The Top 10 Cities in the U.S. For Snowbirds, Ranked

Every year when the weather gets chilly, America sees a mass migration of snowbirds. No, not real birds — these snowbirds are the more than one million Americans and Canadians (generally retirees) who spend winter months in warmer climates in the southern U.S. 

These quasi-tourists can also be a huge boon to local economies. That's why we wanted to determine the best cities in the U.S. for those who head south for the winter. Our team analyzed 180 different cities, evaluating them across nearly two dozen metrics that would be important to snowbirds: livability, affordability, temperature and climate, and culture and recreation.

Here are the 10 best cities for snowbirds who want to get ahead financially.

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Located near the South Carolina border on Georgia's Atlantic coast, Savannah is a historic city that offers snowbirds a wide variety of recreational options.

Savannah's per capita rates when it comes to museums, restaurants, and shopping opportunities are all among the highest in the country. Savannah also has a high number of golf courses per 100,000 people, and those courses carry an average rating of 4.2 stars out of 5, one of the 30 highest ratings in the country.

Punta Gorda makes the list thanks in large part to climate and livability. The city features the lowest violent crime rate of any city in our rankings and one of the 20 lowest property crime rates. Additionally, nearly half of the city's population (49.0%) is over the age of 60, a rate that is second only to The Villages (65.9%).

The only city in Arkansas in the top 10, Hot Springs ranks eighth overall despite a significantly colder climate than every other city in the top 10. Key factors in that overall ranking are recreation and culture and affordability, areas where Hot Springs scored very high.

In fact, Hot Springs is more affordable than any other city in the top 10, thanks to some of the lowest rents and mortgage costs in the country and an overall cost of living that is more than 15% lower than the national average.

The only Texas city in the top 10, Victoria is located about 30 miles from the Gulf of Mexico. Adventurous snowbirds can drive from Victoria to the cities of Austin, Houston, San Antonio, and Corpus Christi in less than two hours while dodging the colder weather up north.

Brunswick is located on Georgia's Atlantic coast and features a cooler climate than every other city ranked ahead of it.

Brunswick offers a robust and diverse selection of recreational options for snowbirds, ranking in the top 5 when it comes to the number of museums and performing arts centers per capita and landing in the top 10 for the number of retail stores per 100,000 people. Additionally, the golf courses in and around Brunswick have an average rating of 4.5 stars out of 5, the second-highest overall score for that metric.

Naples, Florida, earned high marks in multiple categories, with the highest being temperature/climate, where Naples ranked in the top five overall. Between the months of November and March, the average temperature in Naples is between 64 degrees (in January) and 71 degrees (in November), making it a pleasant place to be while the northern parts of the country are dealing with freezing temperatures.

Naples is also one of the five best cities in the country for snowbirds in terms of cultural and recreational activities. It has a large number of highly-rated golf courses and ample shopping opportunities for snowbirds looking to get out and about.

Homosassa Springs is located near Florida's Gulf Coast and features Homosassa Springs Wildlife State Park, one of the best places in the state to see manatees and wildlife in general. Homosassa Springs ranks particularly well in the area of livability, with some of the nation's lowest crime rates per 100,000 people and the third-highest percentage of the population over the age of 60 (45.8%).

Located near Vero Beach on Florida's east coast, Sebastian boasts the kind of pleasant winter weather for which Florida is known. Between November and March, temperatures range between 61 and 69 degrees, even with the nearby Atlantic Ocean bringing cooling breezes.

Beyond weather factors, Sebastian has plenty of recreational opportunities for snowbirds, boasting a robust 27.3 golf courses per 100,000 residents. The city also ranks in the top 15 when it comes to the number of shopping centers and retail stores per capita.

Located in Central Florida, Sebring ranks well for livability, affordability, and climate. Florida's pleasant winter weather and high walkability are major contributing factors, along with the fact that 44.8% of the population is over the age of 60, the fourth-highest rate overall.

Of the 22 different Florida cities we looked at, Sebring is the most affordable, thanks in large part to a cost of living that is 17% lower than the national average and a median monthly mortgage cost of just $1,453, which is among the 35 lowest for all snowbird cities.

Sometimes called "boomer paradise" and "Disney World for adults" (while being located just an hour from the real Disney World), The Villages is one of America's premier retirement communities, so it isn't surprising to see it at the top of our rankings.

As the city was largely designed around making life fun and carefree for retirees, it is a perfect place for snowbirds looking for the same kind of lifestyle. The Villages has the second-highest livability score of any city on this list and is also ranked among the top 15 for culture and recreation. Notably, The Villages has more golf courses (110.5) and pickleball courts (25.9) per 100,000 people than any other city we looked at.

From travel to housing costs, living in two places is no small expense. That's why things like affordability and livability, among other factors, are important to keep in mind.

Before you plan your move, consider how you can trim your budget and cut back on unnecessary expenses. Retirees can often enjoy senior discounts on activities and services, and taking advantage of less expensive hobbies such as hiking can free up your budget, too.