11 Best Places to Retire in Florida

The thought of retirement must surely bring a smile to your face and it’s easy to understand why, especially after so many years in the line of work, so we thought we’d help you out by sharing 11 best places to retire in Florida.

While there are many places in the state and even the world where you could relocate when the age of retirement hits, there’s one state that’s particularly famous – Florida. That’s because the weather is perfect here, albeit a bit humid, and there is just so much beauty to enjoy. And where best to enjoy your retirement than in a state where you’ll feel like you’re on a perpetual vacation, right?

Well, at least that’s what most of us dream of: spending time on a beach somewhere, cold drink in hand, listening to the waves crashing on the shores every day. In Florida that’s quite possible since most districts have a coastline and even if they don’t the ocean is not too far away. You can also check out some of our related articles regarding the best places to retire in Florida on the water or the best places to retire in Florida Gulf Coast.

For today’s list we took a look at all of Florida’s districts, took into account the median house price in the area, just how much taxes for these would cost you, with the mention that the data goes three years back, and the cost of living index. For each, they received a score depending on where they ranked and so we got the final marks. Without further ado, here are the 11 best places to retire in Florida.

11. Washington

Score: 7

Cost of living: 83.8

Median home cost: $80,400

Millage rate: 17.56

With a population of over 24,000 people and a median age of 40.8 years among the residents, Washington may be a great choice for those looking to retire in Florida. While you may not get to see the Ocean from your back yard, it’s not that far away that you can’t drive there if you want.

Homes here aren’t that expensive, with the medium price being just a little over $80,000, which means you can find a suitable place that’s well below this line if you look closely enough. After all, you’ll just need to do a little research and find a home that’s great for your needs.

10. Jackson

Score: 8

Cost of living: 85.9

Median home cost: $87,600

Millage rate: 14.71

Yet another county that doesn’t have an ocean view, Jackson is home to nearly 50,000 people with a median age of 40.4 years. With a history going back to 1822, Jackson County was created by the Florida Territorial Council out of Escambia County and it bears the name of former president Andrew Jackson.

Moving here shouldn’t be too expensive as the median home cost reaches $87,600, so depending on how deep your pockets go you’ll find something to suit your needs.

If you’re the adventurous kind, there are plenty to do in Jackson County, including riding a canoe, hiking and biking on set trails, cave diving or horseback riding. There’s also the regular fishing, birding and golf activities, to name a few.

9. Liberty

Score: 12

Cost of living: 83.8

Median home cost: $80,500

Millage rate: 16,56

It may not reach the Ocean, but Liberty County is full of green areas, including the Apalachicola National Forest which occupies about half the area. This means that if you want to enjoy a lot of time surrounded by the beautiful greens of this Floridian forest you’re going to love it here.

The county is home to only 8,300 people, according to the latest census, mostly due to the thick forest occupying such a large area. The median age of the residents is a little above 38 years, while the unemployment rate in the area is 4.7 percent, well below the 6.3 percent national average.

The median home cost here is $80,500 so you should have no problems in finding a great place for well below this mark.

8. Hendry

Score: 13

Cost of living: 83.7

Median home cost: $74,200

Millage rate: 20.4

Hendry County is one of the newer counties in Florida, being created back in 1923 and it bears the name of Major Francis Hendry, one of the first settlers in the area. While the Ocean may be a few hours away, Hendry reaches the shores of Lake Okeechobee. It is also part home to the Okaloacoochee Slough State Forest, which is great if you want to enjoy some time in the nature.

Hendry County is home to over 38,000 people with a median age of 32.6 years among the locals. The median home cost is $74,200 so finding a new place to call home should be a breeze.

7. Gadsden

Score: 14

Cost of living: 83.8

Median home cost: $75,500

Millage rate: 17.81

Gadsden County is situated in inland Florida, away from the beautiful Gulf of Mexico. It has a history of close to two hundred years and it was named after James Gadsden, one of Andrew Jackson’s aide-de-camp.

Gadsden is home to nearly 47,000 people according to the latest census, while the median age of the residents is 38.9 years. The unemployment rate in the area is quite similar to the numbers across the United States, while the cost of living index sits at 83.8 percent, meaning you’ll be able to put something aside every month if you so desire or indulge in something extra.

6. Taylor

Score: 17

Cost of living: 83.7

Median home cost: $79,800

Millage rate: 16.67

Dipping it’s toes into the Gulf of Mexico, Taylor County is home to over 22,000 people. The median age in the area is 41.2 years, which means there are plenty of other retirees here. If you love water, then Taylor County has some lovely beaches to enjoy, but also plenty of green areas, such as the Econfina River State Park or the Big Bend Wildlife Management Area.

The median price for a house in the area is close to $80,000, which isn’t high considering all the beauty you will find here if you decide to move. There’s also the advantage of having a cost of living index of 83.7, which means your daily life will be a lot cheaper than in many other areas across America.

5. Suwannee

Score: 18

Cost of living: 83.3

Median home cost: $76.700

Millage rate: 17.65

Home to over 42,000 people, Suwannee County is a beautiful location for those looking to move to Florida. The median age of its residence is 42.2 years, so many other retirees have chosen it as their home.

Finding a home in Suwannee County shouldn’t be too difficult, with the median prices reaching $76,700, a lot better than in many other areas across Florida. If you’re interested in traveling a lot, you should know the county has an airport which is just a couple miles off Live Oak. It won’t take you abroad, but it will at least provide access to other areas in the United States. You should also be happy to hear Suwannee is no longer a dry county since 2011 when the sale of alcoholic beverages once again became legal.

4. Hamilton

 Score: 23

Cost of living: 82.2

Median home cost: $72,000

Millage rate: 18.94

Bordering with Georgia, Hamilton County is home to over 14,000 people, which isn’t too much considering the territory spans over 519 square miles. While the area isn’t close to the ocean, there are still some lakes nearby to enjoy, as well as the beautiful Cypress Creek Wildlife Management Area, which is full of floodplain forests, as well as many, many pines. If you enjoy hunting, fishing, or hiking this is the perfect place to go.

Houses in Hamilton cost about $72,000 on average, so they’re more than accessible to all pockets. The cost of living in the county is also quite nice as the index sits at 82.2.

3. Calhoun

Score: 24

Cost of living: 83.5

Median home cost: $74,200

Millage rate: 17.13

North of Gulf County sits Calhoun county, a place with over 14,000 residents, with a median age of 40.1 years. The territory spans over 574 square miles so there’s a small population density. This is perfect if you’re not exactly looking to be all up in your neighbor’s business.

Houses in the area go for around $74,200, but since this is a median price you’re surely going to find properties that go well below this price, but also more expensive homes. The cost of living in Calhoun County is 83.5, so you may be able to save up some money if you stick to the same expenses list you’ve always had.

2. Highlands

Score: 26

Cost of living: 83.7

Median home cost: $73,400

Millage rate: 15.5

One of the larger counties in Florida, Highlands is called home by close to 100,000 people. This seems to be a popular destination for retirees since the median age of the residents is 51.4 years, but that’s great since you already know that plenty of other people love it enough to move here.

While Highlands doesn’t reach the Gulf of Mexico, it hosts a string of lakes, including lake Istokpoga, the largest in the area. If you enjoy nature, then you should know the county partly includes the Lake Wales Ridge National Wildlife Refuge, where you can take great hikes at a leisure pace.

Houses in this county cost in average $73,400 if you’re looking to buy a new property. The cost of living index is 83.7, which means you’ll be saving up some cash.

1. Hardee

Score: 33

Cost of living: 80

Median home cost: $60,800

Millage rate: 17.33

Last but not least is Hardee, a county that is almost geometrically perfect. The area is home to over 27,000 people, with a median age of 33.1 years. The unemployment rate in Hardee County is in line with the national average, namely 6.3 percent.

If you enjoy nature, there are several parks you can visit, including the Hardee Lakes County Park, as well as plenty of lakes peppering the county’s 638 square miles.

On average, homes in Hardee cost $60,800, which is extremely low compared to other areas in Florida and the United States as a whole. The cost of living is also a good 20 percent below the national average, which is great news especially if you’re moving from an area that’s a bit more pricey. All in all, Hardee County tops the list of the 11 best places to retire in Florida.