Many retirement towns may be cheap to live in but lack the livability necessary for retirees to enjoy a comfortable lifestyle.
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The 50 towns ranked in GOBankingRates’ new original study are ranked in order of their livability index scores, as sourced via AreaVibes, to represent the nation’s most livable retirement towns. This study referenced the U.S. Census 2023 5-Year American Community Survey to source cities with total populations of at least 10,000 and population percentages for ages 65 and over of at least 33%, plus the median household income in each location.
Key Findings
- Dunedin, Florida, ranked as the nation’s most livable retirement town. The city’s livability score of 84 propelled it to the top spot. Nearly 35% of the population is 65 or over.
- The three most livable retirement towns are in Florida. Dunedin, Ormond Beach and Sebastian, each of which have livability scores of 83 or 84.
- Florida towns dominated, with 26 in the top 50. Seven ranked among the top 10, including Dunedin (#1), Ormond Beach (#2), Sebastian (#3), Gulfport (#6), Estero (#8), Naples (#9) and Venice (#10).
- Eight Arizona cities made this list: Oro Valley (#5), Cottonwood (#11), Prescott (#30), Sun City (#34), Catalina Foothills (#35), Fountain Hills (#44), Apache Junction (#47) and Payson (#48).
Take a look at the 50 most livable retirement towns in America.
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1. Dunedin, Florida
- Population 65+ (%): 34.7%
- Median household income: $68,068
- Livability: 84
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2. Ormond Beach, Florida
- Population 65+ (%): 33.3%
- Median household income: $67,482
- Livability: 83
3. Sebastian, Florida
- Population 65+ (%): 35.9%
- Median household income: $68,863
- Livability: 83
4. Parole, Maryland
- Population 65+ (%): 34.4%
- Median household income: $119,591
- Livability: 82
5. Oro Valley, Arizona
- Population 65+ (%): 34.9%
- Median household income: $105,342
- Livability: 81
6. Gulfport, Florida
- Population 65+ (%): 35.6%
- Median household income: $68,617
- Livability: 81
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7. Pompton Plains, New Jersey
- Population 65+ (%): 34.7%
- Median household income: $113,661
- Livability: 79
8. Estero, Florida
- Population 65+ (%): 50.7%
- Median household income: $100,459
- Livability: 79
9. Naples, Florida
- Population 65+ (%): 56.2%
- Median household income: $140,833
- Livability: 79
10. Venice, Florida
- Population 65+ (%): 59.9%
- Median household income: $74,340
- Livability: 79
11. Cottonwood, Arizona
- Population 65+ (%): 34.1%
- Median household income: $47,162
- Livability: 77
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12. Ocean City, New Jersey
- Population 65+ (%): 34.2%
- Median household income: $101,782
- Livability: 77
13. Mesquite, Nevada
- Population 65+ (%): 45%
- Median household income: $74,439
- Livability: 77
14. Tavares, Florida
- Population 65+ (%): 38%
- Median household income: $57,644
- Livability: 76
15. Punta Gorda, Florida
- Population 65+ (%): 53.6%
- Median household income: $79,291
- Livability: 76
16. Mount Dora, Florida
- Population 65+ (%): 33.1%
- Median household income: $69,931
- Livability: 75
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17. Burr Ridge, Illinois
- Population 65+ (%): 35.8%
- Median household income: $154,508
- Livability: 75
18. Willow Street, Pennsylvania
- Population 65+ (%): 38.7%
- Median household income: $106,867
- Livability: 75
19. Huntley, Illinois
- Population 65+ (%): 35%
- Median household income: $86,349
- Livability: 74
20. Murrells Inlet, South Carolina
- Population 65+ (%): 37%
- Median household income: $75,438
- Livability: 74
21. Garden City, South Carolina
- Population 65+ (%): 38%
- Median household income: $50,027
- Livability: 74
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22. Cypress Lake, Florida
- Population 65+ (%): 43.1%
- Median household income: $62,767
- Livability: 74
23. North Fort Myers, Florida
- Population 65+ (%): 47.2%
- Median household income: $55,696
- Livability: 74
24. West Vero Corridor, Florida
- Population 65+ (%): 51.8%
- Median household income: $59,162
- Livability: 74
25. Fredericksburg, Texas
- Population 65+ (%): 33.9%
- Median household income: $57,474
- Livability: 73
26. Pinehurst, North Carolina
- Population 65+ (%): 39.4%
- Median household income: $104,955
- Livability: 73
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27. Hudson, Florida
- Population 65+ (%): 48.1%
- Median household income: $49,063
- Livability: 73
28. Laguna Woods, California
- Population 65+ (%): 83%
- Median household income: $60,235
- Livability: 73
29. Fernandina Beach, Florida
- Population 65+ (%): 37.7%
- Median household income: $92,535
- Livability: 72
30. Prescott, Arizona
- Population 65+ (%): 40.5%
- Median household income: $69,151
- Livability: 72
31. Englewood, Florida
- Population 65+ (%): 59.4%
- Median household income: $65,557
- Livability: 72
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32. Cocoa Beach, Florida
- Population 65+ (%): 35.3%
- Median household income: $82,381
- Livability: 71
33. Iona, Florida
- Population 65+ (%): 59%
- Median household income: $66,143
- Livability: 71
34. Sun City, Arizona
- Population 65+ (%): 74.9%
- Median household income: $52,111
- Livability: 71
35. Catalina Foothills, Arizona
- Population 65+ (%): 34.9%
- Median household income: $113,201
- Livability: 70
36. New Smyrna Beach, Florida
- Population 65+ (%): 35.3%
- Median household income: $78,373
- Livability: 70
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37. St. Simons Island, Georgia
- Population 65+ (%): 38%
- Median household income: $105,944
- Livability: 70
38. Bonita Springs, Florida
- Population 65+ (%): 42.9%
- Median household income: $90,486
- Livability: 70
39. Laurel, Florida
- Population 65+ (%): 44.9%
- Median household income: $89,282
- Livability: 70
40. Lady Lake, Florida
- Population 65+ (%): 52.4%
- Median household income: $47,260
- Livability: 70
41. Marco Island, Florida
- Population 65+ (%): 59%
- Median household income: $104,105
- Livability: 70
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42. The Villages, Florida
- Population 65+ (%): 85.2%
- Median household income: $76,523
- Livability: 70
43. North Myrtle Beach, South Carolina
- Population 65+ (%): 38.8%
- Median household income: $72,111
- Livability: 69
44. Fountain Hills, Arizona
- Population 65+ (%): 39.6%
- Median household income: $104,788
- Livability: 69
45. Wildwood, Florida
- Population 65+ (%): 42.6%
- Median household income: $71,858
- Livability: 69
46. Bayonet Point, Florida
- Population 65+ (%): 33.2%
- Median household income: $42,157
- Livability: 68
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47. Apache Junction, Arizona
- Population 65+ (%): 33.7%
- Median household income: $58,619
- Livability: 67
48. Payson, Arizona
- Population 65+ (%): 37.8%
- Median household income: $65,175
- Livability: 66
49. Little River, South Carolina
- Population 65+ (%): 43.6%
- Median household income: $64,590
- Livability: 66
50. Ocean Pines, Maryland
- Population 65+ (%): 44.2%
- Median household income: $91,400
- Livability: 66
See more original studies and surveys in the GOBankingRates original research center.
Editor’s note: Photos are for illustrative purposes only. In many cases, the closest major city outside of the city mentioned in the article was used.
Methodology: GOBankingRates analyzed cities with at least 10,000 total population and a population percent for ages 65 and over of at least 33%, as sourced from U.S. Census 2023 5-Year American Community Survey. The total households and household median income was also sourced from the same source. Using AreaVibes.com, the livability index was sourced for each location in order to help determine the overall quality of life. The cities were sorted to show the highest livability index first representing the most livable retirement towns. All data was collected on and is up to date as of July 29, 2025.
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This article originally appeared on GOBankingRates.com: America’s 50 Most Livable Retirement Towns
