WalletHub has released its 2026 rankings for retirement cities; California has six cities on the list of the worst places to retire—more than any other state. Key factors in the rankings included the cost of living in retirement, healthcare resources, and quality of life.
WalletHub released its “Best and Worst Places to Retire in 2026,” comparing 182 cities across 45 metrics to assess their retirement-friendliness. The metrics were grouped into four main categories: affordability, activities, quality of life, and healthcare. Specific criteria included cost of living, taxes, in-home care costs, healthcare resources, crime rates, public transportation, recreational facilities, and the percentage of the population aged 65 and older.
Data shows that Rancho Cucamonga ranked 178th out of the 182 cities. While the city scored relatively well in quality of life—significantly higher than in affordability and activities—its overall score was dragged down by other categories. Five other California cities appeared in the bottom ten: Fontana (173rd), Bakersfield (177th), Fresno (179th), San Bernardino (181st), and Stockton (182nd), which ranked last in the nation.
The WalletHub rankings also demonstrate that a low overall ranking does not mean a city lags behind in every retirement-related category. For instance, Bakersfield ranked third nationwide for “mild climate,” trailing only Glendale and Riverside in Southern California.
Other cities familiar to the Chinese-American community showed significant variation in the rankings: San Francisco placed 21st, San Diego 32nd, Los Angeles 39th, and Irvine 69th. Notably, Irvine ranked fifth in the nation for the “percentage of the population aged 65+ who are employed,” while Los Angeles’s greatest strength was “activities,” ranking 15th nationwide—illustrating that each city possesses unique advantages regarding different retirement factors.
Orlando, Florida, took the top spot with a total score of 63.38. WalletHub’s category rankings for the city were: 2nd in affordability, 17th in activities, 77th in quality of life, and 11th in healthcare. Reports indicate that Orlando ranks first due to its low tax burden; Florida imposes no state personal income tax, nor does it levy estate or inheritance taxes, offering a distinct advantage regarding the taxes and expenses that are of great importance to retirees. The top three cities for retirement are all located in Florida, with Miami and Tampa following close behind.