{"id":36020,"date":"2025-10-21T20:11:21","date_gmt":"2025-10-21T20:11:21","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/agooka.com\/news\/usa\/the-10-best-and-10-worst-cities-for-retirees-in-2025\/"},"modified":"2025-10-21T20:11:21","modified_gmt":"2025-10-21T20:11:21","slug":"the-10-best-and-10-worst-cities-for-retirees-in-2025","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/agooka.com\/news\/usa\/the-10-best-and-10-worst-cities-for-retirees-in-2025\/","title":{"rendered":"The 10 best and 10 worst cities for retirees in 2025"},"content":{"rendered":"<figure><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/i.insider.com\/68f6a8391c1f80efbec5ed4f?format=jpeg\" alt=\"An aerial view of two people walking on the beach.\"\/><figcaption>\n<p>Abstract Aerial Art\/Getty Images<\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<ul>\n<li>WalletHub ranked 182 cities to find the best and worst ones for retirees in 2025.<\/li>\n<li>Activities, affordability, healthcare, and quality of life were the key measurements in ranking.<\/li>\n<li>Cities in Florida excelled, while ones in California struggled with high costs and weak healthcare.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>When it&#039;s time to retire, a lot of older adults migrate south for warmer climates, cheaper housing, and lower taxes.<\/p>\n<p>While southern cities like Naples and Fort Lauderdale often dominate as destinations for retirees, the Midwest has emerged as a favorable landing spot \u2014 at least, according to WalletHub.<\/p>\n<p>WalletHub looked at 182 cities and ranked the best places for retirees based on four key measures: activities, affordability, healthcare, and quality of life. Each of those four categories was weighted equally, however, other relevant metrics were used inside each category and weighted differently. For example, adjusted cost of living was weighted higher than annual cost of in-home services within the affordability category.<\/p>\n<p>&quot;Rounding out the top 10 are cities that balance affordability, access to quality care, and vibrant lifestyles,&quot; WalletHub writer and analyst Chip Lupo told Business Insider. &quot;These locales all tend to offer a mix of mild weather, strong local economies, and plenty of ways for retirees to stay active and connected.&quot;<\/p>\n<p>Unsurprisingly, Florida accounted for nearly half of the top 10 for best cities, while California took up more than half of the spots for the worst cities to retire in.<\/p>\n<p>&quot;On the flip side, the bottom 10 cities face challenges that make retirement less appealing. San Bernardino, California; Stockton, California; and Rancho Cucamonga, California, rank among the lowest because of their high costs of living and weaker healthcare access,&quot; Lupo said.<\/p>\n<p>Southern cities had a healthy showing in the top 10, but the Midwest also had a diverse selection of cities toward the top.<\/p>\n<p>&quot;Minneapolis, which ranks third, stands out for its strong healthcare system, active senior community, and welcoming job market for older adults,&quot; Lupo said.<\/p>\n<p>Here are the 10 best and 10 worst cities to retire in, according to WalletHub. Median listed home prices are from Realtor.com.<\/p>\n<p>The 10 best cities for retirees<\/p>\n<figure><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/i.insider.com\/68de7beecc993f9955cf5f81?format=jpeg\" alt=\"Fort Lauderdale, FL\"\/><figcaption>\n<p>THEPALMER\/Getty Images<\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>10. Casper, WY<\/p>\n<figure><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/i.insider.com\/68f6a057cc993f9955d08834?format=jpeg\" alt=\"A scenic view of mountains and water in Casper, Wyoming.\"\/><figcaption>Casper, Wyoming.<\/p>\n<p>Wirestock\/Getty Images<\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p><strong>Affordability rank:<\/strong> 1<\/p>\n<p><strong>Healthcare rank: <\/strong>74<\/p>\n<p><strong>Median listing home price:<\/strong> $345,000<\/p>\n<p>9. Madison, WI<\/p>\n<figure><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/i.insider.com\/68f6a53b1c1f80efbec5ecd7?format=jpeg\" alt=\"The capitol building in Madison, Wisconsin.\"\/><figcaption>Madison, Wisconsin.<\/p>\n<p>RudyBalasko\/Getty Images<\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p><strong>Affordability rank:<\/strong> 107<\/p>\n<p><strong>Healthcare rank: <\/strong>8<\/p>\n<p><strong>Median listing home price:<\/strong> $420,000<\/p>\n<p>8. Cincinnati, OH<\/p>\n<figure><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/i.insider.com\/68f6a4d15dbc4fd10dab2f2b?format=jpeg\" alt=\"The Cincinnati skyline from the Ohio River.\"\/><figcaption>Cincinnati, Ohio.<\/p>\n<p>Flick Foto Studio\/Getty Images<\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p><strong>Affordability rank:<\/strong> 104<\/p>\n<p><strong>Healthcare rank:<\/strong> 50<\/p>\n<p><strong>Median listing home price:<\/strong> $295,000<\/p>\n<p>7. Fort Lauderdale, FL<\/p>\n<figure><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/i.insider.com\/6525c8aa55f52b01b35bc039?format=jpeg\" alt=\"Aerial View of Fort Lauderdale, Florida.\"\/><figcaption>Aerial View of Fort Lauderdale, Florida.<\/p>\n<p>GabrielPevide\/Getty Images<\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p><strong>Affordability rank:<\/strong> 79<\/p>\n<p><strong>Healthcare rank:<\/strong> 47<\/p>\n<p><strong>Median listing home price:<\/strong> $599,000<\/p>\n<p>6. Atlanta, GA<\/p>\n<figure><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/i.insider.com\/68dd884f1c1f80efbec4bbfe?format=jpeg\" alt=\"Atlanta, Georgia.\"\/><figcaption>Atlanta, Georgia.<\/p>\n<p>Sean Pavone\/Shutterstock<\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p><strong>Affordability rank:<\/strong> 66<\/p>\n<p><strong>Healthcare rank:<\/strong> 56<\/p>\n<p><strong>Median listing home price:<\/strong> $370,000<\/p>\n<p>5. Tampa, FL<\/p>\n<figure><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/i.insider.com\/6830f72b6ffb6822ec616d5f?format=jpeg\" alt=\"Tampa skyline\"\/><figcaption>Tampa is among the Florida destinations booming with business travelers.<\/p>\n<p>RudyBalasko\/Getty Images<\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p><strong>Affordability rank:<\/strong> 45<\/p>\n<p><strong>Healthcare rank:<\/strong> 106<\/p>\n<p><strong>Median listing home price:<\/strong> $469,900<\/p>\n<p>4. Miami, FL<\/p>\n<figure><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/i.insider.com\/68dd8813cc993f9955cf572b?format=jpeg\" alt=\"Miami, Florida.\"\/><figcaption>Miami, Florida<\/p>\n<p>Bilanol\/Shutterstock<\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p><strong>Affordability rank:<\/strong> 76<\/p>\n<p><strong>Healthcare rank:<\/strong> 26<\/p>\n<p><strong>Median listing home price:<\/strong> $625,000<\/p>\n<p>3. Minneapolis, MN<\/p>\n<figure><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/i.insider.com\/68dd8da61c1f80efbec4bce0?format=jpeg\" alt=\"Minneapolis, Minnesota.\"\/><figcaption>Minneapolis, Minnesota.<\/p>\n<p>Sean Pavone\/Shutterstock<\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p><strong>Affordability rank:<\/strong> 96<\/p>\n<p><strong>Healthcare rank:<\/strong> 13<\/p>\n<p><strong>Median listing home price:<\/strong> $329,000<\/p>\n<p>2. Scottsdale, AZ<\/p>\n<figure><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/i.insider.com\/68f6a3b45dbc4fd10dab2efc?format=jpeg\" alt=\"The desert in Scottsdale, Arizona.\"\/><figcaption>Scottsdale, Arizona.<\/p>\n<p>miroslav_1\/Getty Images<\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p><strong>Affordability rank:<\/strong> 116<\/p>\n<p><strong>Healthcare rank:<\/strong> 40<\/p>\n<p><strong>Median listing home price:<\/strong> $1,100,000<\/p>\n<p>1. Orlando, FL<\/p>\n<figure><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/i.insider.com\/6818dc19c6ad288d148001c3?format=jpeg\" alt=\"Orlando, Florida\"\/><figcaption>Orlando, Florida<\/p>\n<p>JillianCain\/Getty Images<\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p><strong>Affordability rank:<\/strong> 5<\/p>\n<p><strong>Healthcare rank:<\/strong> 14<\/p>\n<p><strong>Median listing home price:<\/strong> $385,000<\/p>\n<p>The 10 worst cities for retirees<\/p>\n<figure><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/i.insider.com\/68f696825dbc4fd10dab2cf5?format=jpeg\" alt=\"Near the river in Newark, New Jersey\"\/><figcaption>Newark, New Jersey.<\/p>\n<p>Sean Pavone\/Getty Images\/iStockphoto<\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>10. Bridgeport, Connecticut<\/p>\n<figure><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/i.insider.com\/68f6947c5dbc4fd10dab2c9d?format=jpeg\" alt=\"Downtown Bridgeport, Connecticut, at night.\"\/><figcaption>Bridgeport, Connecticut<\/p>\n<p>DenisTangneyJr\/Getty Images<\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Affordability rank: <\/strong>175<\/li>\n<li><strong>Healthcare rank: <\/strong>11<\/li>\n<li><strong>Median listing home price: <\/strong>$360,000<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>9. Salem, Oregon<\/p>\n<figure><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/i.insider.com\/68f649545dbc4fd10dab23aa?format=jpeg\" alt=\"Salem, Oregon.\"\/><figcaption>Salem, Oregon.<\/p>\n<p>Sean Pavone\/Shutterstock<\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Affordability rank: <\/strong>127<\/li>\n<li><strong>Healthcare rank: <\/strong>146<\/li>\n<li><strong>Median listing home price: <\/strong>$485,000<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>8. Pearl City, Hawaii<\/p>\n<figure><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/i.insider.com\/68f697495dbc4fd10dab2d32?format=jpeg\" alt=\"Train tracks in Pearl City, Hawaii.\"\/><figcaption>Pearl City, Hawaii.<\/p>\n<p>Kent Nishimura\/Getty Images<\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Affordability rank: <\/strong>180<\/li>\n<li><strong>Healthcare rank: <\/strong>104<\/li>\n<li><strong>Median listing home price:<\/strong> $622,000<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>7. Fontana, California<\/p>\n<figure><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/i.insider.com\/68f693fd5dbc4fd10dab2c83?format=jpeg\" alt=\"A neighborhood in Fontana, California\"\/><figcaption>Fontana, California.<\/p>\n<p>MattGush\/Getty Images\/iStockphoto<\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Affordability rank: <\/strong>172<\/li>\n<li><strong>Healthcare rank:<\/strong> 147<\/li>\n<li><strong>Median listing home price: <\/strong>$669,000<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>6. Fresno, California<\/p>\n<figure><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/i.insider.com\/68f693c01c1f80efbec5e9fe?format=jpeg\" alt=\"Aerial view of Fresno, California.\"\/><figcaption>Fresno, California.<\/p>\n<p>Dee Liu\/Getty Images<\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Affordability rank: <\/strong>125<\/li>\n<li><strong>Healthcare rank: <\/strong>144<\/li>\n<li><strong>Median listing home price: <\/strong>$410,000<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>5. Newark, New Jersey<\/p>\n<figure><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/i.insider.com\/68f693611c1f80efbec5e9f1?format=jpeg\" alt=\"Aerial view of Newark, New Jersey\"\/><figcaption>Newark, New Jersey<\/p>\n<p>Barry Winiker\/Getty Images<\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Affordability rank: <\/strong>156<\/li>\n<li><strong>Healthcare rank: <\/strong>134<\/li>\n<li><strong>Median listing home price:<\/strong> $419,900<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>4. Bakersfield, California<\/p>\n<figure><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/i.insider.com\/68f69290cc993f9955d085ca?format=jpeg\" alt=\"The city of Bakersfield, California.\"\/><figcaption>Bakersfield, California.<\/p>\n<p>Dee Liu\/Getty Images<\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Affordability rank: <\/strong>113<\/li>\n<li><strong>Healthcare rank: <\/strong>169<\/li>\n<li><strong>Median listing home price: <\/strong>$420,000<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>3. Rancho Cucamonga, California<\/p>\n<figure><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/i.insider.com\/68f692625dbc4fd10dab2c43?format=jpeg\" alt=\"Aerial view of suburbs in Rancho Cucamonga, California.\"\/><figcaption>Rancho Cucamonga, California.<\/p>\n<p>MattGush\/Getty Images\/iStockphoto<\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Affordability rank: <\/strong>163<\/li>\n<li><strong>Healthcare rank: <\/strong>128<\/li>\n<li><strong>Median listing home price: <\/strong>$799,000<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>2. Stockton, California<\/p>\n<figure><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/i.insider.com\/68f692345dbc4fd10dab2c3f?format=jpeg\" alt=\"Aerial views of government buildings in Stockton, California.\"\/><figcaption>Stockton, California.<\/p>\n<p>halbergman\/Getty Images<\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Affordability rank: <\/strong>133<\/li>\n<li><strong>Healthcare rank: <\/strong>157<\/li>\n<li><strong>Median listing home price: <\/strong>$454,900<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>1. San Bernardino, California<\/p>\n<figure><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/i.insider.com\/68f6916ccc993f9955d085a7?format=jpeg\" alt=\"Aerial view of San Bernardino city.\"\/><figcaption>San Bernardino, California.<\/p>\n<p>Dee Liu\/Getty Images<\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Affordability rank:<\/strong> 157<\/li>\n<li><strong>Healthcare rank: <\/strong>174<\/li>\n<li><strong>Median listing home price: <\/strong>$515,000<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Read the original article on Business Insider<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Abstract Aerial Art\/Getty Images WalletHub ranked 182 cities to find the best and worst ones for retirees in 2025. Activities, affordability, healthcare, and quality of life were the key measurements in ranking. Cities in Florida excelled, while ones in California struggled with high costs and weak healthcare. When it&#039;s time to retire, a lot of [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":36021,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[20],"tags":[],"class_list":{"0":"post-36020","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-usa"},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/agooka.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/36020","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/agooka.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/agooka.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/agooka.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/agooka.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=36020"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/agooka.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/36020\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/agooka.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/36021"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/agooka.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=36020"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/agooka.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=36020"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/agooka.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=36020"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}