Retirees Are Relocating

Aug 21, 2025

Retirees Are Relocating: Top 10 U.S. States Drawing Seniors in 2023

Retirees continue to migrate across the U.S., with Florida emerging once again as the leading destination.

According to a SmartAsset analysis of the U.S. Census Bureau’s American Community Survey (2023), Florida experienced the highest net migration of residents aged 60 and older, gaining 44,504 retirees—more than double that of the second-ranked state, North Carolina. By contrast, California saw the largest outflow, losing 56,858 seniors.

While Florida has led retiree migration since at least 2021, the 2023 net gain was notably lower than 2022’s total of 77,290, indicating a slowdown in the pace of retirees moving to the Sunshine State.

Top 10 States Retirees Moved to in 2023 (Net Migration of Age 60+)

  1. Florida — 44,504 (total senior population: 6,515,453)
  2. North Carolina — 20,369 (2,610,422)
  3. Arizona — 20,203 (1,905,562)
  4. South Carolina — 14,676 (1,408,424)
  5. Georgia — 13,789 (2,370,455)
  6. Texas — 10,050 (5,889,582)
  7. Nevada — 5,782 (757,348)
  8. Idaho — 5,182 (463,084)
  9. Oklahoma — 4,940 (925,676)
  10. Delaware — 4,519 (296,881)

Why Florida Stands Out

Despite rising housing and living costs, Florida continues to top retirement destination lists. WalletHub’s 2025 ranking named it the best state to retire in, citing:

  • Tax-friendly policies: no state income tax, no estate tax, and no inheritance tax.

  • Lifestyle benefits: the second-longest shoreline in the U.S., abundant golf courses and country clubs (ranked seventh), and a strong arts and volunteer community.

  • Senior-focused support: robust recreational opportunities and government programs for older residents.

For retirees seeking both financial and lifestyle advantages, Florida’s blend of sunny weather, tax relief, and community engagement remains hard to beat.

Sources:

  • Wu, Natalie. “Retirees are flocking to these 10 U.S. states—No. 1 offers low taxes and sunny weather.” CNBC, July 5, 2025. CNBC Make It

  • SmartAsset. “Where Retirees Are Moving – 2023 Study.” June 2023.

  • WalletHub. “Best & Worst States to Retire.” 2025.