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Retirees Are Leaving These 4 Retirement Hot Spots in Droves (And Going to These 5 Places Instead)

Why retirees are leaving Florida for more affordable states

By Kristin Hitchcock , Edited by Laura Hohenstein

Updated Sept. 22, 2026

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Florida has not lost its sunshine or beaches. However, the traditional retirement map is changing as housing and insurance put pressure on retirees with fixed incomes. Retirees who want to save money in retirement are increasingly looking beyond coastal hot spots, and some are even moving for the second time.

The shift is no longer from cold states to warm ones. Recent migration data points towards a more practical search for affordability, manageable weather, good health care, and family connections. Here are four places losing retirees and five gaining ground.

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1. Florida

Florida still welcomed 45,696 people age 65 and older in 2025, more than any other state. However, 44,881 left, producing a net gain of only 815, according to HireAHelper's analysis of nearly 15 million moves.

Cost helps explain the churn. Coastal housing, condo fees, storm exposure, and insurance can strain a retirement budget. Census data also found that Florida had the country's highest median property insurance cost among mortgaged homeowners.

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2. California

California posted the country's largest net loss of older residents in 2025, with 12,963 more people age 65 and older leaving than arriving. Housing costs are a major hurdle, while wildfire exposure and insurance availability add uncertainty.

Taxes also matter once paychecks stop. California excludes Social Security benefits, but other retirement income may be taxable, and its top individual income tax rate reaches 13.3%.

3. New York

New York lost a net 8,648 retirement-age residents in 2025. Florida remained their most common destination, but North and South Carolina also drew more than 2,100 New Yorkers combined.

New York currently does not tax Social Security and offers qualifying retirees a pension and annuity exclusion of up to $20,000. Still, the state's high housing costs, property taxes, and colder winters often encourage retirees to look south.

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4. New Jersey

New Jersey had the highest outbound share in United Van Lines' 2025 National Movers Study, with 62% of the company's recorded interstate moves heading out. The study also noted that the state continues to lose retirees.

Property taxes present a particular challenge. New Jersey had the country's highest effective property tax rate in the latest comparison, at 1.88%, making even a mortgage-free home expensive to keep.

The "halfback" move is reshaping retirement

Some retirees who originally moved from the Northeast or Midwest to Florida are now heading partially up north. These "halfbacks" often settle in the Carolinas, Georgia, or Tennessee, where they enjoy mild summers, four distinct seasons, easier trips to family, and often lower taxes.

For instance, Florida was the second-largest source of older newcomers to South Carolina in 2025.

1. South Carolina

South Carolina led the country with a net gain of 5,427 residents age 65 and older. It offers beach towns, inland lakes, and mountain communities, often at a lower price than Florida's best-known coastal markets.

The state exempts Social Security and provides deductions for qualifying retirement income. Its effective property tax rate was also the nation's sixth-lowest at 0.49%, although individual bills vary by county and home value.

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2. North Carolina

North Carolina gained 3,202 retirement-age residents. The state offers many of the lifestyle factors retirees want, like coastal communities and growing metros with major health care systems.

Social Security is also exempt from state income taxes, and North Carolina's income tax rate fell to 3.99% in 2026. Inland locations may reduce coastal storm and insurance costs, as well.

3. Tennessee

Tennessee added a net 3,191 older residents in 2025. Knoxville, Chattanooga, and the communities outside of Nashville combine milder weather with easy access to health care and lower-cost housing than in many coastal markets.

Tennessee also does not tax individual income or dividend income. However, retirees should factor in the state's relatively high sales tax before making the move.

4. Georgia

Georgia recorded a net gain of 1,646 retirement-age residents. It offers Florida-like warmth in many areas, but retirees can choose among small towns, Atlanta suburbs, mountain communities, and the coast.

The state does not tax Social Security. Residents age 65 and older may also qualify to exclude up to $65,000 of retirement income. Coastal buyers should still investigate insurance coverage costs before committing, as it can be higher in this state.

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5. Texas

Texas gained 5,156 residents over retirement age, making it second only to South Carolina. Its size provides everything from warm Gulf Coast communities to suburbs near award-winning medical centers, often with more housing choices than Florida markets.

Texas does not have a personal income tax, but it is far from tax-free. Local property taxes can be high in some areas, though some residents may qualify for additional exemptions.

Bottom line

Retirees are not giving up warmer weather. Many are simply finding that the Carolinas, Tennessee, Georgia, and Texas offer a better combination of climate and affordability than traditional retirement hot spots like Florida.

To avoid money mistakes, calculate your relocation break-even point before moving. Add moving expenses, closing costs, and any home repairs, then divide that total by your expected annual savings. Sometimes, it takes several years for a cheaper state to pay off.

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