by Mike Colpitts 
Year round sunshine and lots of recreational activities like boating, golf and swimming push Florida to become the best state to retire.
- The Sunshine State was selected as the Best State to Retire in a major annual survey even as the cost of living surpasses others.
- Declining home prices should begin to lower the cost of living with almost a half a million new residents moving to Florida so far in 2025 alone.
Offering year-round sunshine and warmer weather, Florida is the best state to retire, according to WalletHub’s 2025 Best States for Retirement report. The Sunshine state offers a higher quality of life and more activities than any other state in the country.
Florida’s combination of warm weather, miles of coastline and a tax-friendly environment that doesn’t have state income tax keeps it at No. 1. Florida stands out for its beaches and recreational options and it also stands out for what it lacks: state income, inheritance and estate taxes.
“There’s a lot of talk in Florida now about doing away with property taxes, which would make it even more appealing to retirees,” said WalletHub analyst Chip Lupo. Whether the Florida state legislature does away with state property tax is another issue all together. There are currently eight options before state lawmakers to consider to cut state property taxes.
None of them would actually do away with state property taxes altogether. But the eight options provide different alternatives to cutting property taxes. Lawmakers will take up the possibilities at their next legislative meeting.
The financial advantages to living in Florida are multifaceted, and the fishing and boating aren’t bad either. The cost of living is projected to be less expensive in coming years in Florida as the price of real estate declines. Rents are already being reduced by many landlords, many of whom rent to snowbirds during winter months.
The financial advantages, coupled with a strong infrastructure for older residents, are making Florida best state to retire. The state has the nation’s highest percentage of residents aged 55 and older. The senior population in Florida is growing, with the number of seniors increasing every year, according to the U.S. Census Bureau.
Florida saw its population surge by 467,000 people so far in 2025, the largest single-year gain in over a decade, according to the U.S. Census. Not only is the state’s weather a strong draw, but Florida’s current property taxes are relatively low compared to other states.
The Sunshine State has a lot more to offer than just beaches. Disney World, a wide variety of recreational activities, including the golf hub in Southwest Florida with more than 60 golf courses, and all the recreation that comes with the Gulf are just some of the draws.
WalletHub’s study ranked states using data from federal sources, measuring affordability, quality of life and health care comprising 46 indicators.
Other top-ranking states include Minnesota, Colorado, Wyoming and South Dakota – each excelling in different ways such as health care access and affordability. But for those who prize year-round sunshine and warmer weather, coastal recreation and financial advantages, Florida offers the ideal lifestyle for retirees looking to make the most of their golden years.