The financial website released a new study on September 2 cataloguing 182 cities in the United States on merits specifically for retirees, with Orlando (No. 1), Miami (No. 4) and Tampa (No. 5) securing three of the five top spots.

Although it’s no surprise these Florida metros scored well, it’s always intriguing to examine why when you’re contemplating or researching retirement locations for your new custom Florida home.

If that’s you (or soon-to-be-you), ICI Homes offer awesome options in both locations. But before we go there, let’s get granular with why WalletHub ranked these Florida cities among the best in its most recent study for retirement locations.

Key takeaways

WalletHub ranked 182 U.S. cities for retirees based on affordability, healthcare, activities, and quality of life
Florida secured three of the top five spots: Orlando (No. 1), Miami (No. 4), and Tampa (No. 5)
Orlando scored high for affordability and recreation, including fishing, arts, and volunteer opportunities
Miami ranked fifth nationally for activities and benefits from Florida’s tax-friendly environment and tropical climate
Tampa ranked 10th for senior activities and top-30 for overall quality of life, with strong cultural and outdoor offerings
ICI Homes builds in top Florida retirement destinations including Lake Nona and Live Oak Estates in Orlando, and Waterset, West Hill Estates, and Persimmon Park in the Tampa area

Research details

WalletHub researchers looked at 45 metrics that were grouped into four topics: activities, affordability, healthcare and quality of life.

Among the many data sources were the U.S. Census Bureau, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics and the Centers for Disease Control. And, among the 182 cities examined were the 150 largest U.S. cities and a minimum of two of the most populous cities from each state.

No city was perfect, but the winners in WalletHub’s ranking produced more overall good attributes than negative ones. The top five are Orlando (No. 1), Scottsdale, Arizona (No. 2) Minneapolis, Minnesota (No. 3), Miami (No. 4) and Tampa (No. 5).

Like all Florida metros, top-ranked Orlando earned high marks for having no state income tax, inheritance tax or estate tax. It also ranked fifth nationally for affordability and third for recreational offerings — particularly fishing (all those central Florida lakes and rivers), art galleries, music venues and volunteer opportunities. Florida’s year-round temperate climate didn’t hurt either.

Fourth-ranked Miami also scored on Florida’s favorable tax environment and its near-tropical, year-round weather. It ranked fifth nationally for activities.

Aside from benefitting from Florida’s tax environment, fifth-ranked Tampa scored 10th nationally for senior activities and top-30 for overall quality of life — two huge categories. Tampa also is a vibrant location for college and professional sports, and museums and attractions, and offers easy access to boating, fishing and beaching.

Find ICI Homes

We know Florida. We’ve built new custom Florida homes all over the Sunshine State for 45 years, developing master-planned communities and serving as preferred builders in others.

ICI Homes is busy with multiple projects in Orlando and Tampa. Our experience and status as a Builder Magazine Top 100 Builder means we offer a vast library of versatile single-family homes of all sizes.

Find us at two of Orlando’s best addresses — the Laureate Park neighborhood of Lake Nona, and at Live Oak Estates around the corner.

In Tampa, we’re all over the Tampa Bay region, building at Waterset in Apollo Beach, West Hill Estates in Dade City, and Persimmon Park in Wesley Chapel.

Seeking that custom luxury retirement home? Our ICI Custom Homes division can build it on your lot in Orlando and Tampa.

Ready for your new custom Florida home? Talk to ICI Homes here.