This week, WalletHub has issued its latest study examining the best places in the U.S. to retire.

And according to that ranking, the top three selections all hail from the Sunshine State.

To put together the list, WalletHub compared more than 180 cities using 45 measures. The study looked at costs, health care, quality of life and things to do.

Orlando received an overall score of 63.38. It ranked:

• No. 2 for affordability
• No. 11 for health care
• No. 17 for activities
• No. 77 for quality of life.

“Orlando, FL, is the best place to retire, living up to its reputation as a haven for seniors. One big reason for this is the lack of taxes, as Orlando is one of the most tax-friendly cities, and Florida does not have an estate or inheritance tax (or even income tax). In addition, while Orlando doesn’t have a particularly low cost of living, it is the 15th-cheapest city for homemaker services and the 20th-cheapest for adult day health care out of the more than 180 cities in our study.

In addition, Orlando provides a plethora of recreational activities for retirees, ranking as the second-best city for recreation overall. It has an especially high number of music venues, fishing facilities, art galleries and adult volunteer activities.

Finally, Orlando ranks 21st when it comes to gerontologists and eighth-highest for home health care facilities per capita. It also has the fourth-best hospitals for geriatrics, allowing elderly residents to receive quality care.”

WalletHub, “Best & Worst Places to Retire (2026)”

Miami and Tampa followed Orlando at No. 2 and No. 3.

“Miami, FL, is the second-best place to retire, in large part because it has an abundance of activities popular with retirees. For example, Miami ranks at the top of the country when it comes to adult volunteer activities, art galleries and fishing facilities per capita, and it has the 17th-most museums and 11th-most recreation and senior centers.

Tax-friendliness is another good reason to retire in Miami. As it’s located in Florida, it has no estate or inheritance taxes, no income taxes, and it ranks among the cheapest cities for taxes in general.

On top of that, Miami is the sixth-most walkable city in the country, and the vast majority of residents have access to quality public transportation within walking distance of their homes.

Tampa is the third-best place to retire, mainly because it is one of the most tax-friendly cities in the country and does not have an estate or inheritance tax. Tampa also offers retirees a greater sense of security. With the 19th-lowest property crime rate, providing a safer environment for older adults to enjoy their retirement.

Tampa also provides a welcoming environment for retirees, thanks to its abundance of recreational and social opportunities. It ranks as the fifth-best city for recreation in the nation, along with having the ninth-most bingo halls per capita. In addition, Tampa has the 11th-highest rate of adult volunteer activities, giving retirees plenty of opportunities to stay active, social and engaged in their communities.”

WalletHub, “Best & Worst Places to Retire (2026)”

Other cities in the top 10 included:

• No. 4: Scottsdale, AZ
• No. 5: Casper, WY
• No. 6: Atlanta, GA
• No. 7: Minneapolis, MN
• No. 8: Ft. Lauderdale, FL
• No. 9: Charleston, SC
• No. 10: Pittsburgh, PA

WalletHub analyst Chip Lupo said retirees should consider taxes and everyday expenses, especially because many people live on fixed incomes. Access to health care, activities and part-time work can also be important, he said.

The study found major differences in retirement costs. Brownsville, Texas, had the lowest adjusted cost of living. New York had the highest. In-home services cost about four times more in Cheyenne, Wyoming, than in Columbus, Ohio, Laredo, Texas, or Brownsville.

Stockton, California, ranked last overall.

Meanwhile, the full ranking of Florida cities on this year’s list is as follows: