What’s better than Christmas or your birthday?
Your last day at work… ever.
And then it hits you, one of the happiest problems you’ll have, where do you want to spend your retirement? Every day at the beach and golf course or maybe a city close to family and friends.
What you need is a list of the best places to retire in the United States. And that’s what you’ll find here.
We used Saturday Night Science to look at the things people generally like about retirement — weather, things to do, affordable living, and the ability to travel — for the biggest cities in America.
No need to say thank you. Least we could do now that you’re hanging them up and headed home.
Table Of Contents: Top Ten | Methodology | Summary | Table
The 10 Best Cities To Retire In The United States For 2024
Well, that went as we’d expected — Pembroke Pines is the best place to retire in America. Not a surprise to see Florida and California at the top.
While Florida dominates the top ten and California and Arizona make appearances on the back half of the top twenty, some smaller cities also make the cut.
For more on the top twenty, read on. Or if you’re not looking to retire any time soon, check out:
The 10 Best Cities To Retire In The USA
/10
Overall SnackAbility
Population: 170,472
Median Income: $77,657
Average Home Price: $485,196
Average Rent: $1,787
More on Pembroke Pines: Data | Crime | Cost Of Living | Real Estate
/10
Overall SnackAbility
Population: 135,158
Median Income: $81,812
Average Home Price: $506,754
Average Rent: $1,840
More on Miramar: Data | Crime | Cost Of Living | Real Estate
/10
Overall SnackAbility
Population: 222,996
Median Income: $49,531
Average Home Price: $445,753
Average Rent: $1,458
More on Hialeah: Data | Crime | Cost Of Living | Real Estate
I love cape coral Florida because it is beautiful and warm. I love that it is right on the water. I love going boating in the canals. The prices at the store and restaurants are very reasonable. It is actually a pretty inexpensive place to live. We hope to move to Cape Coral Florida when we retire.
I love that you get to enjoy the sunshine and water. We like to go boating when we are there. I loved that there are lots of things to do, but you don’t have the tourists like you do in other parts of Florida.
/10
Overall SnackAbility
Population: 198,912
Median Income: $72,474
Average Home Price: $394,398
Average Rent: $1,630
More on Cape Coral: Data | Crime | Cost Of Living | Real Estate
This is a very nice and beautiful place to live. Their beaches are even more beautiful.
I love the beaches and the boardwalk in Hollywood they have nice restaurants.
/10
Overall SnackAbility
Population: 152,764
Median Income: $61,958
Average Home Price: $452,509
Average Rent: $1,463
More on Hollywood: Data | Crime | Cost Of Living | Real Estate
The crime wasn’t bad when we visited there and I loved the beach.
I loved the alligator crossing and fish reservoir. The beaches were very clean.
/10
Overall SnackAbility
Population: 116,984
Median Income: $59,358
Average Home Price: $370,771
Average Rent: $1,389
More on Clearwater: Data | Crime | Cost Of Living | Real Estate
/10
Overall SnackAbility
Population: 121,513
Median Income: $62,538
Average Home Price: $313,458
Average Rent: $1,345
More on Palm Bay: Data | Crime | Cost Of Living | Real Estate
/10
Overall SnackAbility
Population: 114,745
Median Income: $134,139
Average Home Price: $1,449,918
Average Rent: $2,477
More on Carlsbad: Data | Crime | Cost Of Living | Real Estate
Coral Springs is a suburban neighborhood, surrounded by commercial properties. In other words, it is a small city. It is an expensive place to live. There are hardly any violent crimes. It is safe to walk around at any time. The main crimes are burglaries, shoplifting, or car theft. The police are very active to ensure that suspicious people are questioned. Traffic laws are enforced strictly.
It gets real hot and humid in May until September. It rains hard almost every day in the summer time. There are many insects that live in the grass and could crawl or fly into your residence.
/10
Overall SnackAbility
Population: 133,801
Median Income: $87,488
Average Home Price: $536,819
Average Rent: $1,818
More on Coral Springs: Data | Crime | Cost Of Living | Real Estate
/10
Overall SnackAbility
Population: 145,454
Median Income: $109,554
Average Home Price: $1,140,607
Average Rent: $2,132
More on Torrance: Data | Crime | Cost Of Living | Real Estate
Methodology: How We Determined The Best Places To Retire In The US
To create our list of the best cities in America to retire, we used Saturday Night Science.
Step one was to limit our analysis to all the cities in America with over 100,000 people. This left us with 283 cities nationwide.
For these 283, we looked at the following criteria taken from the Census, the FBI’s Crime Report, National Weather Service, and OpenFlights:
- Things to do per capita (Museum, Libraries, and Colleges)
- Crimes per capita (lower is better)
- Distance to closest airport
- Median age (higher is better)
- Median rent (lower is better)
- Weather (Warmer and less rainy)
- Cost of living (lower is better)
We then ranked each of these places for each criterion from one to 283, with the lowest number being the best for retirees.
Finally, we took the average rank across these criteria. The place, in this case Pembroke Pines, with the lowest average rank, was crowned the best of the best to retire — a place for you to start your second career.
We updated this article for 2024. This is our tenth time ranking the best cities to retire to in America.
Summary: The Best Cities To Retire Around The United States
After measuring the kinds of things that retirees crave, we arrived at this set of the best places to retire in the US. And while Florida and California don’t dominate the list, we take that as a sign we figured out the hidden gems you should be considering.
The best cities to retire in the United States are Pembroke Pines, FL, Miramar, FL, Hialeah, FL, Cape Coral, FL, Hollywood, FL, Clearwater, FL, Palm Bay, FL, Carlsbad, CA, Coral Springs, FL, and Torrance, CA.
My plan now for retirement? Find a nice place in one of these low costs of living areas near a lake and set up shot — but maybe closer to the equator than not.
And for those playing at home, here’s a look at the “worst” cities in America to retire:
- Fargo
- South Bend
- Springfield
For more reading, check out:
Best Cities To Retire In The United States For 2024
| Rank | City | Population | Median Income | Average Home Price | Medin Rent |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Pembroke Pines, FL | 170,472 | $77,657 | $485,196 | $1,787 |
| 2 | Miramar, FL | 135,158 | $81,812 | $506,754 | $1,840 |
| 3 | Hialeah, FL | 222,996 | $49,531 | $445,753 | $1,458 |
| 4 | Cape Coral, FL | 198,912 | $72,474 | $394,398 | $1,630 |
| 5 | Hollywood, FL | 152,764 | $61,958 | $452,509 | $1,463 |
| 6 | Clearwater, FL | 116,984 | $59,358 | $370,771 | $1,389 |
| 7 | Palm Bay, FL | 121,513 | $62,538 | $313,458 | $1,345 |
| 8 | Carlsbad, CA | 114,745 | $134,139 | $1,449,918 | $2,477 |
| 9 | Coral Springs, FL | 133,801 | $87,488 | $536,819 | $1,818 |
| 10 | Torrance, CA | 145,454 | $109,554 | $1,140,607 | $2,132 |
| 11 | Port St. Lucie, FL | 210,520 | $75,040 | $391,794 | $1,684 |
| 12 | Rancho Cucamonga, CA | 174,696 | $105,534 | $736,775 | $2,184 |
| 13 | Thousand Oaks, CA | 126,532 | $125,399 | $1,001,691 | $2,483 |
| 14 | San Diego, CA | 1,383,987 | $98,657 | $955,846 | $2,080 |
| 15 | Simi Valley, CA | 126,153 | $112,144 | $801,530 | $2,402 |
| 16 | Cary, NC | 174,880 | $125,317 | $600,101 | $1,538 |
| 17 | Chula Vista, CA | 276,103 | $101,984 | $809,308 | $2,035 |
| 18 | Sugar Land, TX | 110,077 | $132,247 | $431,661 | $1,868 |
| 19 | Davie, FL | 105,821 | $84,346 | $517,729 | $1,805 |
| 20 | Carrollton, TX | 132,284 | $95,380 | $410,598 | $1,555 |
| 21 | Glendale, CA | 194,512 | $81,219 | $1,134,103 | $2,002 |
| 22 | West Palm Beach, FL | 117,588 | $64,044 | $417,563 | $1,614 |
| 23 | Miami, FL | 443,665 | $54,858 | $569,425 | $1,494 |
| 24 | Frisco, TX | 202,075 | $144,567 | $650,075 | $1,803 |
| 25 | Fort Lauderdale, FL | 182,673 | $75,376 | $534,210 | $1,627 |
| 26 | Allen, TX | 105,444 | $121,259 | $506,564 | $1,747 |
| 27 | Surprise, AZ | 145,591 | $87,756 | $432,141 | $1,822 |
| 28 | Huntington Beach, CA | 197,481 | $114,747 | $1,206,669 | $2,318 |
| 29 | Plano, TX | 284,948 | $105,679 | $503,025 | $1,699 |
| 30 | Tampa, FL | 388,768 | $66,802 | $391,344 | $1,422 |
| 31 | Henderson, NV | 318,063 | $85,311 | $461,416 | $1,641 |
| 32 | Miami Gardens, FL | 111,618 | $56,071 | $440,066 | $1,583 |
| 33 | Scottsdale, AZ | 240,537 | $104,197 | $798,175 | $1,768 |
| 34 | Quincy, MA | 100,981 | $90,668 | $617,826 | $1,901 |
| 35 | West Covina, CA | 108,173 | $96,219 | $785,843 | $2,054 |
| 36 | Chandler, AZ | 275,618 | $99,374 | $519,175 | $1,675 |
| 37 | Pompano Beach, FL | 111,790 | $61,155 | $363,916 | $1,527 |
| 38 | St. Petersburg, FL | 259,343 | $70,333 | $375,897 | $1,410 |
| 39 | San Jose, CA | 1,001,176 | $136,010 | $1,330,692 | $2,526 |
| 40 | Gilbert, AZ | 267,267 | $115,179 | $566,231 | $1,839 |
| 41 | Santa Clarita, CA | 225,850 | $116,186 | $773,299 | $2,315 |
| 42 | Pasadena, CA | 137,554 | $97,818 | $1,092,011 | $2,100 |
| 43 | Elk Grove, CA | 176,105 | $115,864 | $627,121 | $2,076 |
| 44 | Orange, CA | 138,728 | $109,335 | $991,595 | $2,148 |
| 45 | Fremont, CA | 228,795 | $169,023 | $1,413,076 | $2,824 |
| 46 | Charleston, SC | 149,960 | $83,891 | $530,719 | $1,517 |
| 47 | Sandy Springs, GA | 107,221 | $93,303 | $636,700 | $1,670 |
| 48 | Roseville, CA | 148,879 | $112,265 | $625,711 | $1,940 |
| 49 | Mckinney, TX | 196,160 | $113,286 | $506,871 | $1,740 |
| 50 | Menifee, CA | 103,680 | $87,871 | $554,315 | $1,946 |
| 51 | El Cajon, CA | 105,721 | $64,128 | $773,026 | $1,686 |
| 52 | Garden Grove, CA | 171,637 | $86,139 | $867,160 | $1,887 |
| 53 | Inglewood, CA | 106,806 | $67,563 | $724,865 | $1,666 |
| 54 | Oceanside, CA | 173,722 | $86,701 | $824,796 | $2,078 |
| 55 | Hayward, CA | 160,602 | $105,371 | $845,438 | $2,260 |
| 56 | Sunnyvale, CA | 154,573 | $174,506 | $1,875,596 | $2,990 |
| 57 | Murrieta, CA | 111,899 | $106,925 | $661,427 | $2,150 |
| 58 | Escondido, CA | 151,114 | $77,554 | $810,764 | $1,833 |
| 59 | Centennial, CO | 107,702 | $124,617 | $630,996 | $1,949 |
| 60 | Naperville, IL | 149,089 | $143,754 | $527,805 | $1,787 |
| 61 | Pearland, TX | 124,478 | $111,123 | $367,684 | $1,622 |
| 62 | Corona, CA | 158,346 | $103,727 | $721,686 | $2,020 |
| 63 | Virginia Beach, VA | 457,900 | $87,544 | $384,137 | $1,568 |
| 64 | Irvine, CA | 304,527 | $122,948 | $1,331,528 | $2,749 |
| 65 | Los Angeles, CA | 3,881,041 | $76,244 | $926,593 | $1,791 |
| 66 | Ontario, CA | 176,326 | $78,070 | $627,446 | $1,826 |
| 67 | Alexandria, VA | 157,594 | $113,179 | $611,500 | $1,983 |
| 68 | Santa Rosa, CA | 178,221 | $92,604 | $708,139 | $2,024 |
| 69 | Yonkers, NY | 209,780 | $78,208 | $616,101 | $1,659 |
| 70 | El Monte, CA | 108,682 | $59,929 | $705,480 | $1,605 |
| 71 | Stamford, CT | 135,413 | $100,718 | $611,989 | $2,129 |
| 72 | Clovis, CA | 120,607 | $98,554 | $497,595 | $1,482 |
| 73 | Temecula, CA | 110,114 | $111,881 | $727,416 | $2,222 |
| 74 | Santa Clara, CA | 128,058 | $165,352 | $1,524,900 | $2,841 |
| 75 | Round Rock, TX | 120,465 | $91,888 | $436,302 | $1,586 |
| 76 | Downey, CA | 113,052 | $84,236 | $809,809 | $1,814 |
| 77 | Sparks, NV | 108,025 | $82,938 | $489,899 | $1,526 |
| 78 | Fontana, CA | 209,279 | $93,230 | $592,297 | $1,616 |
| 79 | Vacaville, CA | 101,631 | $106,764 | $599,476 | $2,141 |
| 80 | Mesa, AZ | 503,390 | $73,766 | $431,607 | $1,352 |
| 81 | Richardson, TX | 118,063 | $94,362 | $436,131 | $1,725 |
| 82 | Concord, CA | 125,007 | $107,789 | $754,708 | $2,137 |
| 83 | El Paso, TX | 677,181 | $55,710 | $213,288 | $976 |
| 84 | New York, NY | 8,622,467 | $76,607 | $733,006 | $1,714 |
| 85 | Orlando, FL | 307,738 | $66,292 | $373,263 | $1,509 |
| 86 | Lewisville, TX | 125,028 | $82,006 | $395,721 | $1,455 |
| 87 | Wilmington, NC | 116,933 | $58,908 | $390,034 | $1,213 |
| 88 | Mcallen, TX | 142,722 | $56,326 | $216,705 | $955 |
| 89 | Laredo, TX | 255,293 | $60,928 | $206,477 | $968 |
| 90 | Grand Prairie, TX | 197,279 | $76,626 | $317,988 | $1,381 |
| 91 | Fullerton, CA | 142,280 | $99,279 | $936,138 | $1,989 |
| 92 | Long Beach, CA | 462,293 | $78,995 | $799,165 | $1,698 |
| 93 | Oakland, CA | 437,825 | $94,389 | $790,956 | $1,849 |
| 94 | Chesapeake, VA | 249,377 | $92,703 | $374,172 | $1,446 |
| 95 | Irving, TX | 254,962 | $76,686 | $337,139 | $1,423 |
| 96 | Antioch, CA | 115,016 | $90,709 | $607,514 | $2,150 |
| 97 | Midland, TX | 132,490 | $90,448 | $290,629 | $1,400 |
| 98 | Anaheim, CA | 347,111 | $88,538 | $844,174 | $1,958 |
| 99 | Jacksonville, FL | 950,203 | $64,138 | $293,086 | $1,281 |
| 100 | Lynn, MA | 100,653 | $70,046 | $511,699 | $1,511 |
Retire Places By State
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