Wondering where to find the best places to retire? A recent study from WalletHub compared the 50 states across 46 key indicators, from tax rates and the cost of living to access to quality medical care and fun activities, to narrow down the best states to retire in.
Whatever your reasons for moving in retirement — living closer to family, cheaper cost of living, downsizing, better healthcare or just wanting a different view out of the kitchen window — it just makes good sense to research the best places to retire in the US before you change your address.
By 2030, the US will have more adults aged 65 years or older — retirement age — than children under 18, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. By 2060, around 94.7 million Americans will be 65 or older. Suddenly, finding the best place to retire becomes much more challenging as competition for housing ramps up.
Although what makes the best places to retire comes down to personal preferences, these factors can make (or break) the effort of packing up and moving worthwhile.
- High-quality public healthcare
- Affordable housing
- Good public transportation
- Lots of green space
- A welcome sense of community
- The ease of making new friends
- Lower taxes
- Weather - cold vs. hot or humid over dry
Before you permanently uproot your life, take a look at the best states to retire in. We’ve highlighted the top 10.
Top 10 places to retire in 2024
*Rounded up or down. A rank of 1 represents the best conditions for that metric category.
The best places to retire are indicated from dark blue - the best, to lighter blue - the worst.
The best of the best: the top 5 states to retire
1. Florida
Florida ranks as the best state to retire due to its relatively low taxes, including no estate, inheritance or income taxes. (Check out our Florida State Tax Guide.) The cost of adult day health care and homemaker services are also lower than in most other states. It's no secret that Florida is popular with retirees, so dig into the nine reasons people retire in Florida.
Florida is a big state, and not all parts of it are attractive. Research the best places to retire in Florida, such as Sarasota.
Florida is the land of eternal sunshine, with the second-most shoreline miles of any state, giving retirees a chance to enjoy beach life. But, Florida transplants don't often realize just how severe the property damage can be from hurricanes or how to tell if a house will flood. Be especially careful if buying a condo. Prices have been falling rapidly, so you may get a good deal, but remember that one day, you might want to sell that Florida condo yourself.
Even so, Florida offers adult volunteer activities, dozens of golf courses, and plenty of ways for retirees to remain healthy. Unfortunately, the overall cost of living is pretty high in Florida compared to other states.
2. Colorado
Colorado is a great state for retirees’ physical and mental health with one of the lowest rates of social isolation for seniors. There are very few residents above age 65 that live in poverty and, like number one ranked Florida, it offers similar taxpayer-friendly conditions, with no estate or inheritance taxes. (Check out our Colorado State Tax Guide). Colorado also boasts some of the best geriatrics hospitals in the country.
3. Virginia
Virginia has high-quality geriatrics hospitals and a lot of doctors and dentists to choose from. It also boasts some of the best elder-abuse protections in the country, making it a safer place to live for retirees. It is the tenth most taxpayer-friendly state, but not a particularly cheap place to live, with an overall higher cost of living. (Check out our Virginia Tax Guide). On the positive side, Virginia has miles and miles of shoreline, a low violent crime rate and good air quality.
4. Delaware
Delaware ranks as the fourth-best state for retirement because it has one of the lowest overall tax burdens in the country, including no estate or inheritance taxes. (Check out our Delaware State Tax Guide). It also has a large population of seniors so you never feel alone or isolated. Delaware also has the lowest rate of poverty among people age 65 and older. The state also offers seniors a variety of things to do and places to wander, from the beaches of Rehoboth to the historic streets of Wilmington, the First State offers a unique blend of experiences for retirees.
5. Wyoming
Wyoming has one of the highest senior volunteering rates in the nation, which might help explain why there’s a low risk of social isolation for seniors. It also stands out by keeping seniors safe against elder abuse compared to most states. It has low violent crime rates, and some of the cleanest air in the country. When it comes to finances, Wyoming also ranks among the states with the lowest tax burdens and doesn’t have an estate or inheritance tax. (Check out our Wyoming State Tax Guide).
15 other states worthy of merit
The next 15 states also earn the distinction of being good states to retire in 2024.
- South Carolina
- Utah
- South Dakota
- Arizona
- North Carolina
- Massachusetts
- California
- Wisconsin
- North Dakota
- Missouri
- Michigan
- Nebraska
- Maine
- Alabama
- Ohio
“Being retired brings freedom, but it also naturally comes with financial constraints, with many seniors living on a fixed income. To make the most of your retirement savings, you should retire in a state where the cost of living and tax rates are friendly to retirees if you have the resources,” says Cassandra Happe, WalletHub Analyst. “You should also consider factors like the quality of the state’s healthcare system and the abundance of activities that you enjoy.”
Still not certain if making a move is best for you? Check out the Worst Places to Retire in the U.S., based on 46 key indicators like not-so-easy access to quality healthcare, higher housing costs and taxes.
