WalletHub’s 2024 ranking, as reported by Time Out Miami, placed Orlando first among U.S. cities for retirement, followed by Miami, Minneapolis, Tampa, Fort Lauderdale, Scottsdale and Cincinnati. The list is a dated comparison—not a global ranking or a current 2026 assessment—and the available report does not publish city-level scores or enough detail to explain why any one city placed where it did.
The seven cities, in the reported 2024 order
- Orlando, Florida
- Miami, Florida
- Minneapolis, Minnesota
- Tampa, Florida
- Fort Lauderdale, Florida
- Scottsdale, Arizona
- Cincinnati, Ohio
This order comes from Time Out Miami’s September 24, 2024 report of WalletHub’s “Best & Worst Places to Retire” ranking. The ranking covered U.S. cities; it should not be read as a list of the best retirement cities worldwide or as an updated 2026 result. Time Out Miami’s report
What the ranking says—and what it does not
Time Out Miami reports that WalletHub compared more than 180 U.S. cities across 45 metrics, including subjects such as cost of living, tax laws, activities and healthcare. The report does not provide the cities’ individual scores, metric definitions, full weighting, or city-level figures. That means the ranking establishes the order above, but does not show how much one city outperformed another or which factor drove a particular placement. Reported methodology
WalletHub analyst Chip Lupo described the kinds of considerations behind the ranking: “The best cities for retired people are those that minimize taxes and expenses, as well as have good opportunities for retirees to continue paid work for extra income, if they choose to do so. In addition, the top cities provide high-quality health care and offer plenty of enjoyable activities.” This is an attributed view of the ranking’s criteria, not proof that every listed city performs well on each point. Lupo’s statement
#1 Best Overall
How to use the list when comparing places to retire
Use the seven names to create a shortlist, then compare the circumstances that matter to your own retirement. The ranking does not supply city-specific evidence on the following questions, so answer them with current local information before making a decision:
- Affordability and taxes: What would housing, everyday expenses and applicable taxes mean for your income and assets?
- Healthcare: Are the providers, facilities and services you need accessible where you would live?
- Activities: Does the city offer the recreation, culture and community life you want?
- Paid work: If you plan to earn additional income, are there suitable opportunities and do they fit your preferences?
These are comparison questions suggested by the ranking’s stated subject areas, not claims about the relative strengths of Orlando, Miami, Minneapolis, Tampa, Fort Lauderdale, Scottsdale or Cincinnati. A high position in a broad ranking cannot establish personal fit; your budget, healthcare needs and preferred lifestyle determine which trade-offs deserve the most weight.
Quick Recap
Rank #3
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