10 Best and Worst States to Retire

Some surprises, some not. How does your state rank in retirement friendliness? Which should be considered if your clients are looking to relocate?

WalletHub is out with its list of the best and worst the country has to offer, which are ranked by three key dimensions: affordability, quality of life and health care.

“Retirement might be the end of your career, but it doesn’t have to be the end of financial security or life satisfaction,” the consumer finance website says. “Retirement generally coincides with the age at which we may receive Social Security or pension benefits. However, not everyone can retire when they want to. 25 percent of non-retired adults haven’t saved any money for retirement, though not necessarily through any fault of their own.”

But in addition to when to retire, a good question to ask is where.

Finding the best states to retire can be difficult without doing lots of research, it adds. Even in the most affordable areas of the U.S., most retirees cannot rely on Social Security or pension checks alone to cover all of their living expenses. Social Security benefits increase with local inflation, but they replace only about 39 percent of the average worker’s earnings.

“If retirement is still a big question mark for you because of finances, consider relocating to a state that lets you keep more money in your pocket without requiring a drastic lifestyle change. To determine the best states to retire, WalletHub compared the 50 states across 46 key indicators of retirement-friendliness.”

Here are the top 10 best:

1. BEST: Florida

There’s a lot to love about Florida! From the sunny beaches to “Florida Man” and of course the theme parks—it’s no surprise Florida is ranked so highly.

It’s warm year-round and the average temperatures range from 65 to 70 degrees in the north. Swimming is possible year-round in South Florida.

Who wouldn’t want those conditions for retirement? Oh yeah, there’s Disney World also.

BEST: South Dakota

While sparsely populated, there’s a lot to love from a historic standpoint in South Dakota. Take in the Mount Rushmore or Crazy Horse Memorial, a tribute to the storied Native American tribal leader.

Famous Locations:

• Mount Rushmore
• Badlands National Park
• Custer State Park
• Crazy Horse Memorial
• Wind Cave National Park

BEST: Colorado

With a diverse landscape that will meet any adventurers needs, Colorado speaks to those looking for more. The snow-covered Rocky Mountains are breathtaking, to the national parks and hiking trails.

Famous Locations:

• Rocky Mountain National Park
• Vail and Nerby Mountain Towns
• Mesa Verde National Park
• Garden of the Gods
• Pikes Peak in Pike National Forest
• Durango and the Silverton Narrow Gauge Railway

BEST: New Hampshire

With quaint towns and exciting wilderness, New Hampshire is a great landing spot for retirees. If you’re a winter sports fan, you’ll always be entertained. Just watch out for Black Bears.

Famous Locations:

• Mt. Washington Cog Railway
• Strawbery Banke
• Cannon Mountain Aerial Tramway and Franconia Notch
• Portsmouth Harbor Trail and Historic Houses
• Mt. Monadnock
• North Conway and Mt. Washington Valley Ski Resorts
• Hampton Beach

BEST: Virginia

Being one of the original 13 colonies, you’re sure to find history knocking at every step. With wonderful coastlines, historic landmarks, and living-history museums, history lovers will feel right at home.

Famous Locations:

• Colonial Williamsburg
• Virginia Beach
• Shenandoah National Park and Skyline Drive
• Arlington National Cemetery
• Mount Vernon
• Monticello and Charlottesville
• Jamestown and Yorktown
• Luray Caverns

BEST: Utah

Some of the best skiing in the country is found in Salt Lake City. With 500 inches of snow per year, be prepared to be cold but if safety is a big factor for you, note Utah is ranked 11th in safety.

Famous Locations:

• Zion National Park
• Arches National Park
• Monument Valley
• Canyonlands National Park
• Bryce Canyon National Park
• Salt Lake City and the Mormon Temple
• Park City and Ski Resorts

BEST: Iowa

Rolling plains and lots of cornfields sprinkle across Iowa. Exactly the kind of things you’d expect from the “Corn State.” The skyline of Des Moines is beautiful and the land is gorgeous.

Famous Locations:

• All Iowa Lawn Tennis Club
• Buddy Holly Crash Site
• Reed / Niland Corner
• Swinging Bridge
• Historic Squirrel Cage Jail
• Dunnings Springs

BEST: Wyoming

Wyoming channels the energy of a time of untamed spirits of the West. A time when families would cross the United States for a better future. Majestic natural beauty surrounds you as the second most sparsely populated state gives residents lots of room to explore.

Famous Locations:

• Grand Teton National Park
• Yellowstone National Park
• Buffalo
• Devils Tower National Monument
• Cody
• Dubois

BEST: Pennsylvania

Philadelphia is the big destination to enrich yourself with the history of our Country’s humble beginnings but a gorgeous city and booming nightlife keep you coming back. Hershey is the Chocolate Capital of the United States, which for chocolate lovers should be where your flag lands.

Famous Locations:

• Philadelphia
• Pittsburgh
• Gettysburg
• Harrisburg
• Lancaster

BEST: Minnesota

With more than 10,000 lakes, Minnesota may seem divided but make no mistake, the cultural landmarks bring inclusion to whichever point you end up in. The “Twin Cities” also has natural areas, a strong economy and a great quality of life.

Famous Locations:

• Mall of America
• Como Park Zoo and Conservatory
• Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness
• Cathedral of Saint Paul
• North Shore Scenic Drive
• Split Rock Lighthouse State Park

And the worst:

WORST: Maryland

WORST: Louisiana

WORST: Mississippi

WORST: Arkansas

WORST: New Mexico

WORST: New Jersey

WORST: Vermont

WORST: West Virginia

WORST: Rhode Island

WORST: Kentucky