Posted: September 23, 2026 | Source: wflaorlando.iheart.com

Given the state’s legendary appeal to retirees, it is no surprise that Florida is home to the top three retirement cities in the US, with Orlando first, Miami second, and Tampa third.

WalletHub, a personal finance startup, has conducted research comparing 182 US metro areas based on 45 important criteria in four main categories: healthcare, activities, affordability, and quality of life. Orlando ranked No. 2 for affordability, 17th for activities, 77th for quality of life, and 11th for healthcare. Miami ranked first for art galleries and fishing facilities per capita, sixth for walkability, and seventh for adult volunteer options. Tampa has the 19th-lowest property crime rate and ninth-highest number of bingo halls per capita. Due to the state’s low taxes overall and lack of income or estate taxes, all three cities also scored points for being tax-friendly.