News Summary
Orlando, Florida, has been recognized as the best city for retirees in the United States for 2025, according to a report by WalletHub. The analysis evaluated over 180 cities on factors like affordability, recreational options, healthcare, and quality of life. Orlando’s favorable tax environment and accessibility to healthcare services make it an appealing destination for retirees. Other top cities include Scottsdale, Minneapolis, Miami, and Tampa, reaffirming Florida’s dominance in attracting retirees.
Orlando, Florida has been recognized as the best city for retirees in the United States for 2025, according to a recent report released by WalletHub. The analysis assessed over 180 cities based on various metrics that consider affordability, recreational activities, quality of life, and health care. Orlando’s tax-friendly environment, comprising no income, estate, or inheritance taxes, greatly contributes to its appeal as a retirement destination.
Despite Orlando not having the lowest overall cost of living, it stands out as the ninth-cheapest city for homemaker services and the 20th-cheapest for adult day health care. This affordability in essential services makes it an attractive option for many retirees. Furthermore, Orlando ranks third overall for recreational activities, benefitting from a wide variety of options including numerous music venues, fishing facilities, art galleries, and opportunities for adult volunteer work.
Health care availability is another significant factor in Orlando’s ranking. The city ranks 19th in the number of gerontologists and has the sixth-highest number of home health care facilities per capita in the country. Its hospitals, particularly those specializing in geriatrics, earned a ranking of seventh nationwide, ensuring elderly residents have access to quality care.
Florida continues to dominate the list of top retirement destinations, with Orlando leading the charge. Other cities in Florida that were ranked high include Miami in fourth place, Tampa in fifth, and Fort Lauderdale in seventh. This reinforces Florida’s status as a prime choice for retirees, maintaining three cities in the top five of WalletHub’s report despite some fluctuations, particularly in Fort Lauderdale’s ranking, which has declined due to lower ratings in affordability and health care.
Other cities outside of Florida also made the top rankings, with Scottsdale, Arizona, taking the second spot, noted for its plethora of activities appealing to retirees and favorable tax conditions. Meanwhile, Minneapolis, Minnesota, came in third, praised for its senior-friendly job market, where over 22% of its workforce is comprised of individuals aged 65 and older.
The information used for the report was derived from various credible data sources, including the U.S. Census, Bureau of Labor Statistics, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The study underscores the importance of selecting retirement locations that reduce tax burdens and expenses while offering opportunities for additional income.
The top five cities for retirees in 2025, according to the WalletHub report, are Orlando, Scottsdale, Minneapolis, Miami, and Tampa. As the retirement landscape evolves, WalletHub continues to aid potential retirees by annually releasing this comprehensive ‘Best & Worst Places to Retire’ report, empowering individuals to make informed choices about where they settle down in their later years.
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
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Florida Jumps to 6th Place in U.S. News Best States Rankings
Seventeen Florida Cities Recognized in Best Places to Live Ranking
Affordable Retirement Living: Best Florida Cities for Budget-Conscious Seniors
Additional Resources
- USA Today: Best Retirement Cities in America 2025
- Wikipedia: Retirement
- 401k Specialist: Best and Worst Cities for Retirement 2025
- Google Search: Best Retirement Cities in America
- Jacksonville.com: Jacksonville Compared to Other Florida Cities for Retirement
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Retirement
- Newsweek: Best Places to Retire in the US
- Google News: 2025 Best Retirement Cities
Author: STAFF HERE PETERSBURG WRITER
ST PETERSBURG STAFF WRITER The ST PETERSBURG STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREStPetersburg.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in St Petersburg, Pinellas County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as Grand Prix of St. Petersburg, Localtopia, and SHINE Mural Festival. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the St. Petersburg Area Chamber of Commerce and St. Pete Downtown Partnership, plus leading businesses in finance, manufacturing, and healthcare that power the local economy such as Raymond James Financial, Jabil, and Bayfront Health St. Petersburg. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREJacksonville.com, HEREOrlando.com, HERETallahassee.com, and HERETampa.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Florida's dynamic landscape.
