T
he ideal retirement spot is highly personal, but data from GOBankingRates suggests a clear winner for middle-class Americans. The top five places to retire are Florida's The Villages, Arizona's Green Valley City and Sun City West, Arkansas' Hot Springs Village, and Venice, Florida.

    These communities were chosen based on factors such as average Social Security benefits, cost of living, home values, and household income. GOBankingRates analyzed 30 metropolitan areas with at least 10,000 residents, a quarter of whom are over 65.

    Florida stands out as the top destination for retirees, with 11 ranked towns, followed by Arizona (5) and Ohio (4). According to Ray Marek, media outreach manager at GOBankingRates, Florida's affordability has long made it a popular choice for middle-class Americans. While living costs have increased in recent years, the state remains attractive due to its high quality of life.

    The cheapest retirement destination on the list is Greenville, Ohio, with an annual cost of living of $30,173 and a median household income of $45,746. However, Sun City West offers the highest percentage of residents age 65 and older, with 86.5% of the town in their golden years.