Bakersfield, other California cities rank low on ‘best places to retire’ list

Despite good weather and amenities, California’s largest cities are becoming less attractive places to retire as rising costs and economic uncertainty weigh on seniors, according to a new report.

WalletHub’s 2025 ranking of 182 U.S. cities compared affordability, activities, quality of life, and health care across 45 metrics. Orlando, Florida, topped the list as the nation’s best city for retirees, followed by Scottsdale, Arizona; Minneapolis; Miami; and Tampa.

San Francisco (27) and San Diego (29) were the only California cities to break into the top 30. Los Angeles placed 51st, while many others ranked near the bottom: Santa Rosa (154), Chula Vista (156), Anaheim (158), Fresno (177), Bakersfield (179), Rancho Cucamonga (180), Stockton (181), and San Bernardino last at 182.

Bakersfield ranked very low on WalletHub’s activities and health care ranks.

The findings come as many Americans question their financial readiness for retirement.

The Employee Benefit Research Institute’s 2025 Retirement Confidence Survey found 67% of workers feel at least somewhat confident they can retire comfortably, but only 24% said they were “very confident.”

Gallup polling shows retirement expectations have shifted dramatically.

In 1995, Americans planned to stop working at age 60 on average. By 2022, that number had risen to 66.