Florida has once again cemented its status as the nation’s premier retirement destination, claiming 53 of the 250 locations on U.S. News & World Report’s 2026 list of Best Places to Retire .

However, a significant shift in the publication’s methodology led the Sunshine State to cede the coveted No. 1 position, previously held by Naples, to Midland, Michigan.

The new rankings, which incorporated a public survey to weight indexes like Quality of Life (27%) and Value (24%) more heavily, saw a shake-up at the very top. Midland, MI, ranked first with an Overall Score of 6.8, driven primarily by affordability—boasting a median home value of $206,142 and a median monthly rent of $790.

Naples, Florida, the former No. 1, dropped to 18th place, likely due to its significantly higher housing c

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