By Camille Bennett | M•I•A MEDIA GROUP
Miami is one of the best places in America to retire, according to a national ranking. For South Floridians approaching retirement, the question may be whether they can afford to spend the next chapter in the communities they already call home.
Miami ranked No. 2 in WalletHub’s 2026 Best Places to Retire study, behind Orlando and ahead of Tampa. Fort Lauderdale came in eighth, giving South Florida two cities in the national top 10. Pembroke Pines ranked 22nd, and Hialeah finished 31st. WalletHub compared 182 cities on affordability, activities, quality of life and health care.
The numbers tell two stories about life after work. Miami placed sixth for activities and 29th for health care, but 54th for affordability. Fort Lauderdale finished 13th for activities and 41st for health care, but 75th for affordability. For retirees weighing where to live, the rankings show how a city can offer plenty to do and still stretch a monthly budget.
What it costs to stay
A homeowner who paid off a mortgage years ago faces a different calculation from a renter whose lease is up for renewal. The homeowner still has to account for insurance, property taxes and repairs. A condo owner may also face association fees or a special assessment. For renters, a rent increase can force a choice between absorbing a higher monthly bill and moving farther from family, friends and familiar doctors.
That distinction matters in South Florida, where retirement can mean staying close to the people and places that make daily life work. For an older resident in Overtown or Fort Lauderdale’s Sistrunk neighborhood, a church, a trusted pharmacist or a relative who can drive them to an appointment may matter more than the number of restaurants or museums nearby. A citywide ranking can capture some of what makes a place attractive. A household budget and a map of everyday errands can tell a more personal story.
How the rankings differ
A separate national list put more emphasis on affordability. U.S. News & World Report’s 2027 Best Places to Retire rankings, released in October, placed Midland, Michigan, first and Homosassa Springs, Florida, second. U.S. News adjusted its scoring to reflect greater concern about affordability and evaluated factors including quality of life, housing value, health care and retiree taxes. The two rankings illustrate how the answer changes depending on which costs and benefits carry the most weight.
South Florida’s strong showing comes with a question for local leaders. Can older residents find homes they can afford near the people and services they depend on? That question reaches beyond attracting newcomers. It includes whether longtime residents can remain in their neighborhoods after they stop working, whether they can get to an appointment when they no longer drive and whether a sudden increase in housing costs will push them to move. For those residents, the measure of a retirement destination is whether they can still call it home.
