POLK COUNTY, Fla. — Snowbirds looking to escape the cold may want to skip Florida’s beaches and head to Polk County, according to a new national ranking.
StorageCafe ranked Winter Haven as the country’s best snowbird destination for the 2026-2027 winter season. Nearby Lakeland ranked second, while Lake Wales rounded out the top 10.
The self-storage search company analyzed 472 warm-weather cities using factors including climate, housing and grocery costs, seasonal housing availability, healthcare, safety, recreation, internet speeds and walkability.
Florida dominated the rankings, placing 63 cities among the top 100.
Winter Haven received high marks for its Chain of Lakes, golf courses and relatively affordable housing. Nearly half of the city’s vacant homes are designated for seasonal use, according to the study.
Lakeland’s location between Orlando and Tampa helped it secure the No. 2 position. The study also highlighted the city’s 38 lakes, golf courses and seasonal housing options.
Lake Wales ranked 10th, with an average monthly rent of about $1,100. Approximately 43% of its vacant housing is held for seasonal use. The city also offers access to lakes, golf courses and Bok Tower Gardens.
Florida placed six cities in the national top 10:
- Winter Haven, Florida
- Lakeland, Florida
- McAllen, Texas
- Mission, Texas
- Vero Beach, Florida
- Hollywood, Florida
- Brownsville, Texas
- Harlingen, Texas
- Clearwater, Florida
- Lake Wales, Florida
The study found that inland communities can offer lower housing costs and less exposure to coastal hazards while remaining within driving distance of Florida’s beaches and major attractions.
Vero Beach was the country’s highest-ranked beach community. Other Central Florida cities making the top 100 included Haines City at No. 14, Kissimmee at No. 18, Auburndale at No. 21 and Orlando at No. 52.
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