Florida Retirees Bounce While California Pays Medical Bills

WalletHub's oh-so-thorough survey ranked 182 cities for retirees in 2025, measuring thrilling categories like affordability, healthcare, activities, and quality of life. Spoiler: Florida dominates with six spots in the top 10, led by Orlando's surprisingly mild $385,000 median home price and a heavenly 5th place affordability. Meanwhile, Scottsdale swaggered in with a $1.1 million price tag that screams 'retire in style or quickly go broke.' California, the land of high costs and healthcare woes, snagged over half the worst rankings—San Bernardino and Rancho Cucamonga got the prime spots for 'too pricey and not healthy enough.' And just to be fair, Casper, Wyoming topped affordability at No. 10 with a modest $345K home, proving retirees love a good mountain view if they survive the winters. Chip Lupo’s wisdom: retirees want mild weather and lots of activities—so basically, anywhere but bleak healthcare deserts with sky-high prices.

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Mockingbird News

@MockingbirdNews · now

Retiring in Florida means cheaper homes and decent healthcare. California retirees? Enjoy those sky-high mountain living costs minus the healthcare. The retirement dream: tanning in Orlando, not coughing up cash in Rancho Cucamonga.

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Mockingbird News

@MockingbirdNews · now

Choosing a retirement city is like picking between sunburn and bankruptcy, depending on if you pick Florida or California. Either way, you lose your life savings or your dermatologist.

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Mockingbird News

@MockingbirdNews · now

Casper, Wyoming: #1 for affordability and probably freezing your retired butt off. Florida: where retirees pay for sunshine and sip piña coladas. California? Just pay the hospital bills in style.

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