10 Best Warm-Weather Places to Retire in 2027 (No Snow, Mild Winters)

Direct Answer

The best overall warm-weather place to retire in 2027 is Sarasota, Florida, where winter highs near 72°F, no state income tax, and a top-rated beach culture combine with strong healthcare at Sarasota Memorial Hospital. The best value pick is Las Cruces, New Mexico, with a median home price near $290,000, 350+ days of sun, and a low cost of living.

This list is for retirees who want to escape cold winters and snow shoveling for good, prioritizing mild climate alongside cost and healthcare. Picks range from Gulf and Atlantic coast cities to dry Southwest desert towns, all with winters that rarely freeze. Every place below is real, and they are ranked on winter climate, cost of living, state tax treatment, and healthcare access using NOAA climate normals, Census, and Tax Foundation data.

1. Sarasota, Florida 🏆 BEST OVERALL

Sarasota offers the warm-weather retirement ideal: average January highs near 72°F, almost no freezing days, and beaches like Siesta Key regularly ranked among the best in the U.S. Florida's no state income tax seals the appeal.

The median home price runs near $480,000 — higher than inland Florida — but the lifestyle, arts scene, and Sarasota Memorial Hospital (a nationally recognized facility) justify it for many. Homeowners insurance is the usual Florida caveat, averaging around $6,000 a year.

Beyond the beaches, Sarasota offers the Ringling Museum, an opera and ballet, and a dining scene that punches above its size, plus easy access to Tampa's airport about an hour north. The barrier islands of Longboat Key and Lido Key add upscale coastal options.

It ranks #1 because it pairs near-perfect winters and beach access with no income tax and excellent healthcare in a city built around an active retiree population. It is for retirees who want classic Florida coastal living and can budget for the housing and insurance.

2. Las Cruces, New Mexico 💎 BEST VALUE

Las Cruces sits in southern New Mexico's high desert with over 350 sunny days a year, mild winters (January highs near 57°F), and dry heat in summer. The median home price near $290,000 and a low cost of living make it a standout value.

New Mexico exempts a portion of Social Security and offers retirement deductions, and property taxes are low. Memorial Medical Center serves the city, with larger options in nearby El Paso.

Home to New Mexico State University and bordering the Organ Mountains, Las Cruces offers a relaxed pace, a lively farmers market, and access to the Mesilla Valley's pecan orchards and chile farms. El Paso's international airport and larger hospitals sit about 45 minutes south.

It earns Best Value because no other warm, dry city on this list offers homes near $290,000 with this much sunshine and a low overall cost of living. It is for retirees who prefer dry desert warmth to humidity.

3. Tucson, Arizona

Tucson delivers dry desert warmth with January highs near 66°F and a flat 2.5% state income tax plus no tax on Social Security. The median home price near $360,000 is lower than Phoenix, and the cost of living is moderate.

The city is surrounded by mountains and Saguaro National Park, with Banner University Medical Center anchoring healthcare. Summer highs exceed 100°F regularly, the main trade-off.

The University of Arizona anchors a college-town culture with arts, sports, and a strong food scene recognized by UNESCO. Hiking in the Catalina Mountains and Sabino Canyon is minutes from the city, and many retirees migrate north for the hottest summer weeks.

It ranks here for retirees who want desert scenery, mild winters, and low income tax at a lower cost than the Phoenix metro.

4. Fort Myers, Florida

Fort Myers offers January highs near 75°F — among the warmest winters in the continental U.S. — and no state income tax. The median home price near $370,000 is more affordable than Naples just to the south.

The Gulf Coast beaches, golf, and the Lee Health hospital system draw retirees. Hurricane exposure and rebuilding from recent storms are real considerations on this stretch of coast.

Sanibel and Captiva islands, known for shelling, and the Caloosahatchee River add recreation, while the riverfront downtown has been revitalized with restaurants and galleries. Spring training baseball brings two MLB teams to the area each year.

It earns its spot for retirees wanting the warmest Florida winters at a lower price than the most expensive coastal markets.

5. Brownsville, Texas

Brownsville, at the southern tip of Texas, has January highs near 71°F and no state income tax. The median home price near $200,000 makes it one of the most affordable warm-weather retirement spots in the country.

The Gulf Coast location near South Padre Island offers beaches, and Valley Baptist Medical Center serves the area. Summers are hot and humid, and the metro is more modest in amenities than larger cities.

It ranks here for budget-focused retirees who want genuinely warm winters and the cheapest coastal housing on this list.

6. Myrtle Beach, South Carolina

Myrtle Beach offers mild winters (January highs near 58°F), 60 miles of Atlantic coastline, and South Carolina's retirement-income deduction plus no Social Security tax. The median home price near $310,000 is reasonable for a beach market.

Golf is a major draw, with dozens of courses, and Grand Strand Medical Center provides care. Summers are hot and humid, and hurricane season requires planning.

Beyond the beaches and golf, the Grand Strand offers the Murrells Inlet seafood marsh walk, Brookgreen Gardens, and a low cost of living that runs near or below the national average. Many established 55+ communities cluster around the area.

It earns a spot for retirees who want an affordable Atlantic-beach base with golf and meaningful retirement-tax breaks.

7. Palm Springs, California

Palm Springs offers a dry desert climate with January highs near 70°F and a vibrant active-adult and resort culture. California taxes income, the main drawback, but does not tax Social Security.

The median home price near $560,000 is high, though the area has many 55+ communities at varied price points. Eisenhower Health is a well-regarded hospital system. Summers exceed 110°F.

It ranks here for retirees who want stylish desert living and don't mind California's tax structure or paying more for housing.

8. Honolulu, Hawaii

Honolulu offers the most stable warm climate in the country, with highs near 80°F year-round and ocean breezes. Hawaii does not tax Social Security or qualified pension income, a real benefit for retirees.

The catch is cost: the median home price exceeds $800,000, the highest on this list. Healthcare is solid, with The Queen's Medical Center as the flagship.

It earns a spot for retirees with substantial means who prioritize a perfect, stable climate and the island lifestyle above cost.

9. San Diego, California

San Diego has arguably the best year-round climate in the mainland U.S., with January highs near 65°F and low humidity. California taxes income, but Social Security is exempt, and the world-class healthcare (UC San Diego Health, Scripps) is a draw.

The median home price near $900,000 is the steepest on this list. Many retirees rent or buy condos to manage cost.

It ranks here for retirees who value a near-ideal climate and top healthcare and can absorb the high housing cost.

10. Gulfport, Mississippi

Gulfport closes the list with January highs near 61°F, Gulf Coast beaches, and Mississippi's full exemption of retirement income. The median home price near $220,000 keeps it very affordable.

Memorial Hospital at Gulfport serves the area, with casinos and waterfront recreation nearby. Hurricane exposure is the principal risk on this coast.

It earns tenth for retirees who want warm, affordable Gulf Coast living with no state tax on retirement income.

How to Choose

• Decide humid versus dry. Florida and the Gulf Coast are warm and humid; Arizona, New Mexico, and Palm Springs are warm and dry — a major comfort and health distinction for arthritis and breathing.
• Match winter temperature to your tolerance. If you want zero freezing days, target south Florida or south Texas (highs in the low-to-mid 70s) over the upper-50s coastal Carolinas.
• Price in insurance and disaster risk. Coastal Florida and the Gulf carry high homeowners insurance and hurricane exposure; desert inland cities avoid this.
• Weigh state taxes against climate cost. Hawaii and California give you climate but tax income (though both exempt Social Security); Florida, Texas, and Nevada give warmth with no income tax.
• Confirm summer survivability. Desert cities exceed 110°F in summer; decide whether you'll stay year-round or become a seasonal "reverse snowbird."

FAQ

Where are the warmest winters in the continental U.S. For retirees? South Florida (Fort Myers, with January highs near 75°F) and south Texas (Brownsville, near 71°F) have the warmest winters on the mainland. Honolulu is warmer and more stable still at around 80°F year-round, but it is an island market with the highest cost on this list.

For affordable warmth, south Texas is hard to beat.

Is dry heat or humid heat better for retirement health? Many retirees find dry desert climates (Tucson, Las Cruces, Palm Springs) easier on joints and breathing than the humidity of Florida and the Gulf Coast. However, dry-climate summers are extremely hot, often exceeding 110°F.

The right choice depends on your specific health conditions and whether you'll stay through summer.

Which warm place is most affordable? Brownsville, Texas, and Gulfport, Mississippi, are the most affordable warm-weather picks, with median home prices near $200,000–$220,000 and no income tax (Texas) or full retirement-income exemption (Mississippi). Las Cruces, New Mexico, offers the best affordable dry-climate option at a median near $290,000.

Do I need to worry about hurricanes in these places? Yes, in the coastal Florida, Gulf Coast, and Atlantic picks (Sarasota, Fort Myers, Myrtle Beach, Gulfport, Brownsville). These areas carry hurricane risk and higher homeowners insurance. The desert inland cities — Tucson, Las Cruces, Palm Springs — avoid hurricanes entirely, trading that risk for extreme summer heat.

Bottom Line

For most retirees fleeing cold winters, Sarasota, Florida is the Best Overall warm-weather place to retire in 2027, with near-72°F January highs, no income tax, top beaches, and strong healthcare. The Best Value pick is Las Cruces, New Mexico, offering 350+ sunny days, dry warmth, and median home prices near $290,000.

Sources

• NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information — U.S. Climate Normals (winter temperatures)
• U.S. Census Bureau — American Community Survey median home value data
• Tax Foundation — state income and property tax data (taxfoundation.org)
• Zillow Home Value Index — metro median home prices
• Insurance Information Institute — homeowners insurance by state (iii.org)
• U.S. News & World Report — Best Hospitals and Best Places to Retire
• AARP — state retirement tax guides (aarp.org)
• Dr. Beach (Stephen Leatherman) — annual U.S. Beach rankings