Best places to retire in Florida
Written by:
April 10, 2021
realtor.com
Best places to retire in Florida
For many people, retirement is the reward after decades of working and raising a family. After all that anticipation, deciding where to spend that precious time can be a tough decision, so Stacker looked to data and rankings from Niche to compile a list of the best places to retire in Florida. Niche ranks places to retire based on a variety of factors including cost of living, health care, recreation, and weather. Listings and images are from realtor.com.
Many retirees seek out easy access to indoor and outdoor recreation, from walking trails and water access to museums and theaters. Many desirable retirement destinations also have good proximity to major cities, ripe with arts, culture, and health care resources. But those choice locations carry the key drawback of a high cost of living, often due to pricey housing costs, that will not suit retirees often on fixed incomes. Low crime rates make a difference, as well.
Keep reading to discover the best places to retire in Florida.
You may also like: People who retire comfortably avoid these financial advisor mistakes
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#25. Longboat Key
- Population: 7,283
- Median home value: $740,500 (94% own)
- Median rent: $1,625 (6% rent)
- Median household income: $114,762
- Pictured: 5965 Gulf of Mexico Dr, Longboat Key ($11.5 million, 7 bedrooms)
- Median home value: $740,500 (94% own)
- Median rent: $1,625 (6% rent)
- Median household income: $114,762
- Pictured: 5965 Gulf of Mexico Dr, Longboat Key ($11.5 million, 7 bedrooms)
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#24. Bee Ridge
- Population: 9,958
- Median home value: $245,600 (73% own)
- Median rent: $1,394 (27% rent)
- Median household income: $65,508
- Pictured: 4728 Acorn Cir, Sarasota ($2.1 million, 5 bedrooms)
- Median home value: $245,600 (73% own)
- Median rent: $1,394 (27% rent)
- Median household income: $65,508
- Pictured: 4728 Acorn Cir, Sarasota ($2.1 million, 5 bedrooms)
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#23. Iona
- Population: 14,118
- Median home value: $246,100 (70% own)
- Median rent: $1,376 (30% rent)
- Median household income: $58,075
- Pictured: 11460 Longwater Chase Ct, Fort Myers ($6.5 million, 6 bedrooms)
- Median home value: $246,100 (70% own)
- Median rent: $1,376 (30% rent)
- Median household income: $58,075
- Pictured: 11460 Longwater Chase Ct, Fort Myers ($6.5 million, 6 bedrooms)
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#22. North Redington Beach
- Population: 1,242
- Median home value: $616,500 (63% own)
- Median rent: $1,362 (37% rent)
- Median household income: $72,981
- Pictured: 260 Bath Club Blvd S, North Redington Beach ($2.5 million, 4 bedrooms)
- Median home value: $616,500 (63% own)
- Median rent: $1,362 (37% rent)
- Median household income: $72,981
- Pictured: 260 Bath Club Blvd S, North Redington Beach ($2.5 million, 4 bedrooms)
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#21. Brookridge
- Population: 4,412
- Median home value: $76,400 (87% own)
- Median rent: $996 (13% rent)
- Median household income: $42,099
- Pictured: 14324 Coralbean Ct, Brooksville ($279,900, 5 bedrooms)
- Median home value: $76,400 (87% own)
- Median rent: $996 (13% rent)
- Median household income: $42,099
- Pictured: 14324 Coralbean Ct, Brooksville ($279,900, 5 bedrooms)
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#20. Bal Harbour
- Population: 3,004
- Median home value: $1,267,600 (79% own)
- Median rent: $1,845 (21% rent)
- Median household income: $76,962
- Pictured: 182 Bal Bay Dr, Bal Harbour ($35.0 million, 8 bedrooms)
- Median home value: $1,267,600 (79% own)
- Median rent: $1,845 (21% rent)
- Median household income: $76,962
- Pictured: 182 Bal Bay Dr, Bal Harbour ($35.0 million, 8 bedrooms)
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#19. North River Shores
- Population: 3,874
- Median home value: $229,800 (84% own)
- Median rent: $1,223 (16% rent)
- Median household income: $58,250
- Pictured: 1785 NW Harbor Pl, Stuart ($2.3 million, 3 bedrooms)
- Median home value: $229,800 (84% own)
- Median rent: $1,223 (16% rent)
- Median household income: $58,250
- Pictured: 1785 NW Harbor Pl, Stuart ($2.3 million, 3 bedrooms)
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#18. St. Pete Beach
- Population: 9,587
- Median home value: $462,500 (75% own)
- Median rent: $1,103 (25% rent)
- Median household income: $76,516
- Pictured: 1307 Gulf Way, Saint Pete Beach ($4.3 million, 4 bedrooms)
- Median home value: $462,500 (75% own)
- Median rent: $1,103 (25% rent)
- Median household income: $76,516
- Pictured: 1307 Gulf Way, Saint Pete Beach ($4.3 million, 4 bedrooms)
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#17. Southgate
- Population: 7,817
- Median home value: $256,200 (71% own)
- Median rent: $1,396 (29% rent)
- Median household income: $58,663
- Pictured: 2133 Hyde Park, Sarasota ($1.2 million, 3 bedrooms)
- Median home value: $256,200 (71% own)
- Median rent: $1,396 (29% rent)
- Median household income: $58,663
- Pictured: 2133 Hyde Park, Sarasota ($1.2 million, 3 bedrooms)
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#16. Naples
- Population: 21,812
- Median home value: $988,500 (78% own)
- Median rent: $1,357 (22% rent)
- Median household income: $107,013
- Pictured: 4540 Gordon Dr, Naples ($49.5 million, 4 bedrooms)
- Median home value: $988,500 (78% own)
- Median rent: $1,357 (22% rent)
- Median household income: $107,013
- Pictured: 4540 Gordon Dr, Naples ($49.5 million, 4 bedrooms)
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#15. Englewood
- Population: 15,095
- Median home value: $169,300 (80% own)
- Median rent: $932 (20% rent)
- Median household income: $47,862
- Pictured: 7159 Manasota Key Rd, Englewood ($5.5 million, 6 bedrooms)
- Median home value: $169,300 (80% own)
- Median rent: $932 (20% rent)
- Median household income: $47,862
- Pictured: 7159 Manasota Key Rd, Englewood ($5.5 million, 6 bedrooms)
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#14. High Point
- Population: 3,974
- Median home value: $76,700 (86% own)
- Median rent: $936 (14% rent)
- Median household income: $38,490
- Pictured: 8279 Sunshine Grove Rd, Brooksville ($729,900, 3 bedrooms)
- Median home value: $76,700 (86% own)
- Median rent: $936 (14% rent)
- Median household income: $38,490
- Pictured: 8279 Sunshine Grove Rd, Brooksville ($729,900, 3 bedrooms)
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#13. Villas
- Population: 13,072
- Median home value: $162,400 (59% own)
- Median rent: $1,254 (41% rent)
- Median household income: $53,500
- Pictured: 13570 Brynwood Ln, Fort Myers ($2.2 million, 6 bedrooms)
- Median home value: $162,400 (59% own)
- Median rent: $1,254 (41% rent)
- Median household income: $53,500
- Pictured: 13570 Brynwood Ln, Fort Myers ($2.2 million, 6 bedrooms)
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#12. Timber Pines
- Population: 5,198
- Median home value: $159,900 (89% own)
- Median rent: $840 (11% rent)
- Median household income: $48,672
- Pictured: 7454 Southampton Rd, Spring Hill ($400,000, 2 bedrooms)
- Median home value: $159,900 (89% own)
- Median rent: $840 (11% rent)
- Median household income: $48,672
- Pictured: 7454 Southampton Rd, Spring Hill ($400,000, 2 bedrooms)
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#11. Whiskey Creek
- Population: 5,022
- Median home value: $232,900 (91% own)
- Median rent: $1,196 (9% rent)
- Median household income: $75,552
- Pictured: 5534 Cognac Dr, Fort Myers ($1.1 million, 6 bedrooms)
- Median home value: $232,900 (91% own)
- Median rent: $1,196 (9% rent)
- Median household income: $75,552
- Pictured: 5534 Cognac Dr, Fort Myers ($1.1 million, 6 bedrooms)
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#10. Cape Canaveral
- Population: 10,377
- Median home value: $244,900 (63% own)
- Median rent: $893 (37% rent)
- Median household income: $54,653
- Pictured: 307 Madison Ave, Cape Canaveral ($499,000, 3 bedrooms)
- Median home value: $244,900 (63% own)
- Median rent: $893 (37% rent)
- Median household income: $54,653
- Pictured: 307 Madison Ave, Cape Canaveral ($499,000, 3 bedrooms)
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#9. Cypress Lake
- Population: 12,978
- Median home value: $159,000 (70% own)
- Median rent: $1,221 (30% rent)
- Median household income: $50,945
- Pictured: 7143 S Brentwood Rd, Fort Myers ($750,000, 5 bedrooms)
- Median home value: $159,000 (70% own)
- Median rent: $1,221 (30% rent)
- Median household income: $50,945
- Pictured: 7143 S Brentwood Rd, Fort Myers ($750,000, 5 bedrooms)
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#8. Jensen Beach
- Population: 13,479
- Median home value: $232,600 (71% own)
- Median rent: $972 (29% rent)
- Median household income: $54,778
- Pictured: 7900 S Ocean Dr, Jensen Beach ($4.2 million, 4 bedrooms)
- Median home value: $232,600 (71% own)
- Median rent: $972 (29% rent)
- Median household income: $54,778
- Pictured: 7900 S Ocean Dr, Jensen Beach ($4.2 million, 4 bedrooms)
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#7. Siesta Key
- Population: 5,573
- Median home value: $715,000 (84% own)
- Median rent: $1,730 (16% rent)
- Median household income: $102,143
- Pictured: 3821 Flamingo Ave, Sarasota ($6.9 million, 5 bedrooms)
- Median home value: $715,000 (84% own)
- Median rent: $1,730 (16% rent)
- Median household income: $102,143
- Pictured: 3821 Flamingo Ave, Sarasota ($6.9 million, 5 bedrooms)
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#6. Hillsboro Beach
- Population: 1,752
- Median home value: $417,900 (83% own)
- Median rent: $1,986 (17% rent)
- Median household income: $73,558
- Pictured: 999 Hillsboro Mile, Hillsboro Beach ($24.5 million, 6 bedrooms)
- Median home value: $417,900 (83% own)
- Median rent: $1,986 (17% rent)
- Median household income: $73,558
- Pictured: 999 Hillsboro Mile, Hillsboro Beach ($24.5 million, 6 bedrooms)
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#5. Gulf Stream
- Population: 1,053
- Median home value: $2,000,001 (88% own)
- Median rent: $2,135 (12% rent)
- Median household income: $216,250
- Pictured: 3777 N Ocean Blvd, Gulf Stream ($32.0 million, 7 bedrooms)
- Median home value: $2,000,001 (88% own)
- Median rent: $2,135 (12% rent)
- Median household income: $216,250
- Pictured: 3777 N Ocean Blvd, Gulf Stream ($32.0 million, 7 bedrooms)
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#4. Indian River Shores
- Population: 4,206
- Median home value: $712,700 (97% own)
- Median rent: $1,096 (3% rent)
- Median household income: $118,669
- Pictured: 131 Gem Island Dr, Vero Beach ($11.5 million, 5 bedrooms)
- Median home value: $712,700 (97% own)
- Median rent: $1,096 (3% rent)
- Median household income: $118,669
- Pictured: 131 Gem Island Dr, Vero Beach ($11.5 million, 5 bedrooms)
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#3. Highland Beach
- Population: 3,885
- Median home value: $591,500 (90% own)
- Median rent: $2,325 (10% rent)
- Median household income: $115,219
- Pictured: 3833 S Ocean Blvd, Highland Beach ($35.0 million, 5 bedrooms)
- Median home value: $591,500 (90% own)
- Median rent: $2,325 (10% rent)
- Median household income: $115,219
- Pictured: 3833 S Ocean Blvd, Highland Beach ($35.0 million, 5 bedrooms)
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#2. South Palm Beach
- Population: 1,296
- Median home value: $262,300 (82% own)
- Median rent: $1,500 (18% rent)
- Median household income: $60,500
- Pictured: 3498 S Ocean Blvd, South Palm Beach ($6.4 million, 4 bedrooms)
- Median home value: $262,300 (82% own)
- Median rent: $1,500 (18% rent)
- Median household income: $60,500
- Pictured: 3498 S Ocean Blvd, South Palm Beach ($6.4 million, 4 bedrooms)
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#1. Pelican Bay
- Population: 6,140
- Median home value: $983,600 (95% own)
- Median rent: $1,479 (5% rent)
- Median household income: $141,856
- Pictured: 349 Colony Dr, Naples ($10.0 million, 6 bedrooms)
- Median home value: $983,600 (95% own)
- Median rent: $1,479 (5% rent)
- Median household income: $141,856
- Pictured: 349 Colony Dr, Naples ($10.0 million, 6 bedrooms)
