If you’ve always dreamed of retiring along the coast, enjoying warm air, the sea, and beautiful weather year-round, you might be surprised to learn that you don’t necessarily need to be an upper-class retiree to do so. As long as you have about $2,000 a month after Social Security, Fort Myers, Florida, could be a realistic coastal location to make a dreamy retirement possible.
According to AreaVibes, Fort Myers has a livability score of 86, based on factors such as amenities, commute, cost of living, crime, employment, health and safety, housing, schools, and user reports. GOBankingRates also estimated that the city’s monthly cost of living, after the average Social Security check was deducted, was $1,746 for homeowners and $1,468 for renters in 2025. That makes a comfortable life in Fort Myers surprisingly attainable compared to many beachy retirement spots, especially since Florida does not tax Social Security benefits and has no state income tax. Meanwhile, the U.S. Census Bureau reported that 23.2% of Fort Myers’ population was aged 65 or older in July 2025, meaning you’re more likely to find a sense of community.
Fort Myers is also quite charming thanks to its historic River District, brick-paved streets, walkable downtown, waterfront setting, galleries, restaurants, breweries, and regular public events. The Edison and Ford Winter Estates also give the city a deeper cultural identity, with a 15,000-square-foot museum, over 20 acres of botanical gardens, a botanic research laboratory, and exhibits tied to Thomas Edison and Henry Ford.
How much it really costs to retire in Fort Myers, Florida
Fort Myers isn’t necessarily one of the most affordable seaside towns for retirees. In fact, Florida isn’t even among the cheapest states to retire in the U.S. That said, for those expecting to draw from retirement accounts or continue to earn passive income beyond their Social Security benefits, living in Fort Myers can be quite doable…