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FLORIDA - Florida has secured its reputation as a retirement haven, topping WalletHub's list of best states to retire in 2025.
According to a comprehensive analysis by WalletHub, the study evaluated all 50 states based on three key factors—affordability, quality of life, and health care—analyzing 46 metrics like cost of living, access to in-home services, quality of medical care, and crime rates.
Florida's standout combination of senior-friendly financial policies, leisure opportunities, and well-funded senior programs pushed it to the top spot, beating out other top-ranking states like Minnesota, Colorado, Wyoming, and South Dakota.
Florida's affordability for retirees played a significant role in its ranking.
The state boasts no estate, inheritance, or income taxes, reducing the financial burden on seniors.
Additionally, Florida receives some of the highest funding for seniors through the Older Americans Act, supporting essential programs such as transportation, homemaker assistance, and nutrition services.
Beyond finances, Florida’s lifestyle offerings make it a paradise for retirees.
With the second-longest coastline in the U.S., retirees enjoy abundant beachside relaxation.
The state is also rich in recreational opportunities, ranking second for adult volunteer activities, fifth for theater companies, and seventh for golf courses and country clubs.
These factors contribute to a high quality of life and help keep seniors healthy and active.
WalletHub’s methodology for ranking states involved assigning a 100-point scale to 46 metrics across affordability, quality of life, and health care.
Metrics were weighted and adjusted to ensure fair comparisons, with population size factored in for certain indicators.
Each state’s cumulative score determined its rank, offering retirees a data-driven guide to choosing their ideal retirement destination.
Trailing Florida in the rankings were Minnesota, Colorado, Wyoming, and South Dakota, which rounded out the top five retirement-friendly states.
Meanwhile, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, Washington, and New Mexico landed in the bottom five.