A new study by Mirador Living has revealed the best winter destinations for retirees seeking warm weather and affordability, with Honolulu topping the U.S. rankings and Bali leading internationally.
The analysis ranked 24 U.S. cities and 25 international destinations by their Overall Score, which combines winter temperatures, cost of living, safety, healthcare quality, and lifestyle factors that matter most to retirees.
Key U.S. Findings
- Honolulu ranks first in the U.S. with an Overall Score of 82.00, offering average winter highs of 81°F and exceptional walkability.
- Florida dominates the top rankings, claiming 7 of the top 10 positions with cities like Miami, Key West, and Naples.
- Arizona and California round out the top tier, with Scottsdale and San Diego offering warm winters and strong healthcare infrastructure.
- Across the top 10, average winter temperatures exceed 70°F, providing consistent warmth for retirees escaping cold climates.
Warmest and Most Affordable Winter Getaways in the U.S.
| Rank | City/Location | State | Winter Avg High (°F) | Winter Avg Low (°F) | Cost of Living Index | Safety Index | Walkability Score | Senior Population (%) | Healthcare Score | Number of Activities | Proximity to Airport (Minutes) | Overall Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Honolulu | Hawaii | 81 | 68 | 97.30 | 167.80 | 66 | 22 | 3.50 | 1022 | 9 | 82.00 |
| 2 | Miami | Florida | 78 | 64 | 118.90 | 276.30 | 77 | 16 | 2.86 | 837 | 13 | 67.80 |
| 3 | Key West | Florida | 75 | 65 | 148.20 | 204.40 | 63 | 21 | 4.00 | 337 | 5 | 65.00 |
| 4 | Naples | Florida | 76 | 54 | 113.00 | 106.20 | 35 | 56 | 2.00 | 151 | 37 | 63.60 |
| 5 | Orlando | Florida | 73 | 51 | 106.00 | 433.90 | 41 | 12 | 3.67 | 603 | 19 | 60.50 |
| 6 | Tampa | Florida | 71 | 52 | 104.20 | 204.50 | 50 | 14 | 3.33 | 167 | 8 | 59.90 |
| 7 | Fort Lauderdale | Florida | 77 | 60 | 110.50 | 410.80 | 56 | 22 | 2.50 | 321 | 7 | 59.60 |
| 8 | Scottsdale | Arizona | 68 | 46 | 113.00 | 142.10 | 32 | 27 | 3.33 | 142 | 13 | 58.00 |
| 9 | San Diego | California | 66 | 49 | 154.90 | 196.50 | 53 | 14 | 4.20 | 548 | 6 | 56.10 |
| 10 | Santa Barbara | California | 65 | 44 | 154.70 | 272.30 | 61 | 23 | 5.00 | 135 | 13 | 55.10 |
| 11 | Los Angeles | California | 68 | 48 | 161.70 | 285.50 | 69 | 14 | 3.07 | 952 | 23 | 52.20 |
| 12 | Phoenix | Arizona | 68 | 46 | 113.00 | 351.30 | 41 | 12 | 3.18 | 234 | 7 | 51.70 |
| 13 | Charleston | South Carolina | 62 | 41 | 112.00 | 195.20 | 40 | 15 | 3.33 | 278 | 19 | 49.50 |
| 14 | Tucson | Arizona | 67 | 40 | 97.00 | 356.70 | 43 | 17 | 2.71 | 86 | 16 | 49.10 |
| 15 | Jacksonville | Florida | 65 | 43 | 95.70 | 308.40 | 26 | 16 | 3.00 | 86 | 16 | 49.00 |
| 16 | Austin | Texas | 65 | 44 | 129.10 | 326.20 | 42 | 10 | 3.67 | 244 | 13 | 48.70 |
| 17 | Las Vegas | Nevada | 58 | 39 | 110.60 | 278.90 | 42 | 17 | 2.44 | 1179 | 11 | 48.10 |
| 18 | San Antonio | Texas | 64 | 42 | 91.30 | 433.30 | 37 | 13 | 3.29 | 146 | 11 | 48.00 |
| 19 | Palm Springs | California | 70 | 44 | 131.20 | 359.30 | 35 | 34 | 2.00 | 59 | 4 | 47.70 |
| 20 | Houston | Texas | 65 | 46 | 96.90 | 548.40 | 47 | 12 | 3.31 | 236 | 19 | 46.10 |
| 21 | Riverside | California | 69 | 42 | 131.20 | 312.40 | 43 | 12 | 3.33 | 8 | 62 | 45.30 |
| 22 | New Orleans | Louisiana | 64 | 48 | 101.60 | 789.40 | 58 | 18 | 3.25 | 668 | 15 | 44.30 |
| 23 | Dallas | Texas | 57 | 39 | 100.20 | 389.60 | 37 | 12 | 3.20 | 168 | 20 | 39.30 |
| 24 | San Francisco | California | 58 | 46 | 245.50 | 378.00 | 89 | 19 | 3.30 | 882 | 13 | 31.80 |
Dharam Khalsa, CEO and co-founder of Mirador Living, comments:
"The data tells us that retirees don't need to head to expensive Western destinations to find warm winter weather. The Southeast, particularly Florida's Gulf Coast, delivers exceptional value with temperatures consistently in the 70s, robust healthcare systems, and established senior communities, all at costs 30-50% lower than California or Hawaii.
Tampa is the perfect example, as it ranks 6th overall with 71-degree winter days and costs just 4% above the national average. That said, the West Coast trade-off is real; you're paying for better walkability, diverse outdoor activities beyond beaches, and in California's case, more temperate year-round weather. The key is knowing what matters most for your winter getaway. If you're looking to stretch your retirement dollars while escaping the cold, the Southeast is hard to beat."
International Winter Escapes: Where Warmth Meets Value
For retirees seeking international adventure, Southeast Asia and Latin America offer the perfect combination of tropical temperatures and affordable living costs.
Warmest and Most Affordable International Getaways for Retirees
| Rank | Country | City/Place | Winter Avg High (°F) | Winter Avg Low (°F) | Cost of Living Index | Safety Index | Senior Population (%) | Health Care Score | Number of Activities | Overall Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Indonesia | Bali | 88 | 75 | 24.60 | 1.786 | 7 | 42.99 | 6,637 | 71.90 |
| 2 | Thailand | Phuket | 91 | 75 | 35.30 | 2.017 | 15 | 33.01 | 1,824 | 64.10 |
| 2 | Malaysia | Penang | 90 | 76 | 31.10 | 1.469 | 8 | 32.52 | 275 | 64.10 |
| 4 | Sri Lanka | Colombo | 88 | 75 | 32.50 | 2.075 | 12 | 22.50 | 2,839 | 59.20 |
| 5 | Argentina | Buenos Aires | 85 | 64 | 38.30 | 1.768 | 12 | 35.64 | 1,430 | 57.50 |
| 6 | Brazil | Rio de Janeiro | 86 | 73 | 28.60 | 2.472 | 11 | 43.06 | 1,459 | 56.20 |
| 7 | Vietnam | Da Nang | 77 | 66 | 25.90 | 1.721 | 9 | 32.42 | 2,670 | 55.80 |
| 8 | Australia | Gold Coast | 82 | 68 | 63.00 | 1.505 | 18 | 74.11 | 247 | 55.10 |
| 9 | Dominican Republic | Punta Cana | 84 | 71 | 34.70 | 1.996 | 8 | 35.09 | 2,649 | 54.40 |
| 10 | Panama | Panama City | 90 | 75 | 43.30 | 2.006 | 9 | 36.74 | 835 | 54.00 |
| 11 | Philippines | Cebu | 88 | 74 | 29.50 | 2.148 | 5 | 32.55 | 347 | 53.30 |
| 12 | Colombia | Cartagena | 88 | 77 | 28.00 | 2.695 | 10 | 33.38 | 1,176 | 52.90 |
| 13 | Ecuador | Guayaquil | 88 | 72 | 29.30 | 2.459 | 8 | 34.97 | 166 | 52.30 |
| 14 | Costa Rica | Tamarindo | 87 | 75 | 50.30 | 1.843 | 12 | 39.85 | 516 | 51.80 |
| 15 | Chile | Viña del Mar | 77 | 59 | 35.80 | 1.899 | 14 | 32.88 | 130 | 49.00 |
| 16 | Portugal | Algarve | 61 | 48 | 45.80 | 1.371 | 25 | 51.99 | 1,527 | 48.60 |
| 17 | South Africa | Cape Town | 79 | 60 | 32.00 | 2.347 | 7 | 33.22 | 2,870 | 46.30 |
| 18 | Morocco | Marrakech | 66 | 45 | 30.00 | 2.012 | 8 | 34.78 | 7,404 | 46.10 |
| 19 | Peru | Cusco | 68 | 43 | 30.00 | 2.073 | 9 | 33.65 | 3,709 | 42.90 |
| 20 | Mexico | Puerto Vallarta | 81 | 62 | 37.60 | 2.636 | 8 | 41.63 | 790 | 41.50 |
| 21 | Spain | Málaga | 61 | 46 | 48.60 | 1.578 | 21 | 48.13 | 719 | 40.00 |
| 22 | Italy | Sicily | 59 | 47 | 57.20 | 1.662 | 25 | 49.58 | 2,978 | 39.00 |
| 23 | Greece | Crete | 59 | 48 | 51.00 | 1.764 | 24 | 46.24 | 2,023 | 38.40 |
| 24 | Guatemala | Antigua | 73 | 54 | 37.90 | 2.174 | 5 | 27.90 | 187 | 33.40 |
| 25 | Cyprus | Paphos | 63 | 50 | 55.20 | 1.933 | 15 | 44.72 | 214 | 28.50 |
Regional Insights:
Southeast Asian Excellence: Indonesia, Thailand, and Malaysia dominate the top rankings, offering winter temperatures consistently above 88°F with living costs 60-75% below the U.S. average.
Latin American Appeal: Argentina, Brazil, and the Dominican Republic provide warm winters paired with vibrant culture and established expat communities.
European Comfort: Portugal's Algarve region leads European destinations, offering familiar Western infrastructure with Mediterranean charm at moderate costs.
The Australia Premium: Gold Coast ranks eighth globally, delivering exceptional safety and healthcare but at costs closer to U.S. levels.
Dharam Khalsa adds:
"The cost savings of international winter getaways are extraordinary. American retirees can reduce their living expenses by 70-85% by choosing destinations like Bali, Phuket, or Penang over Honolulu or Miami, while actually enjoying warmer weather and richer cultural experiences.
At just 24.6% of US cost of living, Bali allows retirees to live comfortably on $500-700 per month, freeing up retirement savings for travel, healthcare, or simply peace of mind. That said, international retirement isn't without trade-offs. Southeast Asian destinations offer incredible value and warmth, but healthcare systems rank lower globally, and language barriers can be challenging. For retirees willing to embrace adventure and do their homework on healthcare access, the financial and lifestyle benefits are remarkable. The key is being realistic about what you're gaining - significant cost savings and perpetual summer - and what you're trading - familiar healthcare systems and Western conveniences."
Methodologies
U.S. Cities: The study evaluated cities based on eight key factors that matter most to seniors seeking comfortable, affordable, and engaging winter retreats.
To compile the list of candidate cities, researchers searched online listicles and travel guides focused on winter travel destinations for retirees. This identified warm-weather locations where average winter high temperatures remain above 57°F during December through February.
Winter temperature data was sourced from CurrentResults.com, using historical weather averages from 1991 to 2020. Cost of living data came from BestPlaces.net, with indexes comparing each city to the national average of 100. Safety data was collected from City-Data.com's crime indexes based on FBI Uniform Crime Reports, where lower scores indicate safer communities.
Healthcare quality scores were calculated using hospital star ratings (1-5 scale) from Medicare.gov's Care Compare tool. For each city, researchers identified hospitals within the metro area and calculated average ratings. Walkability scores came from Walk Score. Senior population percentages were sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey, tracking residents aged 65 and older. Activity counts were gathered from TripAdvisor's "Things to Do" listings. Airport proximity was measured using Google Maps to calculate driving time to the nearest major commercial airport.
Each metric was normalized to a 0-100 scale. The final overall score used weighted factors reflecting retiree priorities: winter temperature (25%), cost of living (20%), safety (15%), healthcare quality (15%), number of activities (10%), senior population (8%), airport proximity (5%), and walkability (2%).
International Countries: The study evaluated countries based on six key factors for seniors seeking comfortable, affordable international winter retreats.
To compile the list, researchers searched online listicles and travel guides focused on winter destinations for American retirees, identifying locations where average winter high temperatures remain above 59°F during December through February.
Winter temperature data was sourced from Weather-Atlas.com, using historical averages for popular retirement cities within each country. Researchers selected coastal or southern destinations rather than capitals when appropriate to reflect actual retiree travel patterns. Cost of living data came from Numbeo.com's country-level indexes. Safety data was collected from the Global Peace Index, where lower scores indicate safer countries. Healthcare quality scores were sourced from CEOWORLD Magazine's 2025 rankings of countries with the best healthcare systems. Senior population percentages came from the World Bank's database tracking residents aged 65 and older. Activity counts were gathered from TripAdvisor's "Things to Do" listings for the specific city within each country.
Each metric was normalized to a 0-100 scale. For metrics where higher values indicate better outcomes (temperature, senior population, healthcare, activities), researchers used standard min-max normalization. For metrics where lower values are preferable (cost of living, safety), the scale was reversed so that more affordable and safer destinations received higher scores.
The final overall score used weighted factors emphasizing warmth and affordability: winter temperature (30%), cost of living (20%), safety (15%), senior population (15%), healthcare quality (10%), and number of activities (10%).
