage Cost – $1,425
  • Median Monthly Rent Cost – $1,125
  • Number of Hospitals within 25 Miles of City – 15+
  • Annual Property Crimes – 1,649
  • Annual Violent Crimes – 351
  • Affordability Retirement – 8.0/10
  • Quality of Life – 8.0/10
  • Value – 8.5/10

Conclusion: Sarasota is considered one of the best coastal cities to retire to in Florida. It’s considered very affordable for retirees with property taxes 20% below the national average. It has a stunning downtown area with a busy nightlife bound to keep retirees thriving. In addition, Sarasota has a robust healthcare system and is considered safer than 30% of other cities in the United States. Sarasota County is one of the most popular places for retirees with roughly 37% of the population being 65 years or older. If you’re searching for affordability, value and high quality of life Sarasota are one of the best places to retire in Florida.

Local Attractions: Below are some of the most popular local attractions in Sarasota.

  • The John Marble Ringling Museum of Art
  • Siesta Key Beach
  • Mote Marine Laboratory & Aquarium
  • Marie Selby Botanical Gardens
  • Sarasota Jungle Gardens

Best Known For: Sarasota is well known for being very close to the Gulf of Mexico and for it’s stunning sandy beaches.


7. Daytona Beach

daytona beach

Daytona Beach Statistics ( 2022 )

  • Population – 74,437
  • Median Household Income – $38,686
  • Median Home Value – $164,400
  • Property Tax Rate – 0.53%
  • Median Monthly Mortgage Cost – $1,208
  • Median Monthly Rent Cost – $1,030
  • Number of Hospitals within 25 Miles of City – 15+
  • Annual Property Crimes – 2,160
  • Annual Violent Crimes – 726
  • Affordability Retirement – 9/10
  • Quality of Life – 8.5/10
  • Value – 8.5/10

Conclusion: Daytona Beach is another very affordable city to consider retirement in Florida. With the median home value at $164k and the property tax rate at .53%, Daytona Beach is one of the most affordable places to retire in Florida. Another benefit to retiring in Florida is the fact that there is no estate or inheritance tax. With the average salary in Florida at approximately $48,200 in 2022, retiring or starting a family in Daytona is a great option from a cost-of-living perspective..

Local Attractions: There is plenty of ways for retirees to stay busy in Daytona. Below are some of the most popular local attractions for retirees.

  • Daytona International Speedway
  • Daytona Lagoon
  • Museum of Arts & Sciences
  • Daytona Boardwalk Amusements
  • Daytona Beach Main Street Pier

Best Known For: Daytona is best known for the Daytona International Speedway along with its yearly events and festivals that brings in millions of tourists every year.


8. Boca Raton

Boca Raton Statistics ( 2022 )

  • Population – 95,787
  • Median Household Income – $84,445
  • Median Home Value – $164,400
  • Property Tax Rate – 0.53%
  • Median Monthly Mortgage Cost – $1,208
  • Median Monthly Rent Cost – $1,030
  • Number of Hospitals within 25 Miles of City – 15+
  • Annual Property Crimes – 2,160
  • Annual Violent Crimes – 726
  • Affordability Retirement – 9/10
  • Quality of Life – 8.5/10
  • Value – 8.5/10

Conclusion: One of the key features of Boca Raton is the safety factor. It’s considered one of the safest cities in all of Florida and is safer than 25% of cities across the United States. In addition to this, it has a great retirement community with more than 27% of the population over the age of 65. In addition to this, the cost of living in Boca is much lower than the national average and there are affordable retirement communities that can help you stretch your dollars to the max. Another great part of retiring in Boca is the ease of getting around. There are plenty of alternative road transportation options, rail connections, a nearby airport, and water transport as well.

Local Attractions: Below are some of the most popular attractions in Boca Raton.

  • The Boca Raton
  • Morikami Museum and Japanese Gardens
  • Butterfly World
  • Gumbo Limbo Nature Center
  • Red Reef Park

Best Known For: Boca is well known for its long list of golf courses and state-of-the-art dining and entertainment options. It’s an oasis for retirees looking for value and diverse options.


9. Fort Meyers

fort meyers

Fort Meyers Statistics ( 2022 )

  • Population – 92,245
  • Median Household Income – $48,848
  • Median Home Value – $248,400
  • Property Tax Rate – 1.04%
  • Median Monthly Mortgage Cost – $1,764
  • Median Monthly Rent Cost – $1,096
  • Number of Hospitals within 25 Miles of City – 6+
  • Annual Property Crimes – 1,735
  • Annual Violent Crimes – 476
  • Affordability Retirement – 8/10
  • Quality of Life – 8/10
  • Value – 8/10

Conclusion: Fort Meyers is considered by many as one of the best beach towns to retire to in Florida. Despite the recent damage experienced in Fort Meyers locals from hurricane Ian, Fort Meyers is an incredible destinations not only for retirees but also tourists and people looking to vacation. One thing to keep in mind if your plan on retiring here is the influx of Spring Breakers during March and April. However, the cost of living in Fort Meyers is below the national average and there are plenty of retirement communities to help retirees find their ideal destination to enjoy their golden years.

Local Attractions: Below are some of Fort Meyers most popular attractions for locals and retirees.

  • Edison & Ford Winter Estates
  • IMAG History & Science Center
  • Manatee Park
  • Lakes Park
  • Six Mile Cypress Slough Preserve

Best Known For: In addition to its beautiful sprawling beaches, Fort Meyers is well known for nature and historical estates. It’s also well known for being a shelling Mecca as the beaches are on a shallow plateau that collects shells along the shoreline.


10. The Florida Keys

florida keys

The Florida Keys Statistics ( 2022 )

  • Population – 83,512
  • Median Household Income – $105,000
  • Median Home Value – $545,500
  • Property Tax Rate – 1.25%
  • Median Monthly Mortgage Cost – $2,325
  • Median Monthly Rent Cost – $1,750
  • Number of Hospitals within 25 Miles of City – 6+
  • Annual Property Crimes – 1,152
  • Annual Violent Crimes – 395
  • Affordability Retirement – 7.5/10
  • Quality of Life – 8/10
  • Value – 8/10

Conclusion: The Florida Keys are located in Monroe County, which has the highest FHA loan limits in Florida for a single-family property. This is an important factor to consider from a cost perspective because there is a large price disparity in home prices in the Florida Keys. So, when evaluating where in the Florida keys you may consider retirement, some areas will be a lot more expensive than others. Overall, retiring in the Florida Keys is not as affordable as other spots on our list. However, there are many great retiring communities throughout the Florida Keys like Silver Shores Retirement community that offer residents flexible options for housing. It’s worth noting that although it’s expensive to retire here, the climate is near perfect year-round, and isn’t overly populated.

Local Attractions:  Below are some of the most popular attractions in the Florida Keys for locals and retirees to experience.

  • Dry Tortugas National Park
  • The Ernest Hemingway Home and Museum
  • John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park
  • The Turtle Hospital
  • Looe Key

Best Known For: The Florida Keys are a special destination due to its beautiful scenic 110-mile highway that combines over 42 bridges. It combines many different regions together and each offers a unique experience. It’s most famously known for its sportfishing, boating, and seafood.


11. Fort Lauderdale

fort lauderdale

Fort Lauderdale Statistics ( 2022 )

  • Population – 181,668
  • Median Household Income – $64,313
  • Median Home Value – $350,900
  • Property Tax Rate – 1.19%
  • Median Monthly Mortgage Cost – $2,143
  • Median Monthly Rent Cost – $1,353
  • Number of Hospitals within 25 Miles of City – 10+
  • Annual Property Crimes -7,697
  • Annual Violent Crimes – 1,169
  • Affordability Retirement – 8.0/10
  • Quality of Life – 8/10
  • Value – 8/10

Conclusion: Fort Lauderdale is a great place to consider retirement due to the variety of options within Broward County. There are many single-family communities with a suburban feel as well as many options for those who want a waterfront condo lifestyle. If that’s not to your liking there are options in semi-rural ranchettes with 55+ communities for more quitter living. A great part of living in Fort Lauderdale is the age restrictions for housing. This makes it a perfect place for retirees to find affordable options for their housing needs. Although the cost of living is slightly higher in Fort Lauderdale, it offers many unique options to residents for housing.

Local Attractions: Below are some of the most popular local attractions in Fort Lauderdale.

  • Seminole Hard Rock Hotel and Casino
  • Bonnet House Museum & Gardens
  • Museum of Discovery and Science
  • East Las Olas Boulevard
  • Hugh Taylor Birch State Park

Best Known For: Fort Lauderdale is known as the “Venice of America” and is very popular for its 165- miles of inland waterways spreads across the city. Fort Lauderdale is also very well known for its tourism and diverse local economy.


12. Naples

naples

Naples Statistics ( 2022 )

  • Population – 19,372
  • Median Household Income – $118,141
  • Median Home Value – $1,018,000
  • Property Tax Rate – 1.20%
  • Median Monthly Mortgage Cost – $3,403
  • Median Monthly Rent Cost – $1,382
  • Number of Hospitals within 25 Miles of City – 7+
  • Annual Property Crimes – 276
  • Annual Violent Crimes – 21
  • Affordability Retirement – 6.5/10
  • Quality of Life – 8.5/10
  • Value – 7/10

Conclusion: Naples is the second most expensive place to retire to in Florida on our list. It is considered one of the best beach towns to retire to in Florida due to its safety, peacefulness, and easygoing lifestyle. Naples is considered a luxurious coastal town with a community that is focused on keeping an active lifestyle. If you enjoy spending your time on the water, Naples has plenty of boating communities allowing you to travel to nearby islands by boat. In addition to this, Naples is full of amazing dining establishments if you’re a foodie. It’s worth noting that retiring here can be expensive. With the median home value at 1.08 million and a property tax rate of 1.20%, retiring in Naples will require you to have a much bigger nest egg.

Local Attractions: Below are some of the local attractions in Naples to keep retirees busy and having fun.

  • Naples Pier
  • 5th Avenue South
  • Lowdermilk Park
  • Naples Depot Museum
  • Naples Zoo at Caribbean Gardens

Best Known For: Naples is known for being a swanky town and it’s famous for its high-end shopping, dining, and many options for outdoor fun in the sun.


13. Cape Coral

cape coral

Cape Coral Statistics ( 2022 )

  • Population – 204,510
  • Median Household Income – $61,780
  • Median Home Value – $237,400
  • Property Tax Rate – 0.95%
  • Median Monthly Mortgage Cost – $1,479
  • Median Monthly Rent Cost – $1,367
  • Number of Hospitals within 25 Miles of City – 10+
  • Annual Property Crimes – 2,135
  • Annual Violent Crimes – 255
  • Affordability Retirement – 8.5/10
  • Quality of Life – 8.5/10
  • Value – 9/10

Conclusion: Cape Coral is another very affordable place to consider retirement in Florida. The median monthly rent and mortgage costs are approximately 15% below the national average. Depending on where in Cape Coral you end up retiring, the costs can be a little bit higher. There are quite a few spots around Cape Coral that offer waterfront living which tends to be more expensive. However, there is always something going on in Cape Coral that can keep retirees busy. From festivals to farmers’ markets, and unique exhibitions, staying entertained and busy in Cape Coral isn’t a problem. It’s also worth mentioning that Cape Coral is extremely safe and has a very strong job market along with low levels of unemployment.

Local Attractions:  Below are some of the fun activities and local attractions for retirees to enjoy in Cape Coral.

  • Lakes Park
  • Sun Splash Family Waterpark
  • Shell Factory
  • Four Mile Cover Ecological Preserve
  • Wicked Dolphin Rum Distillery

Best Known For: Cape Coral is well as being the “Waterfront Wonderland”, offering miles and miles of canals longer than anywhere else in the world.


14. North Port

North Port Statistics ( 2022 )

  • Population – 80,021
  • Median Household Income – $64,543
  • Median Home Value – $216,400
  • Property Tax Rate – .48%
  • Median Monthly Mortgage Cost – $1,319
  • Median Monthly Rent Cost – $1,248
  • Number of Hospitals within 25 Miles of City – 6+
  • Annual Property Crimes – 754
  • Annual Violent Crimes – 18
  • Affordability Retirement – 8.5/10
  • Quality of Life – 8.5/10
  • Value – 8.5/10

Conclusion: North Port is situated in Sarasota County and is another very affordable place to consider retirement. With the average home value at $216k along with a low property tax rate of .48%, living and retiring in North Port is very cost-effective. The city has a suburban feel with a good blend of young families and retirees. It is also considered to be a very safe area with crime well below the national average. The city tends to lean on the conservative side of the political spectrum and has a strong local economy with unemployment rates below 3%.

Local Attractions: Below are some of the local attractions in North Port to keep you busy.

  • Blind Pass Beach
  • Warm Mineral Springs Park
  • Little Gasparilla Island
  • Myakka State Forest
  • Manasota Key Beach

Best Known For: North Port is well known for its natural environment and contains the fifth-largest land area in the state of Florida.


15. Miami

miami

Miami Statistics ( 2022 )

  • Population – 461,080
  • Median Household Income – $44,268
  • Median Home Value – $344,300
  • Property Tax Rate – 1.02%
  • Median Monthly Mortgage Cost – $2,043
  • Median Monthly Rent Cost – $1,242
  • Number of Hospitals within 25 Miles of City – 10+
  • Annual Property Crimes – 13,135
  • Annual Violent Crimes – 2,655
  • Affordability Retirement – 8/10
  • Quality of Life – 8/10
  • Value – 8/10

Conclusion: Miami is perhaps one of the most popular cities in all of Florida. It’s a cultural mecca for young and ambitious people looking to kickstart their careers while enjoying a busy nightlife scene, fun beaches, and many local attractions. A great plus to retiring in Miami is the many over 55 communities throughout the city. Miami is a major US city and it has its own airport making travel easy and accessible for retirees. Another great part of retiring in Miami is the affordability factor. Since there are many options for retirement communities in Miami finding something affordable isn’t very difficult. It’s worth noting that a majority of retirees end up either renting or owning a condo. Any way you look at it, Miami is one of the best places to retire to in Florida if you enjoy a fast-paced lifestyle with plenty of attractions and excitement.

Local Attractions: Below are some of the local attractions in Miami to keep retirees and locals busy.

  • Vizcaya Museum & Gardens
  • Perez Art Museum Miami
  • Wynwood Walls
  • Bayside Marketplace
  • Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden

Best Known For: Miami is known for its stunning white-sandy beaches, perfect weather, Latin-American culture, and non-stop nightlife scene. In addition, Miami is known for its widespread influence in movies and television.

FAQ’s


Are Pensions Taxable in Florida?

One of the great parts of retiring in Florida is the fact that there is no state income tax. Pensions, social security benefits, income, and income from an IRA or 401(k) are not taxable.