Best Places to Retire in the South in 2026, Ranked by What Retirees Value Most

What's the best place to retire? To answer that question, The Motley Fool surveyed 2,000 retired Americans to understand what matters most in retirement and used those insights to rank the best places to retire across the United States.

Based on the survey results, The Motley Fool identified seven key retirement factors and weighted each according to retiree preferences: quality of life (31%), healthcare access and quality (15%), housing affordability (13%), crime and safety (12%), weather and climate (12%), state and local taxes (11%), and non-housing affordability (6%). These weightings were applied to secondary data from eight public and institutional datasets to calculate a final retirement score for every U.S. county, reflecting real retiree needs and preferences rather than assumptions about where people “should” retire. Counties were excluded if their population was below 40,000, their quality-of-life score was below 35, or their housing affordability score was below 35. The full methodology and data sources are available at the end of the report.

The Motley Fool’s Best Places to Retire list reflects what retirees value most on average, but there’s no single “right” retirement destination for everyone. The best place to retire depends on personal priorities and expected retirement income. For some, that means keeping costs low so that savings and investments in their retirement accounts go further. Others may place more weight on access to amenities or choosing a more expensive location with great weather.

With that in mind, here's The Motley Fool’s Best Places to Retire in the South list.

The Best Places to Retire in the South

1. Fort Lauderdale, Broward County, Florida

Fort Lauderdale offers a classic Florida coastal retirement with proximity to beaches, cultural attractions, and walkable neighborhoods.

Pros: No state income tax; low cost of living; abundant sunshine and mild winters; access to the Intracoastal Waterway is ideal for boaters; walkable areas like Las Olas Boulevard offer dining and recreational opportunities; and top-notch healthcare, including Broward Health Medical Center and Holy Cross, which provide excellent geriatric and cardiac care.
Cons: Tourism can lead to crowds; HOA and condo fees are very high in retiree-friendly waterfront buildings; flood and hurricane risk; higher housing costs than suburbs further inland in Broward County; and very high homeowners' insurance costs.

2. St. Augustine, St. Johns County, Florida

St. Augustine has a rich history and tons of charm, with coastal beauty combined with historic attractions and old-world architecture.

Pros: Historic architecture, dining, and retail along St. George Street; Castillo de San Marcos; beach access at St. Augustine Beach Pier and Anastasia State Park; walkable downtown area; scenic walkways and birding by the Matanzas Inlet and Vilano Beach; and some quiet residential areas, including in Lighthouse Park.
Cons: Constant tourist presence can lead to crowds and congestion; limited public transportation; expensive homeowners' insurance premiums; flood and hurricane risk; and limited access to specialty healthcare without traveling to Jacksonville.

3. Quincy, Gadsden County, Florida

Quincy provides the best of small-town living, including affordable housing, a short drive to nearby metro areas, and outdoor recreation at state forests and parks.

Pros: Cultural enrichment opportunities at the Historic Gadsden Arts Center & Museum; Tallahassee is a close drive for access to top-notch healthcare and great healthcare outcomes in Gadsden County; cultural amenities, dining, and entertainment; low traffic and small-town feel; and affordable housing near the Quincy historic district.
Cons: No real public transportation, so retirees are car dependent; summers can be very hot and humid.

4. Little Rock, Pulaski County, Arkansas

Little Rock offers a range of cultural amenities, outdoor recreation, and access to the Clinton Presidential Library and Museum area, where lectures and special events are frequently held.

Pros: Arkansas River Trail and Pinnacle Mountain State Park offer outdoor recreational opportunities; housing is affordable in West Little Rock, Hillcrest, and the Heights; very low cost of living; the Arkansas Arts Center and River Market District offer cultural enrichment; and UAMS Medical Center and Baptist Health Little Rock offer local access to good healthcare.
Cons: Some areas have higher-than-average crime rates; public transportation options are very limited, older parts of the city have aging infrastructure, and summers can be very hot and humid.

5. Miami, Miami-Dade County, Florida

Miami offers some of the world's best beaches, a vibrant cultural and entertainment scene, and year-round outdoor recreation.

Pros: South Beach, Crandon Park, and Haulover Beach in Miami are some of the world's most famous beaches; Vizcaya Museum and Gardens and Pérez Art Museum Miami offer cultural enrichment; Jackson Memorial Hospital and Baptist Health Miami offer excellent healthcare locally; cruise ports and Miami International Airport make travel easy.
Cons: High housing and rental costs, especially in the Miami Beach area and Brickell; heavy traffic congestion; tourists bring crowds during peak times of the year; insurance premiums and condo and HOA assessment fees can be very high; hot and humid weather for much of the year; and significant risk of hurricanes and storms.

6. Dallas, Dallas County, Texas

Dallas is a cultural mecca in Texas, with the Dallas Museum of Art and AT&T Performing Arts Center offering access to art and entertainment events.

Pros: UT Southwestern Medical Center ensures top-notch local healthcare; suburbs including Plano, Richardson, and Lakewood are diverse; plenty of cultural amenities to enjoy; Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport is close by to make travel easy; no state income tax; and housing is affordable compared to other Texas metro areas.
Cons: Traffic can be very bad on I-635 and the Central Expressway; high property taxes; no public transportation and most areas are car dependent; summers are very hot, and there are occasional hailstorms.

7. Austin, Travis County, Texas

Austin has an amazing art and music scene while also providing plenty of outdoor recreational opportunities around Lady Bird Lake.

Pros: Moody Theater and South Congress offer fantastic music and art activities; Lady Bird Lake Trail and Zilker Park provide outdoor recreational spaces; attractive suburban neighborhoods, including Lakeway, Georgetown, and Round Rock, are nearby; no state income tax; low cost of living; and winters are relatively mild.
Cons: Housing is very expensive, especially downtown and in West Austin; property taxes are higher than average and climbing; rapid growth is straining public services and leading to high density and noise issues; and summers can be hot with many days in the triple digits.

8. Killeen, Bell County, Texas

Killeen is an affordable suburb with a slow pace of living and a central location offering easy day trips to Temple, Waco, and Austin.

Pros: Close to the amenities at Fort Hood; affordable housing compared to larger Texas metro areas; extremely low cost of living; outdoor recreational opportunities, including boating and fishing at Belton Lake and Stillhouse Hollow Lake; good-quality regional healthcare via AdventHealth Central Texas.
Cons: Specialty medical care may require a trip to Temple or Austin; economy dependent on the nearby military base; very limited public transportation options; neighborhoods aren't walkable; and fewer dining and entertainment options compared with larger Texas cities.

9. Birmingham, Jefferson County, Alabama

Birmingham is an affordable city with attractive neighborhoods, rolling hills that create a beautiful backdrop, and a growing brewery and food scene.

Pros: UAB Hospital and Brookwood Baptist Medical Center offer world-class healthcare; Red Mountain Park and Ruffner Mountain Nature Preserve provide outdoor recreational opportunities; cost of housing and living are below the national average; mild winters; Avondale and Pepper Place are home to an expanding food and brewery scene.
Cons: High crime in some parts of downtown; limited public transportation options; some areas have aging infrastructure; and summers can be hot and humid with occasional risk of tornadoes and severe storms.

10. Baltimore, Maryland

Baltimore is famous for its Inner Harbor and attractive waterfront neighborhoods, but it also offers plenty of cultural amenities and easy access to Washington, D.C., and Philadelphia.

Pros: Accessible to major cities including Philadelphia and D.C., including using public transportation; waterfront recreational opportunities at the Inner Harbor, Fells Point, and Canton Waterfront Park; cost of living and housing are below the national average; ample public transportation including the MARC train, Amtrak access, and light rail; top-tier healthcare including Johns Hopkins Hospital and the University of Maryland Medical Center; and cultural institutions like the Walters Art Museum.
Cons: History of high crime, although crime trended downward in 2025; high property taxes; aging housing can mean costly remodels and repairs; high levels of traffic congestion; and cold winters.

11. San Marcos, Caldwell County, Texas

San Marcos offers outdoor recreation on the San Marcos River and easy access to Austin and San Antonio, while the city itself maintains a small-town feel.

Pros: Outdoor recreational activities at Rio Vista Park, along the San Marcos River, and at Sewell Park; lifelong learning opportunities at Texas State University; close proximity to Austin and San Antonio; affordable housing and a very low cost of living; walkable downtown; and mild winters.
Cons: Large student presence can lead to traffic congestion and big crowds during the school year; house prices are on the rise as the area grows; there are fewer cultural, retail, and dining opportunities than in larger metro areas; specialty healthcare is limited without a drive; and the summer is very hot.

12. St. Petersburg, Pinellas County, Florida

St. Petersburg is famous for its beaches and abundant sunshine, but it also offers a walkable downtown with plenty of dining and cultural amenities.

Pros: Downtown offers the Dali Museum, other cultural amenities, and plenty of dining and retail options; waterfront walking and outdoor recreational activities at Vinoy and North Shore Parks; very mild winters; Bayfront Health St. Petersburg offers excellent local healthcare; and St. Pete Beach is in close proximity, while the world-famous Clearwater Beach is a short drive away.
Cons: Condo and HOA premiums are high and on the rise; overall cost of living is increasing due to high demand; seasonal tourist traffic leads to crowds and traffic congestion on Gulf Boulevard; summers are hot and humid; public transportation is very limited; and there is a significant hurricane and flood risk.

13. Fort Worth, Tarrant County, Texas

Fort Worth is known for its strong Western vibes, walkable areas, and thriving community of retirees.

Pros: Kimbell Art Museum and the Fort Worth Museum of Science and History are desirable cultural amenities; Stockyards Historic District is walkable and offers entertainment, retail, and dining options; housing costs are in line with the national average while the cost of living is below average; manageable tax burden; mild winters; Texas Health Harris Methodist Hospital offers quality care for seniors; and housing costs are more affordable than in other major metros like Dallas.
Cons: Few public transportation options mean many retirees are car dependent; property taxes are higher than average; rapid expansion may overtax resources and lead to traffic congestion; and summers can be very hot.

14. Tampa, Hillsborough County, Florida

Tampa offers big-city amenities, bayfront scenery, and access to Gulf Coast Beaches, including the famous white-sand Clearwater Beach and St. Pete Beach.

Pros: Beach access is a short drive away; Tampa Riverwalk provides dining, retail, and recreational opportunities; local professional sports teams; the Straz Center provides cultural events to enjoy; and Tampa International Airport is close by for easy travel.
Cons: Housing costs are high; home insurance costs are through the roof; traffic congestion can be severe; tourism can lead to crowds; and there is a significant risk of hurricanes, tropical storms, and flooding.

15. Palm Bay, Brevard County, Florida

Located along Florida's Space Coast, Palm Bay is a quiet residential suburb that offers a slow pace of life while still providing access to outdoor recreation and Florida's famous beaches.

Pros: Housing costs below those of similar Florida neighborhoods like Melbourne or Viera; very low cost of living; access to Indialantic and Satellite Beach; plentiful outdoor recreational opportunities at Turkey Creek Sanctuary and Palm Bay Regional Park; extremely mild winters; and quick access to the cultural, retail, and dining opportunities in Cape Canaveral and Melbourne.
Cons: Very limited public transportation; hot summers; smaller hospital system and less access to specialized healthcare compared to larger Florida cities; cultural, recreation, and shopping activities require a bit of driving; and there's a high hurricane risk.

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Methodology

How The Motley Fool Identified the Best Places to Retire in America

Choosing where to retire is a deeply personal decision, but retirees consistently prioritize a few key needs: affordability, safety, access to healthcare, and quality of life.

The Motley Fool’s Best Places to Retire Index combines secondary data about each location with primary data on what retired Americans say matters most when picking where to live.

This hybrid approach creates a ranking that is both data driven and human centered – a methodology built by retirees for retirees.

Survey-Informed Weights

The Motley Fool surveyed 2,000 retired Americans aged 55 and above in December 2025 via Pollfish and employed a constant-sum approach (100 points), allowing respondents to clearly allocate points across the factors that mattered most to them when choosing a place to retire. Their average point allocations formed the weights given to scores for each retirement-location factor.

Ranking	Retirement Factor	Weight (%)
1	Healthcare access & quality	14.47
2	Housing affordability	13.10
3	Crime & safety	12.13
4	Weather & climate comfort	11.56
5	Taxes (state + local burden)	11.45
6	Nonhousing affordability (everyday expenses)	5.93

Ranking	Quality of Life	Weight (%)
	Total	31.35
1	Restaurant options	6.48
2	Walkability	5.49
3	Access to outdoor recreation	5.45
4	Access to retirement communities	4.14
5	Arts & entertainment options	3.77
6	Proximity to an airport	3.11
7	Public transit access	2.91

Final scores reflect what retirees value most, not what we assume they value.

Survey Method Details

Survey was conducted online on Dec. 2, 2025, via Pollfish.
Survey respondents were U.S. retirees 55 years and older.
Survey results were post-stratified to reflect nationally representative data based on age and gender.
Pollfish employs organic random device engagement sampling, a statistical method that recruits respondents through a randomized invitation process across various digital platforms. This technique helps to minimize selection bias and ensure a diverse participant pool.

How Each Factor Was Scored

Scores were computed at both the county and state levels. All data were normalized on a min–max scale before applying survey weights.

Each factor below includes the justification readers care about most: why it matters to retirees.

Healthcare Access & Quality

Why it matters: Aging well requires reliable care, specialists, and strong healthcare outcomes. Healthcare outcomes measure whether people get healthier, live longer, and maintain a good quality of life.
Sources:

University of Wisconsin County Health Rankings (local outcomes & access)
United Health Foundation’s 2025 Senior Report (state-level system performance)

Housing Affordability

Why it matters: Home costs are the No. 1 expense in retirement and drive relocation decisions.
Source: Zillow Home Value Index (October 2025)

Counties with a housing affordability score below 35 were excluded.

Nonhousing Affordability

Why it matters: Day-to-day expenses – food, transportation, utilities – determine how far savings stretch.
Source: Economic Policy Institute Family Budget Calculator

Taxes

Why it matters: State and local tax burdens directly affect retirement income sustainability.
Sources:

Tax Foundation (effective tax burden)
EPI Family Budget Calculator (county-level effective rates)

Weather & Climate Comfort

Why it matters: Retirees seek comfortable climates that support year-round activity.
Source: NOAA NCEI temperature & precipitation averages (2020–2025)

Crime & Safety

Why it matters: Personal safety ranks as a top emotional and financial priority.
Source: FBI Crime Data Explorer – violent, property, and social offense rates

Quality-of-Life Components

Retirement isn’t only about saving money, it’s about living well.

We measured features that enable connection, mobility, recreation, and fulfilling lifestyles:

Component	Why It Matters	Source
Restaurant options	Local culture, social connection	Census County Business Patterns NAICS 722
Arts & entertainment	Enrichment & active lifestyles	Census County Business Patterns NAICS 71
Walkability	Independent mobility, aging-in-place	EPA National Walkability Index
Public transit access	Car-free access to essentials	EPA Transit Accessibility Tool
Access to outdoor recreation	Active aging & well-being	CDC NEPHTN
Access to retirement communities	Supportive aging options	Census County Business Patterns NAICS 6233
Proximity to airport	Travel access to family/friends	USDOT County Transportation Profiles

Data sets were spatially aligned to counties and aggregated to states when necessary for consistency and national comparison.

Counties with a quality-of-life score below 35 were excluded.

Counties with a population of less than 40,000 were excluded.

About the Author

Christy Bieber is a contributing Motley Fool retirement and Social Security expert covering retirement planning, 401(k)s, IRAs, and other personal finance topics. Christy has written about finance since 2008 and previously taught business courses at Bryant & Stratton College. She holds a law degree from UCLA and a bachelor’s degree in English, media, and communication with a certificate in business management from the University of Rochester. In law school, she earned three CALI Awards for Excellence for the highest scores in civil procedure and contract law exams.

TMFChristyB

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The Best Places to Retire in the South in 2026, Ranked by What Retirees Value Most

The Motley Fool analyzed every U.S. county using primary and secondary data, including survey insights from 2,000 retired Americans, to identify the best retirement locations in the South.

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