What Are the Best Places in the U.S. for Snowbirds?

Winters can be brutal, especially for those who have lived full lives and carry a fair share of aches and pains. Why suffer through another winter when you can migrate south like a bird to enjoy sunshine and balmy days? That’s exactly what millions of snowbirds do each year during the long, dreary winter months in the North. The United States offers a flight of flavors for snowbirds to enjoy from the soft, sun-soaked sands of Florida to the arid, awe-inspiring lands of Arizona. With so many options, choosing the perfect place for snowbirds to rest their wings can be challenging. The team at Florida Rentals is proud to present this comprehensive guide to the best places for snowbirds using data from a range of reputable sources. Snowbird weather is key, of course, but we also explored factors such as cost of living, taxes, and demographics to help hopeful snowbirds choose the coziest nest for their winter escape.

What Is a Snowbird?

A snowbird is an endearing term that describes someone who chooses to migrate from a colder region to warmer climates during the winter months. Popular snowbird locations in the United States include the Sun Belt (the area that spans the Southeast and Southwest, from Florida to California) and Hawaii. While snowbirds tend to be retired or older, there has been a notable rise in younger snowbirds purchasing seasonal homes since the COVID-19 pandemic created more flexible work arrangements and other significant shifts in lifestyles and priorities.

What Is the Best State for Snowbirds?

It may be no surprise that Florida has achieved the highest ranking among our best states for snowbirds analysis. While Florida’s wonderful weather year-round scored many points for snowbirds, it also has relatively low taxes and a high population of people 65 and older. Here are the top ten best states for snowbirds and the feature that earned them the most points (out of 100):

1. Florida – 88.19 points (Weather)
2. South Carolina – 85.91 points (Weather)
3. New Mexico – 84.41 points (Cost of Living)
4. Arizona – 84.19 points (Weather)
5. Mississippi – 84.13 points (Cost of Living)
6. Arkansas – 83.13 points (Cost of Living)
7. Oklahoma – 83.12 points (Cost of Living)
8. Hawaii – 83.03 points (Weather)
9. Alabama – 82.28 points (Cost of Living)
10. North Carolina – 81.67 points (Weather)

Let’s take a closer look at a couple of these. In fourth place is Arizona, known for its sweeping vistas and vast deserts. For snowbirds, Arizona thrives with its near-constant clear days and distinct lack of snow. While many might consider the best state for winter weather to be the hottest, the Arthritis Foundation has stated that humidity, air pressure, and wind speed may have more impact on pain than temperature. Arizona is one of the least humid states in the country, making it ideal for snowbirds concerned about chronic pain.

In sixth place is Arkansas, the state with the lowest cost of living according to U.S. News and World Report. For many snowbirds, it is important to strike a balance between affordability and the ideal climate. Fortunately, many of the most affordable states also offer the best weather for snowbirds!

What Is the Best County for Snowbirds?

One facet of the wonder of America is the incredible variety in climates, cultures, and communities across the country. Each state represents a unique tapestry of places, which could be a paradise for one person to settle down in or a dead end to escape from for another. While it is easy to say Florida is the best state for snowbirds, digging deeper to provide more valuable and actionable information was necessary. We analyzed all counties with at least 50,000 residents within the top states for snowbirds to create a more insightful “snowbird map” of the United States. For snowbirds, Florida truly shines with 60% of the top 10 counties. Here are the top five:

1. Citrus County, FL – 88.12 out of 100 points
2. Highlands County, FL – 86.78 out of 100 points
3. Sumter County, FL – 86.61 out of 100 points
4. Mohave County, AZ – 83.66 out of 100 points
5. Oconee County, SC – 82.33 out of 100 points

Here is a fun fact about Sumter County, Florida: it is the third-highest county for snowbirds and has the most residents aged 65 years or older. With 57.1% of the population being 65 or older, this community is ideal for senior snowbirds seeking sun, warmth, and relaxation.

We Love Snowbirds

Here at Florida Rentals, we are beyond proud of the Sunshine State and its well-deserved reputation as the best destination for snowbirds. It has some of the best winter weather in the country and ranks second in the percentage of people aged 65 and older, after Maine, which is lovely but doesn’t offer much snowbird weather. It is also home to Naples, a warm and vibrant oasis often cited as the best city for snowbirds. How many snowbirds come to Florida each year? While it is challenging to provide a precise number, it is estimated that Florida snowbirds reach well over one million each year, increasing the population of Florida by as much as 5% during the snowbird months! It is safe to say that our study findings are backed up by Florida’s popularity for snowbirds.

Of course, becoming a Florida snowbird can be easier said than done, especially for those who must be mindful of a budget. What is the cheapest way to be a snowbird in Florida? Extra Space Storage has provided a fantastic guide to budget-friendly snowbird living, which includes a tip about finding short-term rentals. No matter where you choose to escape the chill and soak up the sun, we have an abundant selection of Florida snowbird rentals to suit every budget, style, and destination. Inspired by Citrus County’s success on our index? Check out our dazzling array of Central West vacation rentals — no shoveling or bulky winter coats required!

The Best States for Snowbirds

Methodology

The best states for snowbirds were determined by analyzing all 50 states using four key metrics to find top winter destinations. These metrics included the percentage of the population over the age of 65, the combined state and local sales tax, the average monthly cost of living (including housing and food), and typical winter weather conditions such as average temperature, humidity, the number of clear days, and annual snowfall. The four metrics were assigned different weights in the final score, which totals 100 points, with weather weighted the most since it is the main reason snowbirds seek warmer locations during the winter. Our analysis highlights the 15 best states for snowbirds to consider moving to during the winter.

The Four Metrics Used to Determine the Best States for Snowbirds (Weight on the Final Score)

• Population Ages 65 Years and Over (20%)
  • Percentage of Population 65 Years and Over
• Sales Taxes (10%)
  • State Tax Rate
  • Average Local Tax Rate
  • Average Combined Tax Rate (State and Local)
• Cost of Living (20%)
  • Average Cost of Living per Month
  • Average Cost of Housing per Month
  • Average Cost of Food per Month
• Weather (50%)
  • Average Winter Temperature Between December and February
  • Average Relative Humidity in the Afternoon in Winter
  • Average Number of Clear Days in Winter (When cloud covers at most 30% of the sky during daylight hours)
  • Average Number of Days per Year it Snows at Least 0.1 Inches

The Best Counties for Snowbirds

Methodology

The best counties for snowbirds were determined by compiling a list of all counties from the top 15 states that have at least 50,000 residents and where at least 25% of the population is aged 65 and over. From there, the 28 counties that met the criteria were also scored on the percentage of the population 65 years and over, the combined state and county sales tax, the average monthly cost of living (including housing and food), and the average winter temperature in each county. The four metrics were equally weighted to calculate a final score, which is out of 100 points.

The Most Populous City/Town in Each of the Counties

The following states ranked in the top 15 but did not have any counties that met the criteria to be included in the county-level analysis: Alabama, Delaware, Louisiana, Mississippi, and Oklahoma.

Sources

State Data

https://www.census.gov/
https://taxfoundation.org/data/all/state/2024-sales-taxes/
https://www.forbes.com/advisor/mortgages/cost-of-living-by-state/
https://www.currentresults.com/Weather/US/weather-averages-index.php

County Data

https://www.census.gov/quickfacts/
https://www.avalara.com/taxrates/en/state-rates.html
https://www.epi.org/resources/budget/budget-map/
https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/access/monitoring/climate-at-a-glance/county/mapping

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