None of the top 10 U.S. cities for retirees' quality of life are located in Florida.

None of the top 10 U.S. cities for retirees' quality of life are located in Florida.
None of the top 10 U.S. cities for retirees' quality of life are located in Florida.

If you're looking for a retirement destination in the U.S. with a high quality of life, you may need to explore options outside of the mainland, according to WalletHub's ranking of the best and worst places to retire.

According to WalletHub's analysis, Hawaii has the top two retirement destinations with the highest quality of life, and Pearl City is ranked No. 1 while Honolulu is at No. 2.

Although Florida has the top two U.S. cities for retirees overall, its first Florida town ranks 17th in terms of quality of life.

According to WalletHub, the quality of life in 182 highly populated cities was ranked based on several factors, including the percentage of the population aged 65 and above, weather conditions, crime rate, availability of senior activities, and walkability.

The personal finance site analyzed data from multiple sources, including the Tax Foundation, the Council for Community and Economic Research, and the U.S. Census Bureau, to compile the ranking.

"WalletHub analyst Chip Lupo explains to CNBC Make It that quality of life metrics for retirees include factors such as the percentage of elderly residents, poverty rates among seniors, community support, and environmental conditions. These metrics help identify cities that provide a supportive and enriching environment for retirees."

According to WalletHub, the top 10 cities in the U.S. for the highest quality of life in retirement are:

  1. Pearl City, Hawaii
  2. Honolulu
  3. Scottsdale, Arizona
  4. Columbia, Maryland
  5. Fremont, California
  6. Glendale, California
  7. Madison, Wisconsin
  8. San Jose, California
  9. Lexington-Fayette, Kentucky
  10. San Diego

Pros and Cons of Pearl City, Hawaii, for retirees

The Hawaiian island of Oahu is home to Pearl City, a city situated approximately 11 miles from downtown Honolulu. With a population of approximately 45,000, about a quarter of Pearl City's residents are over the age of 65, according to the latest Census data.

Retirees in Pearl City and Hawaii can enjoy year-round warm weather, with temperatures typically ranging from the low 70s to low 80s, and take advantage of the state's natural beauty, including white sand beaches and crystal-clear water.

While the warm climate and beautiful beaches are advantages of living in Hawaii, the islands are also vulnerable to natural disasters such as tsunamis and hurricanes.

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In Pearl City, Hawaii, the median price of homes for sale is $795,000, while the median selling price is $1.1 million, according to Realtor.com.

The national median rent for a one-bedroom dwelling is $1,596 per month, which is 16% lower than the median rent in Pearl City, which is $1,856 per month as of Sept. 10, according to Zillow.

For retirees who can afford it, they may discover a significant group of peers their own age in Pearl City, which has the highest percentage of residents aged 65 and above, according to WalletHub's analysis.

Explore potential retirement destinations beforehand

It's ultimately up to you to determine which features are most important when deciding where to retire, although lists can be useful as a starting point.

Someone may prioritize being close to their family and easy access to medical facilities, while another person may prefer to move somewhere with a lower cost of living.

It can be challenging to envision retiring in a place you haven't yet visited.

To get a comprehensive understanding of a potential retirement destination, many experts suggest visiting during different seasons to experience the town's atmosphere, interact with the community, and envision long-term living there.

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