These Are the Best and Worst States for Retirees

Forty-hour workweeks, the hours spent in meetings, and never having quite enough vacation time are all supposed to be worth it once retirement arrives. But that may depend on where retirees spend their days. WalletHub conducted a study to compare states by affordability, quality of life, and health care — 47 metrics in all, graded on a 100-point scale — that Cheapism has excerpted to show the 10 best and 10 worst and a sense of why each falls where it does.

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Don’t overlook the granite state: It has the second-lowest property crime rates in the nation and the second-highest ranking for quality of life. To top things off, it ranks in the top 10 for health care.

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Retirees looking for somewhere that is consistently warm have their paradise. Arizona is also one of the most affordable — perhaps why it also has the second-lowest percentage of people 65 and older in the workplace.

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Utah has some of the most impressive natural environments to enjoy and ranks high for quality of life and affordability. So why does it have the fewest people 65 and older among its population? (Surely not because it has the fewest museums per capita?)

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Retirees who enjoy the outdoors, particularly mountains and national parks, will be fulfilled in Montana, which also ranks high for affordability, tax-friendliness, and quality of life. The state ties for fifth place (with Delaware) for highest percentage of people 65 and older.

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Ranking high for health care and quality of life, North Dakota has vast, idyllic landscapes that can set the perfect scene for relaxation. (It’s a tradeoff: North Dakota may have fewer indoor opportunities for recreation, landing, for example, in the bottom five for theaters per capita.)

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This is the top-ranked state for health care, though it has among the nation’s highest costs for in-home services, and comes in third for quality of life. It has some of the highest numbers of theaters per capita, though.

With one of the highest percentages of people ages 65 and older, and ranked highly for health care and affordable living, Delaware ties for fifth place with Montana for the highest percentage of people 65 and older.

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There is no shortage of beautiful scenery and landscapes in Colorado, making it a perfect place to retire and relax for some. It is also one of the best states for health care and affordability for retirees. But beware: WalletHub identifies it as having the third-highest property crime rate.

Retirees thrive in Virginia, which ranks high for health care and quality of life and is also one of the most affordable places to live, with a tax environment friendly to retirees.

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It’s no surprise Florida — which has the highest percentage of people 65 and older — is named the best state for retirees. While the general assumption is that people flock to the Sunshine State for the weather, Florida also is one of the most affordable states. It ranks high overall for quality of life.

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The state ranks near the bottom for quality of life and health care and has the highest property crime rate in the nation.

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With the lowest life expectancy in the nation and the lowest percentage of workers age 65 and up, West Virginia is one of the worst states for retirees. The state also ranks near the bottom for health care and quality of life.

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Retirees interested in arts and entertainment won’t find much in Arkansas, which has some of the lowest numbers of theaters and museums per capita. Arkansas also falls near the bottom for quality of life and health care.

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Rhode Island has some charming towns and quiet beaches, but retirees will find a general lack of affordability — including some of the highest annual costs for in-home services — and a low quality of life.

Related: America's Healthiest States for Seniors, Ranked

The Midwest isn’t always the best, especially when it comes to retirement. Illinois is one of the least affordable states and has the lowest WalletHub ranking for tax-friendliness.

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Oklahoma has low rankings for quality of life and health care, including low life expectancy. It does, however, have the fifth-lowest adjusted cost of living — so the dollar stretches here.

Related: This Is the Average Lifespan in Your State

Kentucky is another state low on quality of life and health care, including life expectancy, with heavy traffic and a high risk of natural disasters playing a part.

Related: Life Expectancy the Year You Were Born

Retirees on a fixed income should steer clear. New York is the least affordable state in the nation and has one of the highest adjusted costs of living. Having the most museums per capita probably doesn’t make up for that.

Mississippi has the lowest quality of life across all 50 states, including the second-worst health care, the second-lowest life expectancy, and the fewest number of theaters per capita — so if you picture enjoying plenty of shows during retirement, you might want to cross this one off the list.

While it’s moderately tax-friendly for retirees, the property tax rate here bears a wallop. And while there’s plenty of access to the arts, experts also identify a risk of social isolation. Overall, New Jersey got to “worst” by being the second-least affordable state and having a low overall quality of life.  Maybe it’s not too late to think about Florida.

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