Retiring to Florida isn’t just a cliché or tired trope. Florida cities fill many spots on our list of the best beach cities for retirement. The lack of income or estate taxes, low property taxes, and a cost-of-living just 2% above the national average make it enticing for retirees on a fixed income.
Florida is also home to some of the nation’s best healthcare facilities, including the famed Mayo Clinic. Fourteen HCA Florida hospitals ranked amongst America’s 250 Best Hospitals for 2025 by Healthgrades, according to SouthFloridaHospitalNews.com.
If you’re looking to retire near a beach, Florida does, indeed, seem to have it all. But there are plenty of other options, as well, that blend affordability, leisure activities, and thriving 55+ communities. If the call of the ocean is strong, consider retiring to one of these top beach cities in the US or abroad.
Naples, FL
Naples, Florida, made the top of U.S. News & World Report’s list of best places to retire in 2025. This Gulf Coast city offers luxury shopping, golf, and – with a population with a median age of 67 – plenty of senior living communities and activities. Just two hours from Miami’s nightlife, Naples has a lower cost of living than many other Florida cities. An individual might expect to need around $48,000, according to data published by PODS.com, based on MIT’s Living Wage Calculator.
Virginia Beach, VA
For a more affordable alternative to luxurious Naples, head north to Virginia Beach. The city’s cost of living is 6.3% lower than the national average, with housing roughly 18% less, making it ideal for retirees looking to right-size their living arrangements. Groceries and transportation also cost less than the national average, although healthcare may cost more – an important factor for retirees to consider. There is no state tax on Social Security benefits. Virginia Beach offers plenty for seniors to do, including fishing, cycling or strolling the three-mile Boardwalk.
Sarasota, FL
Like other Gulf Coast cities, Sarasota boasts beautiful beaches, a vibrant arts and culture scene, and a lower cost of living and more laid-back lifestyle than Miami. Just hours from both Central Florida or the Florida Keys, Sarasota puts you close to theme parks and tourist attractions to explore. But you may just want to spend your days relaxing on the world-famous Siesta Key Beach, and that’s okay, too!
Gulfport, MS
HGTV recently named Gulfport, Mississippi, as a top beach town for retirees. With a cost-of-living 20% lower than the US average, Gulfport delivers “beach life without the big bills,” WAPT.com reported. Along with shopping, casinos, and gulf shore beaches, the city also provides plenty of attractions to entice the grandchildren to come visit, including an aquarium, train museum, and waterpark.
Almunecar, Spain
Travel & Leisure voted Almunecar the best beachside city in Spain to retire. Nearly 5% of its population are retired ex-patriates, so you’re likely to fit right in. The town has no wealth tax and reasonable rents, so your retirement savings will stretch further. In addition to breathtaking beaches, Almunecar is home to numerous historic sites so you can stay active playing a tourist in your hometown during your retirement.
Jacksonville, FL
Recently ranked by Nifty50Plus as one of the top vacation destinations for a multigenerational family, Jacksonville is also a great place to retire. The same attractions that drew your family to this northern Florida city could make you want to stay, and that includes the gorgeous Atlantic coast beach. Payscale.com lists Jacksonville’s cost of living as 8% cheaper than the national average, with housing and utilities 15% and 10% cheaper, respectively.
Charleston, SC
South Carolina does not tax Social Security and offers retirement income tax deductions for residents age 65+. Plus, if you own a home in the state, you may earn a tax exemption on the first $50,000 of your home’s value, according to ActsRetirement.org. If you are looking for an affordable, beachside city, Charleston is worth a look. With milder summers than southern Florida, vibrant cultural communities, and historic architecture, every day of retirement can feel like a vacation.
Pensacola, FL
Situated on the western tip of the Florida panhandle near Alabama, Pensacola is home to gorgeous Gulf Coast beaches. The median age of residents, which is 41.9, skews lower than some cities traditionally considered hubs for retirees, like Naples, but that may help keep you young-at-heart, as well. The cost of living in the area is 5.8% lower than the average for the US, according to CityofPensacola.com. If you’re looking for an alternative to southern Florida for retirement, while enjoying the state’s tax advantages, consider Pensacola.
Honolulu, HI
Honolulu, Hawaii, is not a cheap place to retire. But if you can afford it, the laidback, luxurious lifestyle can make it feel as if you’ve retired to paradise. You’ll need a gross income of roughly $55,000 per year to retire comfortably on your own, according to PODS.com. The state doesn’t tax Social Security income or public pensions, but does tax other retirement income. More than 20% of Honolulu’s residents were over 65 years old as of 2023, and that figure continues to grow, according to U.S. Census Data reported by Hawaii’s Department of Business, Economic Development & Tourism.
Cartagena, Colombia
Cartagena, Colombia is a beautiful city to visit on the Caribbean Coast, but you may like it so much you won’t want to leave. A couple can live comfortably on just around $2,000 per month, according to InternationalLiving.com, making it easy to survive on Social Security alone in the city. To qualify for a retirement visa in Colombia, you’ll need to show a minimum monthly income of around $970 USD, according to TaxesforExpats.com.
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