Over 234,000 Americans moved to retire in 2022, 4% more than in 2021
12% of American retirees moved for “cheaper housing” — highest % since 2014
Florida is top destination for retirement moves (~12% of all retirees)
Palm Bay-Melbourne-Titusville, FL (9%) top metro destination for retirement moves
Oregon the state retirees most likely to leave — origin state of 10% of retiree moves
Retirees of color more than 2x likely to move in search of cheaper housing (20%) than their white counterparts (9%)
In last year’s study of retirement moves, the COVID-19 pandemic was very much the central theme in many people’s moves.
Yet while the effects of the pandemic are still being felt across the country, this year’s driving narrative has been inflation; the economy is of course connected to cost of living, savings, and home prices, all touchstones of the retirement equation.
As American retirees face an increased estimate for the amount of money needed to retire comfortably, 36% of retirees reported their living costs as higher than expected, while 56% expected to continue working after they retire. How has this impacted how many people retired this year? And where did they all go?
On the Rise Again: Number of Retirement Moves Increased in 2022
After a significant dip in 2021, the number of Americans who moved to retire this year has gone up to reach over 234,000. It’s still some way off the pre-pandemic levels, but that’s 4% greater than the number of people who moved to retire last year.
American retirees continue to move at an increasing rate, despite pressures associated with the cost of living and the changing home market temperatures in many parts of the country. Knowing that more people are once again beginning to move more for retirement, what are some of their reasons for moving?
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Family and Cheaper Housing: Why Are More Retirees Moving in 2022?
Inflation and the associated rise in the cost of living are likely contributing to why over 12% of American retirees who moved in 2022 said they did so to find cheaper housing.
Housing was second only to “other family reasons” (e.g., “being close to family”). Cost-conscious retirement moves are at their highest level since 2014.
Not coincidentally, retirement moves for “new and better housing” have fallen sharply; upscaling now makes up 10% of all stated reasons for a retirement move, down from 18% as early as 2019.
“In 2022, the Sunshine State attracted almost 16% of all retirees choosing to retire outside their state, the highest of any state.”
It’s worth noting that retirees of color were more than twice as likely to move in search of cheaper housing (18%) than their white counterparts(8%).
These overall findings suggest that retirees are more sensitive to inflation than anticipated by many and, while home prices have begun to fall, they are still significantly higher than they were this time last year.
Florida is Back, Baby! Sunshine State Tops Retirement Move Destinations
After coming in second in our 2020 retirement move study and the same study last year, Florida is once again the top destination for out-of-state retirement moves.
“…36% of retirees reported their living costs as higher than expected, while 56% expected to continue working after they retire.”
In 2022, the Sunshine State attracted almost 16% of all retirees choosing to retire outside their state, the highest of any state.
North Carolina takes the second spot, with almost one in ten (9.6%) retirement moves crossing state lines going to this state.
A new entrant on this year’s top 10 is the state of Washington. Drawing about 5% of out-of-state retirees, Washington state jumped to the seventh spot of this year’s ranking.
Goodbye Oregon: States Retirees Were Most Likely to Leave
Their destination may be in Florida, but in terms of origin, Oregon was the state retirees were most likely to leave. As one of the most expensive states in the country to live in, Oregon saw as many as 10% of people moving to retire leaving the state.
Maryland placed second in states retirees were most likely to leave, with 7% of local retirement moves heading elsewhere. Idaho, a state we often see get the greatest net gains in our annual reports, had 3.4% of all local retirees leave the state when moving for retirement.
Popular Metro areas: Palm Bay, FL a Hit With Early Retirees
Compared to last year, Americans moving in retirement in 2022 tend to prefer staying in urbanized areas slightly more, according to the data.
“… retirees of color were more than twice as likely to move in search of cheaper housing than their white counterparts.”
The key beneficiary of retirees’ intention to settle in metropolitan areas is Palm Bay-Melbourne-Titusville, FL, which attracted 9.2% of all retirement moves in 2022 — more than any other metropolitan area.
Having once been named the best place for early retirement (albeit by itself), this area to the southeast of Orlando seems to live up to that reputation; 37% of its newcomer retirees were between the ages of 55 and 64.
In second place, the greater Columbus, OH area drew slightly under 6% of all retirees looking for a new place to live. The Ohioan metro ranking so highly this year is likely another testament to cost of living being one of the priorities for retirees planning their moves in 2022.
Elsewhere, there are two notable metro areas located in Tennessee, Nashville-Davidson-Murfreesboro, TN (5.3%) and Knoxville, TN (3.2%), which combined attracted 8% of retirees who chose to move this year.
Who Is Moving in Retirement in 2022? A Look at the Demographics
Much like last year, 86% of Americans moving in retirement were white, and just 14% were retirees of color.
Married people accounted for 55% of all retirees relocating in 2022, with the remaining 45% being single, including those widowed, divorced, as well as those who never married.
Finally, while almost three-quarters (74%) of those moving in retirement in 2022 were over 65, some 26% were early retirees in 2022.
To calculate the most moved-in and moved-out states and cities, we took the percentage of all retirees in 2021 who moved or left a state or city. “Early retirees” was operationalized as any retiree aged younger than 65 years old.
Living along the East Coast is great during the warmer months of the year. But who enjoys shoveling snow from their driveways, scraping ice off their windshields, and staying inside with stuffy, dry heat? Snowbirds don’t.
What exactly is a snowbird? Anyone who migrates away from cold climates and rides out the winter in a place that’s much milder is the classic definition of a snowbird. States like Arizona, Texas and Florida are all popular snowbird destinations, since their climates rarely – if ever – reach freezing, even during the cold months.
If this lifestyle sounds appealing, you might consider becoming a snowbird yourself. But before you do, you should know the following stuff.
Who is “snowbirding” right for?
Typically, people think of snowbirds as retired or elderly people. And they tend to be just that; the average age of a Florida snowbird is 70 years old.
It makes sense; winter chores that involve shoveling snow and walking across ice can be more dangerous for older folks. Plus, the cold and snow make it harder to get out and keep up with necessary active habits, like walking.
But you don’t have to be a senior citizen to be a snowbird! Just about anyone who wants to wear shorts or keep a tan all year can do it. That is, as long as their lifestyle and financial situation allow it.
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What to consider before becoming a snowbird
One of the biggest considerations when deciding whether to become a snowbird is finances. No surprise, but it can be expensive to travel back and forth between two locations every year, potentially paying rent or mortgage on two homes.
How much money do I really need to become a snowbird?
Snowbirds are usually high-income retirees who bring in at least $75,000 per year. If you’re still in the early-ish years of your career, experts recommend planning and saving extra for the snowbird lifestyle sooner rather than later.
“If you’re new to snowbirding, it may be a good idea to rent for the first couple of years.”
Aside from the financial aspects, you’ll also want to consider the general lifestyle you want to live. Many people think of snowbirding as a vacation… but it’s not! You’ll be living in your second home for several months out of the year; things you enjoy on vacation may not be what you want out of your day-to-day life. And of course, if you’re still working, your schedule needs to allow for flexible and remote work options.
What about living in an RV?
If you’re planning to live in an RV as a snowbird, you’ll need to factor in vehicle maintenance, gas, and the cost of a site. Some parks and resorts offer deals for long-term stays, so it’s important to check around for deals before settling on a spot.
Protip: Remember, people also tend to generally socialize and eat out more when snowbirding, so factor that into your portable lifestyle budgeting!
Renting vs. buying a second home
A big question when getting ready to begin the snowbird lifestyle is whether you should rent or buy your second home. There is no one right answer — it will depend on several factors.
If you’re new to snowbirding, it may be a good idea to rent for the first couple of years. That way, you don’t lock yourself into a property in a location that you may not end up liking that much. Renting is also a good idea if the market is not buyer friendly, or you’re unsure about upkeep costs.
“Depending on your tax situation, it may make more financial sense to claim residency in your snowbird state instead of back home.”
On the other hand, it might make sense to buy a property if you’re definitely set on a certain location and you can afford it. Your second home should double as an investment property and an asset to leave to your heirs. Just keep in mind that you’ll be responsible for more than just the rent!
At the broadest level, there will typically be expenses second home expenses such as:
Interest
Property taxes
Homeowners Insurance
Repairs/maintenance
All this stuff generally equates to about 1% of a home’s value annually.
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Am I ready to maintain two properties?
Whether you decide to rent or buy, you’re still going to spend the time and energy upkeeping two properties. This will mean keeping track of:
Two sets of bills
Cleaning
Investing in maintenance and renovations
Landscaping
Possibly “winterizing”
You might also need to spend extra money on hiring a housekeeper, gardener, handyman, etc. to help you keep up. To help pay for all this, people often list their properties on Airbnb or VRBO when they’re out of town to offset the costs of maintenance.
How do you balance friends and family?
Somewhat surprisingly, one of the biggest challenges snowbirds report facing is maintaining relationships; it makes sense, given you’re gone half the year!
For example, you might want to spend Thanksgiving or Christmas at the beach in Florida, while your kids may be celebrating at home in Maine. You can’t always call up your friends for impromptu cocktails, and will probably have to lean on pre-scheduling for most of your get-togethers. Whatever you do, just don’t overlook this huge change in your social life.
What other things am I forgetting?
Choosing your snowbird destination and how much time you’ll stay there mostly depends on your finances and preferred lifestyle. But you should also think about the reality of your chosen destination!
For example, some areas in the east and south are prone to hurricanes, and you might be required to purchase flood insurance. Yes, you may love the beach, but you need to account for what major expenses could come your way if your property is severely damaged in a storm.
And don’t forget about the tax rate in the state you claim as your second residency.
Depending on your tax situation, it may make more financial sense to claim residency in your snowbird state instead of back home. Popular snowbird states such as Florida, Texas, and Nevada don’t charge income taxes, whereas other states such as California, New York, and New Jersey have high taxes. Just be sure to find out the rules surrounding how many days you need to spend in that state to be considered a resident.
How To Prep for Your Snowbird Migration
Preparing to move to your temporary home is typically less involved than making a one-time move to a new destination. You’ll have less to pack, so the process should require less time and money spent on professional movers. Still, there are crucial preparations to be made.
How to set up a home to sit vacantly
Before leaving, it’s important to close up your home so it can stay safely vacant while you’re away. Here are things to consider:
Set the thermostat between 55-60 degrees so pipes don’t freeze
Shut off the water
Unplug major appliances to save on energy
Test smoke alarms
Lock all doors and windows
Set some lights on a timer
Install guard on the chimney
Clean out gutters
Put outdoor furniture and decorations in storage
Install a camera or home security system
Let your neighbors know you’re leaving
Hire a gardener
Hire a snow removal company, if needed
Preparing for a short-term move
When it comes to moving short-term, start by thinking about what types of professional services you’ll need.
If this is your first time visiting the destination, you may need to ship some items like furniture and appliances. Shipping costs can vary widely, depending on the size, weight, and destination.
Shipping a moving container in the U.S. costs an average of $3,000, while international shipping costs can range between about $1,400 and $6,900.
When you pack, try to clean as you go. The unpacking process will go much smoother at your new place if you can put dishes directly into the cupboards and load up bookshelves without having to stop and dust first.
Going between places is also a great time to downsize! And it’s easy; while going through your belongings and deciding what to pack, simply set aside items that you don’t use or don’t need. Donate anything that’s in good condition and toss the rest (you may need to schedule a bulk trash pickup with your local service). You’ll start your snowbird lifestyle clutter-free, as well as make room for the new things you pick up as you travel.
Snowbird packing essentials
Every time you make the transition between homes, it’s important to ensure you have certain essentials with you. Be sure to bring the following:
The correct important documents: You’ll need identification, such as your driver’s license and passport, copies of your insurance policies (e.g., health, auto, and insurance for both homes), as well as important medical information like paper copies of prescriptions.
Medications: Speaking of prescriptions, it’s important to stock up on medications before leaving town. Have enough to last through the trip, plus extra in case you get delayed. Make sure you have pharmacies established near both homes. Finally, don’t forget to carry a basic first aid kit when traveling between homes (e.g., bandages, gauze, antibiotic ointment).
Appropriate clothing: Keep in mind that you’ll need to pack for the weather you’re moving to, not what you’re moving from. Of course, you might keep a few things at each location, but be sure you have boots and a winter coat when traveling north and lightweight items with sun protection when heading south.
Tech and gadgets: Bring along your most used tech items (e.g., tablet, laptop, phone, etc.) and all the associated accessories (e.g., chargers, wall plugs, portable batteries, etc.).
Creature comforts: Is there a brand of coffee you can’t live without and can only get from that one café at home? Is your dog obsessed with a certain squeaky toy? Don’t forget to pack the things that make your two houses feel like home!
Think critically about what to bring vs. what to buy or rent
While it’s nice to have a double set of everything you own, it might not make financial sense to buy a whole house’s worth of stuff twice (at least, not right away).
Think about what items are key and which ones you can do without or rent/borrow when you’re at your snowbird location. As you spend more time there, you inevitably gather more of the items it turns out you really need.
When it comes to important paperwork, such as birth certificates, Social Security cards, etc., it’s best not to travel with the original copies. Keep those in a fire-proof safe or deposit box at a bank, and make copies to keep inside your second home.
Vehicle transportation
Most snowbirds drive their vehicle back and forth between their two homes, or drive a second vehicle south to keep at their winter destination. Keep in mind that this can involve multi-day trips, with hotel, gas, and food stops along the way. Look for hotel discounts or places that include breakfast to save money.
The average cost to ship a car is around $2.00 per mile for short moves of less than 200 miles, according to Forbes. The price drops to $0.58 per mile for long-distance moves of 1,500 miles or more.
Securing valuables
When it comes to valuables like expensive jewelry or art, again, it’s best not to travel back and forth with them. At the same time, you want to be sure that wherever you do leave these items, they’re safe while you’re gone. (The last thing you want is to stress about what would happen if someone broke in or a pipe burst.)
Your best bet for storing important or valuable items is a safe deposit box. This will ensure that your belongings aren’t susceptible to theft or damage. The second-best option is a secure and well-hidden safe that’s attached to the wall or floor. Again, installing a security system plus having neighbors keep an eye on your place can provide extra peace of mind.
International moving considerations
If you are moving internationally, you’ll also want to consider factors such as the exchange rate, the cost of living, travel prices, and more. For example, your dollar may go much further in a destination overseas, but if the plane tickets are expensive, it may not make financial sense to fly back and forth twice a year.
Also, consider the local language. If the last time you spoke Spanish or Portuguese was your Sophomore year of high school, you may need to brush up on your skills so you can communicate effectively in your new destination. Some countries also have rules around how long you can stay in town, and you might need to apply for a special visa to stay for several months.
Top Snowbird Destinations
Not sure where to claim “Home No. 2” yet? Here are some of the best snowbird destinations in the U.S. based on weather, cost of living, and available activities.
If you prefer a snowbird home in the Southwest, one solid option is Scottsdale, Arizona. This city in the Sonoran Desert stays dry year round, though it can get a bit cooler in the winter. The coldest month is December, with temperatures ranging between the mid-60s in the day and mid-40s at night, on average. It’s a great destination for wine lovers, with many vineyards surrounding the city.
If you prefer a warmer and wetter environment, consider Fort Myers, Florida. Here, temperatures sink to a high of 74°F and low of 55°F during the coldest month of January. This is a great city for active people, with plenty of swimming, fishing, and cycling. (Please keep in mind that recent hurricanes have altered the economics in Fort Myers, so it’s imperative that you do your research.)
Those who appreciate a mix of culture and nature will love living in Charleston, South Carolina. It’s home to many historical sites and trendy restaurants, as well as surrounding beaches and islands. The weather rarely dips below the 40s even in the midst of winter, so you can enjoy the outdoors year-round.
Home to “winter Texans,” as they’re affectionately known, Galveston is another excellent destination during colder months. It’s a charming city with Victorian architecture, golfing, and horse trails, yet is close to major cities like Houston if you want to change things up with a more Urban experience. Its coldest month is typically January, when the lows hit about 49°F, on average.
If you’re looking for a city with lots of activities and plenty of nightlife, Las Vegas is without a doubt your top destination. Along the strip, casinos go all out with winter decorations, but the daytime temperature hovers in the 50s, so you won’t feel the need to stay couped up indoors. You’ll also be able to attend many concerts and live events, as well as find award-winning dining and world-class shopping.
Mexico
This list would not be complete without mentioning that Mexico is an ideal place to live seasonally. Home to places like Puerto Peñasco (otherwise known as “Rocky Point”) and Nuevo Vallarta in Jalisco, Mexico is forever a beautiful and temperate destination. (Ensenada in Baja California and Quintana Roo are also highly recommended places to wait out the cold season.)
2021 Study: Where Americans Moved To Retire in 2021
Only 226,000 Americans moved to retire in 2021, the lowest number in seven years
Nearly half (47%) of Americans who moved after retiring this year went to a different state, compared to just 16% of all people moving
Early retirees (i.e., those younger than 65) were even more likely to leave their state (64%)
Tennessee (13%)—the state with one of the lowest tax burdens in the U.S.—is 2021’s top destination state for Americans retiring outside their home state
About 7% of Americans relocating for retirement in 2021 went to Pittsburgh, PA, more than any other city
Early retirees accounted for 40% of those moving for retirement in 2021
Retirees of color make up just 12% of those moving for retirement, as 88% of retirement movers are white Americans
According to recent estimates, COVID forced up to 3 million Americans to retire earlier than planned. This development pushed the percentage of people aged 55 and over who are retired to 50%, which is 2% higher than it was before the pandemic.
All things being equal, this means we’d expect to see a spike in the number of people who moved for retirement, but that didn’t happen. Quite to the contrary, the number of retirees who moved in 2021 dropped to 226,000—roughly 43% fewer than in the year previous. It’s also the lowest number of American retirees in the last five years!
More Retired, but Fewer Moved: The Decline in Retirement Moves in 2021
The trend for retirees this year is clear. But what are the causes? There could be a few plausible reasons for this discrepancy.
Why are fewer retirees moving?
1) COVID: It may seem like the pandemic is coming to an end, but it’s worth remembering that older Americans were the cohort hardest hit by the virus, with rates of infection, hospitalization, and death highest for folks over 65. It’s therefore conceivable that many would-be retirees had COVID, had to care for someone who had it or were otherwise affected by it. This may have undermined their willingness and ability to relocate.
2) Housing market: After a turbulent 2020, to say that the housing market rebounded this year would be a huge understatement. Prices continue to climb at a record pace, especially in the desirable quiet, quaint, low-on-crime, high-on-sunshine neighborhoods retirees tend to seek out. Meaning, despite the fact that most retirees downsize, they may be getting priced out of places where they’d like to retire.
3) Lack of retirement savings: Many Americans lacked retirement savings due to having to spend them to sustain themselves or support their families even before the pandemic. This situation has arguably gotten worse in recent years, with one recent study finding that 14 million Americans stopped contributing to their pension plans.
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Most Stay Put, But Those that Go, Go Far: How American Retirees Moved in 2021
Despite dwindling numbers of retiring Americans deciding to relocate, those that do make that decision tend to travel a lot further than a typical person moving in 2021.
Americans moving for retirement were three times as likely to leave their state than of those moving for work, family, or any other reason (47% vs 16%).
This also constitutes a 10% increase on last year’s figures, where only 38% of people relocating for retirement decided to move out of their home state.
High Affordability, Low Taxes: Tennessee Top State Choice for Retirement Moves
Last year it was Virginia, this year it’s Tennessee; the Volunteer State was chosen by 13% of Americans moving out of state for retirement, the highest percentage of all U.S. states.
“Curiously enough, Tennessee was even more popular among early retirees. As many as one in five (20%) Americans under 65 who left their state for retirement moved to Tennessee.”
Tennessee is not only home to vibrant Nashville and Memphis, but is also the state with the lowest tax burden in the country, after Alaska.
Meanwhile, Florida, the staple in any top destinations for retirement list, wasn’t that far off the top spot.11% of retirees who left their home state relocated to the Sunshine State in 2021. Pennsylvania (10%), North Carolina (10%), and South Carolina (9.4%) round off the top five.
Curiously enough, Tennessee was even more popular among early retirees. As many as one in five (20%) Americans under 65 who left their state for retirement moved to Tennessee.
Great Healthcare, Affordable Housing: Pittsburgh, PA Tops Retirement Destinations City List
Technically speaking, areas outside cities and metropolitan areas were the most preferred destinations for retirees, as 26% of Americans who moved for retirement headed to smaller towns and cities far from urban areas.
The city attracting the highest percentage of retirees is in Pennsylvania, and it’s Pittsburgh. Once ranked as the best place to retire by Bankrate due to its low cost of living, excellent healthcare system, and a significant number of inhabitants being 65 or older, Pittsburgh was the top city destination of choice for 7% of all retirees in the U.S. in 2021
“An overwhelming majority of Americans moving for retirement in 2021 were white (88%); only 12% of those retiring and relocating were people of color.”
Three metropolitan areas from Tennessee also made the top 10. Kingsport-Bristol, TN-VA was the destination of choice for 3.9% of Americans relocating for retirement. A further 3.5% chose Nashville-Davidson-Murfreesboro , while 3% opted for Johnson City, TN.
Two Florida metros featured in the top 10 with Lakeland-Winter Haven, FL and Fort Myers-Cape Coral, FL representing the Sunshine State with roughly 3.5% of retirees moving to these metropolitan areas.
Worth noting that two of the most popular metropolitan areas to relocate for retirement were around Los Angeles and San Francisco in California.
Departing Delaware, Moving Out of Maryland: the States Retirees Were Most Likely to Leave
On the flip side, states which saw the highest percentage of retirees choosing to move out for retirement were Delaware and Maryland, where 22% of people moving to retire decided to leave. In Utah, which was top of our ranking last year had a share of 19% defectors.
Following them, a number of states, including Virginia and New Jersey, had 15% of their retirement moves headed outside the state.
Who Is Moving for Retirement in America: Retirement Moves by Demographic
In a year immediately following the pandemic, which cohorts of senior citizens were most and least likely to relocate for retirement?
Men (53%) are the majority among senior citizens relocating for retirement (47% are listed as women). Married couples accounted for 77% of retirement moves, while only 23% were single (which includes those divorced, widowed, and those never married).
An overwhelming majority of Americans moving for retirement in 2021 were white (88%); only 12% of those retiring and relocating were people of color.
To calculate the most moved-in and most moved-out states and cities, we took the percentage of all retirees in 2021 who moved or left a state or city. “Early retirees” was operationalized as any retiree younger than 65.
2020 Study: Where Do Americans Move When They Retire?
Almost 400,000 thousand Americans moved for retirement, the highest number in five years
30% more people moved for retirement in 2020 than a year before
Retirees are 2x as likely to move to a different state than all other movers
Virginia was the most popular retirement destination in 2020, 15% of retirees who left their state retired there
7% of all Americans who moved for retirement went to Orlando, FL
26% of retirees chose to move away from cities and metropolitan areas
Women were more likely to choose Virginia for their retirement, while men preferred Florida
Hundreds of thousands of Americans who retire each year are faced with a choice: stay put and continue living where they are, or take a leap and move somewhere they maybe always wanted to live.
It turns out that an increasing number of retirees in the United States choose the latter. In this piece, we examine how many Americans leave their homes to retire elsewhere, what states and cities they choose for their retirement, and just how likely they are to retire away from home than 20 years ago.
Moving for Retirement on the Rise
More and more Americans are moving for retirement. Some, as we noted in our previous study, move abroad for better weather and lower cost of living. The overwhelming majority stays in the U.S., but they are hardly staying put.
According to the US Census Bureau, 35% more people moved for retirement in 2019 than 10 years prior. And while the 2019 figure of 397,00 is some way off the 2015 peak of 417,000, if we look at the overall trend, since 2011 the retirement moves are only going one way – up.
Senior Movers More Likely to Leave Their State
Not only are retirees moving in droves, but they’re also willing to travel further than those moving for other reasons. While we can’t know the figures on the exact distances of moves, we do know that 38% of Americans who moved for retirement moved to a different state—meaning they’re twice as likely to cross state lines as the general population (19%).
Beyond Florida: Where Do Americans Move to Retire?
If you were guessing, you would probably say that most people who move to retire move to Florida. And you’d be right, but not quite as right as you might think.
Sure enough, Florida is the number one destination for Americans who left their home state for retirement in the last ten years. But if we only looked at the year 2020, we’d find that the most popular state was Virginia, attracting 15% of all retirement moves from out of state.
“…if we only looked at the year 2020, we’d find that the most popular state was Virginia, attracting 15% of all retirement moves from out of state.”
Cracking into the top 10 of both Kiplinger’s and WalletHub’s rankings, Virginia is known for its tax-friendliness, good access to healthcare, and lower cost of living than Florida. It may well have been these factors that allowed it to edge out the Sunshine State as the top destination in 2020.
As many as 13.5% went to Florida, and one in ten (10%) of retirees who went out of state relocated to Wyoming. Pennsylvania and Idaho were the 3rd and 4th most popular destinations for, respectively, 7% and 5% of all retirees choosing to retire outside their home state.
If these are the states retired Americans are flocking to, which states are they leaving behind? Turns out Utah is the state American retirees are most likely to leave. Odd, considering the beautiful landscapes and slower pace of life, but 17.3% of all Americans who left their state for retirement came from Utah.
Maryland and California came in second and third place, each contributing around 11%-12% of all interstate retirement moves.
Seaworld, Disney, and Putt-Putt Golfing: Orlando #1 City for Retirement
Virginia might have beaten Utah at the state level, but Orlando reigns supreme as the retirement destination among metro areas in the US. Roughly 7% of all retirement moves in 2020 were destined for Orlando.
Behind Orlando, and each attracting around 5% of the retirees, are three metros in Virginia—Roanoke, Charlottesville, and Virginia Beach-Norfolk-Newport News.
Curiously enough, there were 15 metropolitan areas (read: cities) that were so popular that half of all the retirement moves Americans made in 2020 were to one of these cities. Check our map below to see what these 15 retirement hotspots are:
Going Off The Grid: A Quarter Of Retirees Leave Cities Behind
Half of the retirees may well have moved to a city or a town in a built-up metropolitan area like Orlando or Virginia Beach-Norfolk, but one in four (26%) retirement moves was a move out of the city.
From our COVID moving study covering the first months of COVID pandemic, we already knew that Americans are rethinking their choice to live in big cities, many choosing to abandon the likes of New York and San Francisco for comforts and lower cost of living on offer in smaller towns across the U.S.
“Turns out Utah is the state American retirees are most likely to leave.”
If people who work remotely choose to move to the country, what is there to stop retirees from taking the same path?
Seeking peace and quiet in old age is by no means surprising, but considering that 83% of the American population live in urban areas, for a quarter of our retiring population to leave cities behind is a significant shift.
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Women And Singles Retire In Virginia, Men And Married Couples Move To Florida
While retirement moves of men and women mostly align, a few curiosities emerge in their choices of retirement destinations.
Male retirees overwhelmingly retire in Florida, with as many as 15% of men who moved states for retirement choosing the Sunshine State as their destination in 2020. Retiring women, on the other hand, were more likely to choose Virginia, as 17% of women retiring out of state heading to this state on the East Coast.
On a related note, Virginia is also a beacon for retirees who aren’t married. Some 15% of moves made by single retirees (including those divorced and widowed) were to the Old Dominion.
Florida, on the other hand, remained more popular with married couples, with 16% of married retirees who moved out of state to retire going to the Sunshine State.
Even in the year of the pandemic, people’s desire for a peaceful retirement found a way to prevail. The year 2020 saw the second-highest number of people move for retirement in the better part of 20 years—a trend that’s likely to continue in the future.
Whether you choose Florida for one of its many retirement communities, Virginia for its tax friendliness, or Wyoming for its beautiful natural expanses, make sure to plan your move properly. At HireAHelper, we can hook you up with exactly the right help you might need to make your move.
Sources & Methodology
All the percentages, graphs, maps, and visualizations are based on the data from the Current Population Survey – a Census Bureau survey reaching around 60,000 Americans each year – for the years 2010 through 2020 (latest year available). Only responses of those who relocated to their current place of residence for retirement were analyzed.
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In last year’s study of retirement moves, the COVID-19 pandemic was very much the central theme in many people’s moves.
What about living in an RV?
Most snowbirds drive their vehicle back and forth between their two homes, or drive a second vehicle south to keep at their winter destination. Keep in mind that this can involve multi-day trips, with hotel, gas, and food stops along the way. Look for hotel discounts or places that include breakfast to save money.
While retirement moves of men and women mostly align, a few curiosities emerge in their choices of retirement destinations.