The 10 Best States To Retire In The United States And Why

Delaware is known to be incredibly tax-friendly, which is a positive for retirees. The state doesn’t tax any social security benefits, and they have decreased property taxes in comparison to other states around the country. It can rank quite well in terms of its affordability metrics and is on the more fortunate side when it comes to natural disasters such as earthquakes and hurricanes. Delaware should be on your list of states to turn to when entering retirement, which is no surprise that the state has one of the largest populations of seniors in the country. 

West Virginia isn’t the biggest state, though it makes up for it with its affordability. They offer a surprisingly low cost of living, housing, property taxes, and insurance. Unfortunately, there is a concern with West Virginia. Despite all of the positives with their living costs, some have reported that they don’t do a great job with their health care. These reports have come in the form of poor scores from their residents when asking about the quality and cost of their health care overall. West Virginia is one of the best places in terms of cost, though there are some other variables worth considering.  

Georgia has reportedly improved dramatically when it comes to their affordability. This time last year, some sources had them ranked towards the middle of the pack, though they’ve improved inside the top five. Their cost of living has been cut down, and homeowners insurance premiums have dipped a little as well. Similar to West Virginia, there are downsides to Georgia as well. Crime scores in Georgia haven’t exactly been what residents would like. That would be what’s holding Georgia back from being even higher than it is currently. 

South Carolina was pretty similar to Georgia when it came to their improvement over last year. This state has seen significant improvement in affordability, jumping up over 10 spots in affordability rankings. The similarities run deeper than just that, with crime being a big downfall in the area. South Carolina also ranked quite low in crime scores, which is another reason to take your retirement there. Plus, the climate and outdoors are beautiful. It is usually spoken of as a gorgeous climate with natural scenery. So, if you love and appreciate the outdoors, South Carolina could be a wonderful place to settle down post-retirement. 

Also Read: See where South Carolina Ranks on the list of Top 10 States Americans Live Their Entire Lives

Missouri is an excellent option for retirement thanks to its incredible affordability. They are a wonderful option when it comes to the cost of living and property taxes, so it’s no wonder why they rank so highly compared to other state options. The downsides for Missouri are usually concerning the overall health care quality and natural disaster concerns. Every state is going to have its downsides, but Missouri thrives when it comes to the affordability aspect, something that many other states struggle with. 

Also Read: Missouri’s Must-See Landmark Its Remarkable History

Alaska is usually propped up when talking about a possible retirement state. They have one of the lowest tax burdens of any other state and rank inside the top 20 for resident’s average net wealth. Other rankings claim that Alaska is fifth among all other states for average retirement account balance. This state is talked about very fondly thanks to the natural beauty and landscapes that surround you. Similar to South Carolina, anybody who enjoys the outdoors and a lovely area would appreciate what Alaska has to offer. It’s a nice bonus for a state that already doesn’t burden you much with taxes and usually handles seniors quite well. 

New Hampshire lands on this list for a very similar reason as why Alaska falls right above them. We see this state get talked about nicely when it comes to their low tax burden. Aside from that, they rank just below Alaska for average retirement accounts balance and average net worth per resident. Possibly the biggest positive for some people though, is not financial. Instead, the state consistently ranks as one of the safest places to live in the country. There is a strong emphasis on public safety, and that’s resulted in low crime rates year after year. 

We can’t forget about Florida in terms of the best states to retire. This state is usually ranked towards the top of the list year after year, and that’s mostly due to the relatively low tax rate on their retired people. It’s also been reported that health care services and homemaker services are usually lower in cost in comparison to other states. The cost of living has increased in recent memory, which is why this state has dropped down the list a few spots in the past couple of years. However, it is still a great retirement option. 

Colorado is known for having some of the best hospitals in the country for retirees, which contributes to its high ranking in senior health and physical activity. Additionally, the state boasts a low rate of social isolation among seniors and relatively few residents over 65 living in poverty. While Colorado may not be the most affordable state for retirement, its costs are manageable and worth considering for the benefits it offers. Retirees can also enjoy financial peace of mind, as Colorado does not impose estate or inheritance taxes on their assets.

Lastly, Wyoming deserves recognition as one of the top-ranked states for retirees, and that’s no accident. The state offers excellent protections against elder abuse, contributing to one of the lowest violent crime rates in the country. Overall crime in Wyoming is notably low. Another benefit is Wyoming’s clean air, which can be a significant relief for seniors with respiratory concerns. Additionally, the state has a high rate of senior volunteerism, which helps combat social isolation. On top of that, Wyoming’s low tax burden, with no estate or inheritance taxes, makes it even more appealing for retirees.

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