Many Americans find themselves becoming snowbirds during retirement. For those unfamiliar with the term, it means swapping out your current location (and its cold weather) to relocate to a warmer climate in states like Florida and Arizona.
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If you think this may happen to you and need recommendations on where to move to, Florida Rentals recently compiled data on the best places for snowbirds in the U.S. According to their findings, 28 counties ranked among the best in the nation for snowbird retirees thanks to a combined number of factors including cost of living and state and county sales taxes.
As a bonus, every county’s most populous city or town has been included as part of the overall data. Take a look at the 28 best U.S. counties for snowbird retirees.
1. Citrus County, Florida
- Most populous city/town in county: Homosassa Springs
- Population ages 65+ (%): 36.5%
- State tax rate: 6%
- County sales tax: 0%
- Combined sales tax: 6%
- Average cost of living per month: $3,563
- Average cost of housing per month: $848
- Average cost of food per month: $364
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2. Highland County, Florida
- Most populous city/town in county: Sebring
- Population ages 65+ (%): 36.2%
- State tax rate: 6%
- County sales tax: 1.5%
- Combined sales tax: 7.5%
- Average cost of living per month: $3,434
- Average cost of housing per month: $757
- Average cost of food per month: $346
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3. Sumter County, Florida
- Most populous city/town in county: The Villages
- Population ages 65+ (%): 57.1%
- State tax rate: 6%
- County sales tax: 1%
- Combined sales tax: 7%
- Average cost of living per month: $3,641
- Average cost of housing per month: $945
- Average cost of food per month: $384
4. Mohave County, Arizona
- Most populous city/town in county: Lake Havasu City
- Population ages 65+ (%): 33.1%
- State tax rate: 5.6%
- County sales tax: 0%
- Combined sales tax: 5.6%
- Average cost of living per month: $3,730
- Average cost of housing per month: $858
- Average cost of food per month: $337
5. Oconee County, South Carolina
- Most populous city/town in county: Seneca
- Population ages 65+ (%): 25.4%
- State tax rate: 6%
- County sales tax: 0%
- Combined sales tax: 6%
- Average cost of living per month: $3,408
- Average cost of housing per month: $670
- Average cost of food per month: $328
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6. Charlotte County, Florida
- Most populous city/town in county: Port Charlotte
- Population ages 65+ (%): 40.6%
- State tax rate: 6%
- County sales tax: 1%
- Combined sales tax: 7%
- Average cost of living per month: $3,895
- Average cost of housing per month: $1,089
- Average cost of food per month: $372
7. Indian River County, Florida
- Most populous city/town in county: Vero Beach South
- Population ages 65+ (%): 35.6%
- State tax rate: 6%
- County sales tax: 1%
- Combined sales tax: 7%
- Average cost of living per month: $3,834
- Average cost of housing per month: $991
- Average cost of food per month: $391
8. Kerr County, Texas
- Most populous city/town in county: Kerrville
- Population ages 65+ (%): 29.3%
- State tax rate: 6.25%
- County sales tax: 0.5%
- Combined sales tax: 6.75%
- Average cost of living per month: $3,618
- Average cost of housing per month: $902
- Average cost of food per month: $303
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9. Georgetown County, South Carolina
- Most populous city/town in county: Litchfield Beach
- Population ages 65+ (%): 31.6%
- State tax rate: 6%
- County sales tax: 1%
- Combined sales tax: 7%
- Average cost of living per month: $3,656
- Average cost of housing per month: $842
- Average cost of food per month: $351
10. Collier County, Florida
- Most populous city/town in county: Golden Gate
- Population ages 65+ (%): 34.4%
- State tax rate: 6%
- County sales tax: 0%
- Combined sales tax: 6%
- Average cost of living per month: $4,500
- Average cost of housing per month: $1,328
- Average cost of food per month: $410
11. Sussex County, Delaware
- Most populous city/town in county: Milford
- Population ages 65+ (%): 31.2%
- State tax rate: 0%
- County sales tax: 0%
- Combined sales tax: 0%
- Average cost of living per month: $3,963
- Average cost of housing per month: $909
- Average cost of food per month: $369
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12. Gila County, Arizona
- Most populous city/town in county: Payson
- Population ages 65+ (%): 31.6%
- State tax rate: 5.6%
- County sales tax: 1%
- Combined sales tax: 6.6%
- Average cost of living per month: $3,662
- Average cost of housing per month: $855
- Average cost of food per month: $334
13. Brunswick County, North Carolina
- Most populous city/town in county: Leland
- Population ages 65+ (%): 34.4%
- State tax rate: 4.75%
- County sales tax: 2%
- Combined sales tax: 6.75%
- Average cost of living per month: $4,003
- Average cost of housing per month: $951
- Average cost of food per month: $368
14. Cochise County, Arizona
- Most populous city/town in county: Sierra Vista
- Population ages 65+ (%): 25.6%
- State tax rate: 5.6%
- County sales tax: 1%
- Combined sales tax: 6.6%
- Average cost of living per month: $3,554
- Average cost of housing per month: $770
- Average cost of food per month: $319
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15. Yavapai County, Arizona
- Most populous city/town in county: Prescott
- Population ages 65+ (%): 34.8%
- State tax rate: 5.6%
- County sales tax: 0.75%
- Combined sales tax: 6.35%
- Average cost of living per month: $3,990
- Average cost of housing per month: $951
- Average cost of food per month: $358
16. Sarasota County, Florida
- Most populous city/town in county: North Port
- Population ages 65+ (%): 37.8%
- State tax rate: 6%
- County sales tax: 1%
- Combined sales tax: 7%
- Average cost of living per month: $4,261
- Average cost of housing per month: $1,294
- Average cost of food per month: $415
17. Hood County, Texas
- Most populous city/town in county: Granbury
- Population ages 65+ (%): 25.9%
- State tax rate: 6.25%
- County sales tax: 0.5%
- Combined sales tax: 6.75%
- Average cost of living per month: $3,720
- Average cost of housing per month: $912
- Average cost of food per month: $306
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18. Carteret County, North Carolina
- Most populous city/town in county: Morehead City
- Population ages 65+ (%): 27.9%
- State tax rate: 4.75%
- County sales tax: 2%
- Combined sales tax: 6.75%
- Average cost of living per month: $3,880
- Average cost of housing per month: $820
- Average cost of food per month: $379
19. Flagler County, Florida
- Most populous city/town in county: Palm Coast
- Population ages 65+ (%): 31.6%
- State tax rate: 6%
- County sales tax: 1%
- Combined sales tax: 7%
- Average cost of living per month: $4,198
- Average cost of housing per month: $1,152
- Average cost of food per month: $387
20. Martin County, Florida
- Most populous city/town in county: Palm City
- Population ages 65+ (%): 32.7%
- State tax rate: 6%
- County sales tax: 1%
- Combined sales tax: 7%
- Average cost of living per month: $4,349
- Average cost of housing per month: $1,284
- Average cost of food per month: $414
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21. Garland County, Arkansas
- Most populous city/town in county: Hot Springs
- Population ages 65+ (%): 25.4%
- State tax rate: 6.5%
- County sales tax: 1.5%
- Combined sales tax: 8%
- Average cost of living per month: $3,537
- Average cost of housing per month: $767
- Average cost of food per month: $328
22. Beaufort County, South Carolina
- Most populous city/town in county: Hilton Head Island
- Population ages 65+ (%): 29.2%
- State tax rate: 6%
- County sales tax: 0%
- Combined sales tax: 6%
- Average cost of living per month: $4,886
- Average cost of housing per month: $1,432
- Average cost of food per month: $391
23. Hawaii County, Hawaii
- Most populous city/town in county: Hilo
- Population ages 65+ (%): 25%
- State tax rate: 4%
- County sales tax: 0.5%
- Combined sales tax: 4.5%
- Average cost of living per month: $5,221
- Average cost of housing per month: $1,458
- Average cost of food per month: $476
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24. Horry County, South Carolina
- Most populous city/town in county: Myrtle Beach
- Population ages 65+ (%): 27%
- State tax rate: 6%
- County sales tax: 2%
- Combined sales tax: 8%
- Average cost of living per month: $4,094
- Average cost of housing per month: $1,121
- Average cost of food per month: $340
25. Chatham County, North Carolina
- Most populous city/town in county: Siler City
- Population ages 65+ (%): 25.9%
- State tax rate: 4.75%
- County sales tax: 2.25%
- Combined sales tax: 7%
- Average cost of living per month: $4,246
- Average cost of housing per month: $1,069
- Average cost of food per month: $363
26. Haywood County, North Carolina
- Most populous city/town in county: Waynesville
- Population ages 65+ (%): 26.1%
- State tax rate: 4.75%
- County sales tax: 2.25%
- Combined sales tax: 7%
- Average cost of living per month: $4,171
- Average cost of housing per month: $1,068
- Average cost of food per month: $351
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27. Henderson County, North Carolina
- Most populous city/town in county: Hendersonville
- Population ages 65+ (%): 27.1%
- State tax rate: 4.75%
- County sales tax: 2%
- Combined sales tax: 6.75%
- Average cost of living per month: $4,593
- Average cost of housing per month: $1,304
- Average cost of food per month: $358
28. Santa Fe County, New Mexico
- Most populous city/town in county: Santa Fe
- Population ages 65+ (%): 29%
- State tax rate: 4.88%
- County sales tax: 2%
- Combined sales tax: 6.90%
- Average cost of living per month: $4,172
- Average cost of housing per month: $1,171
- Average cost of food per month: $386
Photo disclaimer: Photos are for illustrative purposes only. In many cases, the closest major city outside of the city/county mentioned in the article was used.
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