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For decades, Florida has been the quintessential retirement destination. Sunny beaches, low taxes and great weather all make the Sunshine State seem like the perfect place to spend your retirement years.
However, that brand has lost some of its appeal recently. Florida’s ongoing property insurance crisis coupled with the rising cost of living has reshaped how many retirees think of the statecom (1)
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The story is clearly visible in migration data: 45,696 people over the age of 65 moved to Florida in 2025, but 44,881 retirees of the same age left during that period, according to HireAHelper’s New Retirement Map (2). The Sunshine State effectively recorded a net gain of just 815 retirees last year, enough to push Florida out of the top 10 states for net retiree migration.
So, where are the retirees who actually ran the numbers going? Three quiet markets keep showing up in the data. And the people already there would rather you skipped this article. Here’s a closer look at those states.
1. South Carolina
The Palmetto State saw a net gain of 5,427 retirees in 2025, higher than any other state in the country, according to the HireAHelper map.
Abundant sunshine and mild winters aren’t the only reason retirees are flocking to South Carolina. In their list of pros and cons of retiring in the state, Edelman Financial Engines (3) says South Carolina offers several tax advantages for those over the age of 65, including an exemption on Social Security benefits, low property taxes and a $50,000 homestead exemption.
Housing is also relatively affordable and there’s a wide variety of retirement communities designed for those over the age of 55.
But South Carolina has one drawback it shares with Florida: natural calamities. Between 2014 and 2025, the state recorded a staggering 14 major disasters, including floods and hurricanes, according to the South Carolina Emergency Management Division (4).
That means if you’re moving to the state for retirement, you might want a robust home insurance policy. By using a comparison platform like Insurify, you can instantly view quotes from top-rated providers to ensure you aren’t paying a hidden “loyalty tax” to your current insurer.
