Best Warm-Weather Cities to Retire In (2026)

What climate is considered 'warm weather' for retirement?

For this list we use a year-round average temperature above 18°C (65°F) with no meaningfully cold winter. That captures Mediterranean (Lisbon, Málaga), subtropical (Miami, Tampa), tropical (Bangkok, Bali), and high-altitude-but-stable-temperate (Medellín, Cuenca) cities. Excludes highly seasonal places like Madrid, Denver, or Austin where winters still drop significantly.

Which warm-weather country is cheapest for retirees?

Southeast Asia (Thailand, Vietnam, Indonesia) typically has the lowest cost of living for a comfortable expat lifestyle — Chiang Mai and Da Nang at ~$1,200/mo, Bali at ~$2,500/mo. Mexico (Mexico City, Mérida), Colombia (Medellín), and Ecuador (Cuenca) are the best Latin American options. Among warmer parts of Europe, Portugal (Lisbon, Porto) and coastal Spain (Málaga, Valencia) are the most accessible.

What about humidity and hurricanes?

Tropical and subtropical cities tend to have meaningful humidity year-round. SE Asia has distinct dry and wet seasons. Florida and Caribbean destinations face hurricane season (June-November). Mediterranean Europe has very low humidity and no hurricanes — arguably the most comfortable climate if you also want warm winters. Mexico City and Cuenca sit at altitude (2,200-2,500m), so they're cool rather than hot despite low latitude.

Will US retirees face residency tax issues abroad?

Spending 183+ days in a foreign country usually makes you a tax resident there — but as a US citizen you'll still owe US tax on worldwide income. Many warm-weather countries have US tax treaties that reduce double taxation. Portugal's NHR, Thailand's LTR, and Mexico's temporary resident status are common paths; see the country-specific retire-in guides for details.