For the first time since 2020, quality of life emerged as the most influential factor in U.S. News & World Report‘s latest rankings of America’s best places to retire.
U.S. News & World Report analyzed more than 850 of the nation’s most populated cities — up from 150 in previous years — based on factors such as quality of life, affordability, healthcare quality, retiree taxes, population, job market and, for the first time, migration trends for retirees age 55 and older.
Weightings were based on a survey of 3,500 people ages 45 and older about what matters most when choosing where to retire. For the 2025 rankings, quality of life ranked highest at 27%, followed by affordability at 24%, healthcare quality at 16% and retiree taxes at 16%.
Healthcare quality is calculated by data from U.S. News’ Best Hospitals rankings and measures the availability of top-rated healthcare in each city.
Michigan, Florida and Texas have multiple cities in the top 20. Below are the top 20 cities from U.S. News‘ list, with the complete list in full available here.
1. Midland, Mich.
2. Weirton, W.Va.
3. Homosassa Springs, Fla.
4. The Woodlands, Texas
5. Spring, Texas
6. Rancho Rio, N.M.
7. Spring Hill, Fla.
8. Altoona, Pa.
9. Palm Coast, Fla.
10. Lynchburg, Va.
11. Bismarck, N.D.
12. Victoria, Texas
13. Palm Harbor, Fla.
14. Rochester Hills, Mich.
15. Troy, Mich.
16. Sioux Falls, S.D.
17. Pearland, Texas
18. Naples, Fla.
19. Pensacola, Fla.
20. Conroe, Texas
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