Starting Fresh After 50

Migration Map

When looking at domestic migration patterns of people aged 50 and older, the most popular states for relocating continue to include Florida, Arizona, and Texas. The reason? These states have tax benefits that are especially helpful to this age bracket. Texas and Florida have no state income tax, and Arizona does not tax Social Security income. Other states that do not tax income, like Wyoming and Washington, have higher costs of living or environmental factors that may turn away potential retirees.

According to the latest American Community Survey data, these states continue to attract the most residents aged 50 and older who migrate from out of state, with Florida maintaining its position as the top destination. The Sunshine State has seen steady growth in its senior population, reinforcing its status as a premier retirement location. 1

• Florida: 222,475
• Texas: 90,571
• Arizona: 85,541
• California: 85,289
• North Carolina: 64,922
• Georgia: 52,454
• New York: 44,055
• Virginia: 44,034
• Pennsylvania: 42,273
• South Carolina: 42,255

Relocations along the East Coast remain common, with Florida and Georgia topping the list of places to retire because of their affordability and climate. Check out the interactive map above to compare movement patterns for Americans aged 50 and older.

Popular Places to Move at Any Age

The U.S. Census Bureau reports that Americans continue to move at historically low rates. Recent data shows that mobility rates remain suppressed compared to previous decades, with approximately 8.4% of Americans changing residences between 2022 and 2023.2 We found that the rate of moving for those aged 50 and older was much lower than for younger Americans. Younger people may be more open to picking up their life and moving for jobs, education, relationships, or to experience new things. This represents a significant shift from historical patterns when Americans relocated more frequently.

Our exploration of the data revealed that the places Americans moved varied based on their age. For example, some of the metropolitan areas with the most new residents aged 18 to 29 were major college towns like Ithaca, New York; Ann Arbor, Michigan; State College, Pennsylvania; and Gainesville, Florida. This reflects a nationwide trend. Across the country, college students increasingly attend universities outside their home states, contributing to migration patterns in these areas.

Different areas continue to appeal to older generations of Americans. Florida remains the dominant destination, with multiple metropolitan areas attracting significant numbers of new residents aged 50 and older. Southern states also show strong appeal for this demographic. Areas like Homosassa Springs, Florida, continue to draw retirees with their combination of historic charm and recreational opportunities, including world-class fishing.

According to recent American Community Survey data, these metropolitan areas continue to have high concentrations of residents aged 50 and older:

• Punta Gorda, FL: 62.8%
• Homosassa Springs, FL: 58.9%
• Prescott, AZ: 54.3%
• Sebastian-Vero Beach, FL: 54.3%
• North Port-Sarasota-Bradenton, FL: 53.1%
• Barnstable, MA: 52.8%
• Lake Havasu City-Kingman, AZ: 52.7%
• Naples-Immokalee-Marco Island, FL: 51.1%
• Ocean City, NJ: 48.7%
• Ocala, FL: 48.3%
• Cape Coral-Fort Myers, FL: 48.2%
• Myrtle Beach-Conway-North Myrtle Beach, SC-NC: 47.5%
• Port St. Lucie, FL: 47.5%
• Deltona-Daytona Beach-Ormond Beach, FL: 46.9%
• Palm Bay-Melbourne-Titusville, FL: 46.8%
• Santa Fe, NM: 45.9%
• Pittsfield, MA: 45.7%
• Salisbury, MD-DE: 45.2%
• Hilton Head Island-Bluffton-Beaufort, SC: 45.2%
• Johnstown, PA: 44.6%

Fastest-Growing Cities for Residents Aged 50 and Older

Although Midwestern states may not be on your radar for retirement, don't discount them just yet. Many Midwestern communities have become increasingly attractive to the older demographic, offering affordable living options and quality amenities.

For many retirees, cost is an essential factor when deciding where to settle. The Midwest offers significant advantages in housing affordability, with median home prices consistently lower than coastal markets. According to recent federal data, housing costs in Midwestern metropolitan areas remain among the most affordable in the nation.3 This trend also extends to transportation and grocery costs, making the region particularly appealing for those on fixed incomes.

Even though health care costs vary by region, the overall savings opportunities in the Midwest are substantial. This trend continues to attract attention, particularly among retirees seeking to maximize their retirement savings while maintaining a comfortable lifestyle.

Popular Places for Retired Americans

A significant portion of people aged 50 and older who move to a new city or state are no longer in the workforce, either having retired or transitioned out of traditional employment. Choosing where to retire is one of the most important decisions you can make and shouldn't be taken lightly.

Multiple Florida cities continue to land at the top of the list and remain popular destinations for the retired crowd. Places like Oregon and Wisconsin are also attractive to retired Americans.

The Bend-Redmond, Oregon, metropolitan area continues to attract older people moving from out of town. The entire county surrounding Bend has experienced population aging trends. 4 Although Oregon has a higher-than-average cost of living, it might be a great option for retirees who are looking to make the most of what nature has to offer, with access to outdoor recreation, scenic landscapes, and a mild climate.

Conclusion

Retirement is a phase of life that many Americans spend decades preparing for. With consideration for changes like decreased income and more free time, transitioning into retirement can be difficult.

Experts suggest factoring in finances, health care needs, the standard of living, and specific retirement goals, while also remembering to be flexible. Also, be prepared for things like your social life and daily experiences to change. Planning for retirement is not one-size-fits-all, so be sure to choose the best city for your lifestyle and goals, whether it topped our list of popular retirement locales.

Methodology

For this study, we analyzed data from American Community Surveys (ACS) through the Integrated Public Use Microdata Series (IPUMS) maintained by the University of Minnesota. With this information, we explored the rates of people who'd moved since the previous year's survey.

The ACS is a national random sample of the population. The data include people in group quarters. The sample data are weighted so that they are representative of the United States population.

We used the MIGRATE1 variable for much of our analysis in this campaign. This variable reports whether the person had changed residence since a reference point one year ago. Participants also indicated the city, state, or country in which they lived the previous year. For many of our visualizations, we grouped respondents who'd reported moving between states, cities, or countries. We did not count individuals who moved within a town or remained in the same household.

Limitations

Cities with fewer than 5,000 total residents were not included in portions of the analysis.

No statistical testing was performed, so the claims listed above are based on means alone. As such, this content is purely exploratory, and future research should approach this topic more precisely.

Fair Use Statement

Retirement is an important issue to discuss, no matter how old you are. We want to share valuable resources with you so that you can share them with your friends and loved ones for noncommercial purposes, but please don't forget to reference this article when talking about what you've learned.