The Top States to Retire, Ranked from Best to Worst

Are you preparing for retirement? Or perhaps you’ve already entered your golden years and are looking to make the absolute most of them. Either way, we’ve got your back. Whether you’re looking for a quaint New England garden home or a sunny, ocean-side oasis, Travlerz recently ranked every state from worst to best. They determined how desirable the states are for retirees based on a number of factors, including state taxes, cost of living and more.

So, where will you retire?

• Cost of Living: 24% higher than US average
• Sales Tax: 6.35%
• Enticing Features: Gorgeous small towns and foliage, prime New England location
• Drawbacks: Few  jobs for seniors

• Cost of Living: 77% higher than the national average
• Sales Tax: 4%
• Enticing Features: 3.5 million people there are 65 or older, easily accessible amenities
• Drawbacks: High taxes, cost of living

• Cost of Living: 22% above the national average
• Sales Tax: 7%
• Enticing Features: Lots of coastal towns, good seafood
• Drawbacks: Small over 65 population

• Cost of Living: 17% higher than the national average
• Sales Tax: 6.5%, but can vary considerably depending on where you live
• Enticing Features: Friendly towns, scenic mountains, good for nature lovers
• Drawbacks: High taxes, only 1.35 million out of 7.8 million residents are 65. or older

• Cost of Living: 32% above the national average
• Sales Tax: No sales tax
• Enticing Features: Wilderness, national parks, seaside towns
• Drawbacks: High cost of living (especially for groceries), Harsh winters, Remote and isolated

• Cost of Living:  87% more than the national average
• Sales Tax: 4%
• Enticing Features: Oceanfront towns, warm climate
• Drawbacks: Expensive, few seniors live on the mainland

• Cost of Living: 18% higher than the national average
• Sales Tax: 0%
• Enticing Features: Good healthcare options, no taxes on retirement income
• Drawbacks: Relatively high costs of living

• Sales Tax: 6.25%
• Enticing Features: Historic cities, idyllic East Coast location
• Drawbacks: High healthcare costs, cold climate

• Cost of Living:  10% higher than the national average
• Sales Tax: None
• Enticing Features: Plenty of beaches and hiking trails, low healthcare costs
• Drawbacks: Lots of rain, high cost of living

• Cost of Living: 16% higher than the national average
• Sales Tax: 6%
• Enticing Features: Many jobs for retirees, second-highest household income in the US
• Drawbacks: Estate & inheritance taxes, high cost of living

• Cost of Living: 6% higher than the national average
• Sales Tax: 2.9%
• Enticing Features: Mountain towns, one of the healthiest states in the US
• Drawbacks: Sparse population, prices on the rise, expensive housing

• Cost of Living: 38% higher than the national average
• Sales Tax: 7.25%
• Enticing Features: Scenic beaches, both off-the-grid and city living
• Drawbacks: Crowded population, natural disasters, expensive

• Cost of Living: 16% higher than the national average
• Sales Tax: 6%
• Enticing Features: Low healthcare costs, beautiful countryside
• Drawbacks: Relatively high costs of living compared to rest of US

• Cost of Living: 11% more than the national average
• Sales Tax: 0%
• Enticing Features: Historic sites, scenic nature, no Social Security benefits taxes
• Drawbacks: High cost of living, relatively low population over the age of 65

• Cost of Living: Same as the national average
• Sales Tax: 5.3%
• Enticing Features: Several small towns, affordable healthcare, big concert scene
• Drawbacks: Few larger cities, traffic congestion, humid climate

• Cost of Living: same as the national average
• Sales Tax: 4.7%
• Enticing Features: National parks, good healthcare access for seniors
• Drawbacks: High taxes, desert areas may not be suitable for all

• Cost of Living: 1% lower than the national average
• Sales Tax: 6.85%
• Enticing Features: No income tax, large over 65 population
• Drawbacks: Very warm summers and pretty cold winters

• Cost of Living: 8.8% higher than the national average
• Sales Tax: 6.875%
• Enticing Features: Relatively low healthcare costs, many outdoor activities
• Drawbacks: Both income & Social Security taxes, harsh winters

• Cost of Living: 1% higher than the national average
• Sales Tax: 6.625%
• Enticing Features: Proximity to major cities, Excellent schools, Cultural attractions
• Drawbacks: High property taxes, High cost of living, Traffic congestion

• Cost of Living: 6% lower than the national average
• Sales Tax: 4.5%
• Enticing Features: No state income tax, Low cost of living, Abundant outdoor recreation (Black Hills, Badlands)
• Drawbacks: Limited job market in some areas, Can be isolated in rural areas, Harsh winters in some parts

• Cost of Living: 2.2% higher than the national average
• Sales Tax: 0% (no statewide sales tax, some local taxes may apply)
• Enticing Features: Stunning natural beauty, Abundant outdoor recreation, No state income tax
• Drawbacks: Harsh winters, Remote and rural in many areas, Limited job market in some areas

• Cost of Living: 6% higher than the national average
• Sales Tax: 5.6% (may vary locally)
• Enticing Features: Warm climate, Outdoor recreation (hiking, biking, etc.), No state income tax
• Drawbacks: High housing costs, Extreme heat in summer, Water scarcity

• Cost of Living: 6% lower than the national average
• Sales Tax: 5%
• Enticing Features: No state income tax, Low cost of living, Abundant outdoor recreation (hunting, fishing)
• Drawbacks: Harsh winters, Remote and rural in many areas, Limited job market in some areas

• Cost of Living: 2% lower than the national average
• Sales Tax: 6% (may vary locally)
• Enticing Features: Warm climate, Beautiful beaches, No state income tax
• Drawbacks: Hurricanes, High property insurance costs, Aging population

• Cost of Living: 3% above the national average
• Sales Tax: 5.5%
• Enticing Features: Beautiful scenery, Outdoor recreation, Strong sense of community
• Drawbacks: Cold winters, High property taxes, Limited job market in some areas

• Cost of Living: 3.15% below the national average
• Sales Tax: 5.5%
• Enticing Features: Beautiful scenery (lakes, forests), Strong sense of community, Affordable housing in some areas
• Drawbacks: Harsh winters, High property taxes, Limited job opportunities in some areas

• Cost of Living: 6.94% below the national average
• Sales Tax: 6.25% (may vary locally)
• Enticing Features: Diverse culture, World-class museums and attractions, Strong economy
• Drawbacks: High property taxes, High crime rates in some areas, Harsh winters

• Cost of Living: 2.62% below the national average
• Sales Tax: 6%
• Enticing Features: Stunning mountain scenery, Outdoor recreation, No state income tax
• Drawbacks: Harsh winters, Limited job opportunities in some areas, Wildfires

• Cost of Living: 6.8% below the national average
• Sales Tax: 5.125%
• Enticing Features: No state income tax, Beautiful scenery (mountains, deserts), Unique culture
• Drawbacks: High poverty rates, Limited job opportunities in some areas, Extreme heat in summer

• Cost of Living: 3.38% lower than the national average
• Sales Tax: 4.75%
• Enticing Features: Beautiful beaches, Mountains, Growing economy
• Drawbacks: Hurricanes, High humidity, Limited job opportunities in some areas

• Cost of Living: 5.56% lower than the national average
• Sales Tax: 6%
• Enticing Features: Beautiful beaches, Mild climate, Low cost of living
• Drawbacks: Hurricanes, High humidity, Limited job opportunities in some areas

• Cost of Living: 7.07% lower than the national average
• Sales Tax: 4%
• Enticing Features: Mild climate, Growing economy, Diverse culture
• Drawbacks: High humidity, Traffic congestion in major cities, Risk of natural disasters (hurricanes)

• Cost of Living: 9.33% lower than the national average
• Sales Tax: 4.225%
• Enticing Features: Low cost of living, Friendly people, Diverse landscape
• Drawbacks: High crime rates in some areas, Limited job opportunities in some areas, Harsh winters in some parts

• Cost of Living: 6.2% lower than the national average
• Sales Tax: 6.25% (may vary locally)
• Enticing Features: No state income tax, Strong economy, Diverse culture
• Drawbacks: Extreme heat in summer, High property taxes in some areas, Traffic congestion

• Cost of Living: 2.47% lower than the national average
• Sales Tax: 4.45%
• Enticing Features: Unique culture, Delicious food, No state income tax
• Drawbacks: Frequent hurricanes and flooding, High crime rates in some areas, Hot and humid summers

• Cost of Living: 4.79% lower than the national average
• Sales Tax: 5.5%
• Enticing Features: Low cost of living, No state income tax, Friendly people
• Drawbacks: Harsh winters, Limited job opportunities in some areas, Rural and isolated in many parts

• Cost of Living: 7.38% lower than the national average
• Sales Tax: 7%
• Enticing Features: No state income tax, Live music scene, Beautiful scenery (mountains, lakes)
• Drawbacks: High crime rates in some areas, Limited job opportunities in some areas, Hot and humid summers

• Cost of Living: 6.98% lower than the national average
• Sales Tax: 5.75%
• Enticing Features: Affordable housing, Strong manufacturing base, Diverse economy
• Drawbacks: High unemployment rates in some areas, Opioid epidemic, High crime rates in some areas

• Cost of Living: 1.95% lower than the national average
• Sales Tax: 6%
• Enticing Features: Great Lakes, Abundant outdoor recreation, Strong automotive industry
• Drawbacks: Harsh winters, High unemployment rates in some areas, Economic decline in some industries

• Cost of Living: 10.94% lower than the national average
• Sales Tax: 6%
• Enticing Features: Low cost of living, Friendly people, Strong agricultural industry
• Drawbacks: Harsh winters, Limited job opportunities in some areas, Rural and isolated in many parts

• Cost of Living: -10.15% lower than the national average
• Sales Tax: 4%
• Enticing Features: Low cost of living, Mild climate, Southern hospitality
• Drawbacks: Limited job opportunities in some areas, High poverty rates, Hot and humid summers

• Cost of Living: 9.21% lower than the national average
• Sales Tax: 6.5%
• Enticing Features: Low cost of living, No state income tax, Friendly people
• Drawbacks: Harsh winters, Limited job opportunities in some areas, High crime rates in some areas

• Cost of Living: 5.75% lower than the national average
• Sales Tax: 6%
• Enticing Features: Low cost of living, Beautiful scenery, Bourbon distilleries
• Drawbacks: High poverty rates, Limited job opportunities in some areas, High crime rates in some areas

• Cost of Living: 10.37% lower than the national average
• Sales Tax: 7%
• Enticing Features: Low cost of living, No state income tax, Beautiful beaches on the Gulf Coast
• Drawbacks: High poverty rates, Limited job opportunities in some areas, High crime rates in some areas

• Cost of Living: 9.08% lower than the national average
• Sales Tax: 7%
• Enticing Features: Low cost of living, Affordable housing, Strong manufacturing base
• Drawbacks: High crime rates in some areas, Limited job opportunities in some areas, Hot and humid summers

• Cost of Living: 11.24% lower than the national average
• Sales Tax: 4.5%
• Enticing Features: Low cost of living, No state income tax, Outdoor recreation (fishing, hunting)
• Drawbacks: High crime rates in some areas, Limited job opportunities in some areas, Extreme heat in summer

• Cost of Living: 11.11% lower than the national average
• Sales Tax: 6%
• Enticing Features: Low cost of living, Beautiful scenery, Outdoor recreation (hiking, fishing)
• Drawbacks: High poverty rates, Limited job opportunities in some areas, Opioid epidemic

• Cost of Living: 9.82% lower than the national average
• Sales Tax: 6.5%
• Enticing Features: Low cost of living, Beautiful natural scenery, Outdoor recreation (hiking, fishing)
• Drawbacks: Hot and humid summers, Limited job opportunities in some areas, High poverty rates

• Cost of Living: 1.94% lower than the national average
• Sales Tax: 6%
• Enticing Features: Rich history and culture, Diverse landscape, Affordable housing in some areas
• Drawbacks: High property taxes, High crime rates in some areas, Limited job opportunities in some areas

• Cost of Living: 7.56% lower than the national average
• Sales Tax: 4%
• Enticing Features: No state income tax, Stunning natural beauty (mountains, national parks), Abundant outdoor recreation
• Drawbacks: Harsh winters, Limited job opportunities in some areas, Remote and isolated

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