Miami Ranks 4th Best City to Retire in 2026, Per WalletHub

Three Florida cities make the top 5 list for retirees, highlighting the state's appeal for those seeking an affordable, active lifestyle.

Apr. 14, 2026 at 6:42pm

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An extremely blurred, impressionistic photograph of a lively Miami street scene, with palm trees, colorful buildings, and people walking, capturing the vibrant, sun-drenched atmosphere of the city.The warm, inviting atmosphere of Miami's streets offers retirees an active, affordable lifestyle in one of the top-ranked retirement destinations.Today in Orlando

According to a report by personal finance company WalletHub, Miami has been ranked the 4th best city in the United States for retirees in 2026. The rankings evaluated 182 cities across 45 key metrics, including cost of living, health infrastructure, and 'taxpayer friendliness.' Three Florida cities - Orlando, Miami, and Tampa - made the top 5, with Fort Lauderdale also ranking relatively high at #7.

Why it matters

As many retirees live on fixed incomes, choosing the right city to retire in is crucial. The best cities for retirees are those that minimize taxes and expenses, while also providing good opportunities for retirees to continue earning income if they choose to do so.

The details

To create their rankings, WalletHub evaluated 182 cities, including the 150 most populated cities in the U.S. as well as two of the most populated in each state. The cities were ranked across four key characteristics: affordability, activities, quality of life, and available healthcare. Miami scored an overall 58.63, with an affordability rank of 76, an activities rank of 5, a quality of life rank of 94, and a healthcare rank of 26. Fort Lauderdale, which ranked 7th overall, had a total score of 57.49 with an affordability rank of 79, an activities rank of 14, a quality of life rank of 60, and a healthcare rank of 47.

  • The WalletHub report was published in September 2026.

The players

WalletHub

A personal finance company that ranked the best and worst cities for retirement based on 45 key metrics.

Chip Lupo

An analyst with WalletHub who commented on the importance of choosing the right city to retire in based on factors like taxes, expenses, and opportunities for continued income.

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What they’re saying

“It's important to choose wisely when picking where to retire, as many retirees are on a fixed income. As a result, the best cities for retired people are those that minimize taxes and expenses, as well as have good opportunities for retirees to continue paid work for extra income, if they choose to do so.”

— Chip Lupo, Analyst

What’s next

WalletHub plans to release an updated ranking of the best cities for retirees in September 2027.

The takeaway

The rankings highlight Florida's appeal as a retirement destination, with three cities in the top 5 and Fort Lauderdale also ranking highly. Retirees seeking an affordable, active lifestyle with good healthcare access may find Miami and other Florida cities attractive options.