The Cost To Retire in America’s Sunniest Cities
Retirement can feel like a permanent vacation, especially if you retire to someplace warm.
To help you choose the best place to retire, GOBankingRates identified the 20 cities across the U.S. that get the highest percentage of sunshine each year, and calculated the average cost of living in each place for people ages 65 and older. These cities feature good weather year-round — and, they’ll fall within your budget. It’s definitely possible to retire near the beach for cheap.
Last updated: May 20, 2020
Honolulu — $99,579 Per Year
Annual average possible sunshine: 71%
Annual average temperature: 77 degrees
The cost of living in Honolulu is more than twice the national average, so be sure you have a large nest egg before deciding to retire to this island paradise. Although it’s an expensive place to live overall, it’s one of the U.S. cities you should really consider for retirement thanks to its affordable healthcare and variety of inexpensive activities and attractions.
Los Angeles — $96,607 Per Year
Annual average possible sunshine: 73%
Annual average temperature: 65 degrees
The cost of living in L.A. is higher than the national average, but there’s plenty to do in this sunny city if you can swing the high annual expenditure. Los Angeles has diverse culture and art, and it’s a good place to live if you want to focus on maintaining a healthy lifestyle in your golden years, with lots of health-conscious food options and plenty of ways to stay active.
San Diego — $88,185 Per Year
Annual average possible sunshine: 68%
Annual average temperature: 64 degrees
You can live by beautiful sunny beaches in San Diego — but you’ll have to pay higher-than-average living costs. It might be worth the price tag if you want easy access to nature, hiking, top-rated restaurants, a world-famous zoo and a laid-back lifestyle.
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Key West, Florida — $84,717 Per Year
Annual average possible sunshine: 76%
Annual average temperature: 78 degrees
There are way more sunny days than cloudy days in Key West, located off the coast of mainland Florida. Living the island life here will cost you, but it could be worth it if you love beach time and days spent fishing.
Miami — $67,873 Per Year
Annual average possible sunshine: 70%
Annual average temperature: 77 degrees
Although the cost to live in Miami is high compared to the national average, you’ll save by not having to pay income, estate or inheritance taxes. Plus, you’ll be surrounded by sun, sand and sea, and there are many active adult communities there if you’d like the option to live among other retirees.
Las Vegas — $59,450 Per Year
Annual average possible sunshine: 85%
Annual average temperature: 70 degrees
Like Miami, you won’t have to pay income taxes if you retire in Las Vegas, which could make up for its above-average living costs. And, you’ll never get bored if you retire in Sin City with its plethora of entertainment options, from casinos and shopping to live shows and top restaurants.
Phoenix — $55,982 Per Year
Annual average possible sunshine: 85%
Annual average temperature: 76 degrees
Phoenix is one of the sunniest cities on this list, with 85 percent sunny days on average. That gives you plenty of days to take advantage of all the activities you can do outdoors, including hiking, biking and fishing.
Tampa, Florida — $54,001 Per Year
Annual average possible sunshine: 66%
Annual average temperature: 73 degrees
If “73 and sunny” sounds like heaven to you, you might want to consider retiring in Tampa. The cost of living here is about average, and if you love golf — or the beach — you can have a happy retirement there.
Fresno, California — $53,505 Per Year
Annual average possible sunshine: 79%
Annual average temperature: 65 degrees
Fresno is one of the sunniest cities on this list, with an 79 percent chance of sun every day on average. The California city is home to unique cultural attractions, including a classic car show and a film festival, so you won’t get bored there. The cost of living in Fresno is just slightly above the national average.
Jacksonville, Florida — $49,542 Per Year
Annual average possible sunshine: 63%
Annual average temperature: 72 degrees
Enjoy fishing, hiking and beaches at this Florida retirement destination. The city also has lots of parks and museums, as well as plenty of senior services available. The cost of living in Jacksonville is on par with the national average.
Midland-Odessa, Texas — $49,542 Per Year
Annual average possible sunshine: 74%
Annual average temperature: 66 degrees
If you’re looking for a small-town feel, Midland-Odessa could be the sunny spot for you. Whether you want to spend your free time volunteering, reading a book from the local library or going for peaceful sunset walks, you can do that in this desert city, which has a cost of living that’s on par with the national average.
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Tucson, Arizona — $49,047 Per Year
Annual average possible sunshine: 85%
Annual average temperature: 70 degrees
Lots of sun and slightly below-average living costs are both good reasons to retire to Tucson, but the city has even more to offer. It’s a hub for the performing arts, and it also has dozens of retirement communities, a Western flair and beautiful surroundings.
Galveston, Texas — $48,551 Per Year
Annual average possible sunshine: 62%
Annual average temperature: 72 degrees
You’ll find historic homes, quiet beaches and a thriving cultural scene in Galveston, where the cost of living is slightly below the national average.
Yuma, Arizona — $47,065 Per Year
Annual average possible sunshine: 90%
Annual average temperature: 75 degrees
Yuma is the sunniest and warmest city on this list, and it also boasts a below-average cost of living. It’s a great place to call home if you love tacos and spicy food.
Apalachicola, Florida — $45,083 Per Year
Annual average possible sunshine: 66%
Annual average temperature: 69 degrees
Both the temperature and amount of sunshine are above average in Apalachicola, so you’re still pretty much guaranteed to have a balmy retirement in this Florida locale.
Lake Charles, Louisiana — $45,083 Per Year
Annual average possible sunshine: 72%
Annual average temperature: 62 degrees
Lake Charles is one of the most affordable cities on this list with living costs that are below the national average. If you enjoy food, festivals and spending time outdoors, you can have a happy retirement in this Southern city.
El Paso, Texas — $43,102 Per Year
Annual average possible sunshine: 84%
Annual average temperature: 67 degrees
El Paso is one of the best cities to retire on $1,500 a month, a separate GOBankingRates study found. Not only is it affordable, but it’s also close to the top of the list in sunshine — so you’ll definitely have a warm retirement there.
Abilene, Texas — $41,615 per Year
Annual average possible sunshine: 70%
Annual average temperature: 65 degrees
Low living costs and great weather make Abilene a good choice for retirement. The Texas city also has lots of amenities and local events to keep you busy in your post-work days.
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Memphis, Tennessee — $41,615 per Year
Annual average possible sunshine: 64%
Annual average temperature: 64 degrees
Memphis is one of the cheapest places to retire in the U.S. overall, a separate GOBankingRates study found, and it has thriving food scene that promises amazing Southern cooking.
Macon, Georgia — $39,633 per Year
Annual average possible sunshine: 66%
Annual average temperature: 64 degrees
Not only is Macon the cheapest place to retire on this list, it’s also home to top-rated hospitals, local golf courses and a Museum District, all while boasting Southern charm that will make you feel at home.
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Methodology: GOBankingRates determined the cost to retire in America’s warmest cities by using data from the National Climate Data Center to identify cities with the most sunshine year-round. Then, we calculated the average temperature in these cities for each month, sourced from AreaVibes. Cities with an average temperature of 65 degrees or more were included in this study. Once the warmest cities were identified, we found the cost-of-living index for each city using Sperling’s Best Places. We determined the estimated cost of living for retirees in each city by multiplying the index numbers by the average annual expenditures for people ages 65 and older in the U.S., sourced from the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
This article originally appeared on GOBankingRates.com: The Cost To Retire in America’s Sunniest Cities
