Cape Coral–Fort Myers has grabbed the number one slot for retirement living across America, based on fresh data from StorageCafe. This Southwest Florida metro beat out over 100 big cities that made the list.
Close to 29% of people living there are 65 or older. That’s way higher than what you’ll find in most places. Life expectancy hits 80.6 years, and retirees bring in around $42,000 each year. Waterways criss-cross the area. Warm weather lasts most of the year, and there’s plenty built for older adults.
Naples–Immokalee–Marco Island snagged third place. Life expectancy there? A whopping 84 years — the best in the country. More than 32% of residents are seniors, pulling in about $59,000 on average. Clean air, good hospitals, and things to do matter here.
Half the best retirement spots sit in the Southeast. Florida dominates. North Port–Sarasota–Bradenton landed at number four, with Port St. Lucie rounding out the top five.
New York–Newark–Jersey City came in second. It costs more to live there, but hospitals are everywhere and trains run all the time. Madison, Wisconsin, and Boise, Idaho, also cracked the top 10.
Over 4 million Americans will turn 65 in 2026. Experts call this the “Peak 65” wave. Medical bills keep climbing. Housing prices won’t quit. Retirees now care as much about what they can afford and where they can get help as they do about sunshine and beaches.
StorageCafe looked at how long people live, what things cost, how safe areas are, and whether seniors can find doctors and housing. Turns out the best places to retire aren’t just warm — they’re places where your money lasts and help is close by.