Florida has once again cemented its status as the nation’s premier retirement destination, claiming 53 of the 250 locations on U.S. News & World Report’s 2026 list of Best Places to Retire.
However, a significant shift in the publication’s methodology led the Sunshine State to cede the coveted No. 1 position, previously held by Naples, to Midland, Michigan.
The new rankings, which incorporated a public survey to weight indexes like Quality of Life (27%) and Value (24%) more heavily, saw a shake-up at the very top. Midland, MI, ranked first with an Overall Score of 6.8, driven primarily by affordability—boasting a median home value of $206,142 and a median monthly rent of $790.
Naples, Florida, the former No. 1, dropped to 18th place, likely due to its significantly higher housing costs, with a median home value well over $1.4 million.
Florida’s New Frontrunners
Despite losing the top spot, Florida showed remarkable strength with two cities near Tampa Bay climbing into the top 10:
- Homosassa Springs, FL ranked 3rd with an Overall Score of 6.6.
- Spring Hill, FL ranked 7th with an Overall Score of 6.3.
The publication specifically cited the areas’ “strong population/migration and quality of life scores” as key factors for their high placement. Other Florida cities making the top 20 include Palm Coast (9th), Palm Harbor (13th), and Pensacola (19th).
| Rank | City | State | Overall Score | Median Home Value |
| 1 | Midland | MI | 6.8 | $206,142 |
| 2 | Weirton | WV | 6.6 | $124,746 |
| 3 | Homosassa Springs | FL | 6.6 | $219,581 |
| 4 | The Woodlands | TX | 6.5 | $474,279 |
| 5 | Spring | TX | 6.5 | $251,247 |
| 7 | Spring Hill | FL | 6.3 | $302,064 |
| 18 | Naples | FL | 6.2 | $1,400,916 |
Methodology Favors Affordability and Migration
The 2026 rankings methodology placed a significant emphasis on factors directly relevant to retirees. The overall score is a weighted average of six indexes: Quality of Life, Value, Health Care Quality, Taxes, Senior Population/Migration, and Job Market.
The high performance of both Homosassa Springs and Spring Hill suggests that the new methodology is capturing a shift in retiree preferences toward areas with a strong influx of seniors and a balance of quality living and affordability, moving away from ultra-high-cost luxury markets like Naples.
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