Rest of the top 10

Delaware best state to retire — Rehoboth Beach, Del. Image credit: © Blackghost600 | Dreamstime.com

Here’s a quick look at what led other states to top 10 overall rankings.

2. Delaware: The Bankrate articles says the state combines high-quality healthcare (despite a 37 rank) and a light tax burden to rank No. 2 overall. Diversity, wellness and culture are other strong points. The state ranks near the top for racial and ethnic diversity, arts and entertainment establishments per capita and wellness. It also has one of the nation’s highest percentages of over-65 residents. Earthquakes, tornados and hurricanes are rare—and it places in the middle of the pack for both cost of healthcare and crime. The state’s only weak spot is in the affordability category, ranking 31st for cost of living.

3. West Virginia: This small state seems an odd choice for the top five, but West Virginia boasts the best affordability in the nation, based on a low cost of living and light tax burden. The state fell in the middle of the pack for wellness, placing 26th in that category.

4. Missouri: Fourth-place Missouri shines for affordability (5^th overall), but struggles with its quality of healthcare (28^th), crime (42^nd) and natural disasters.

5. Mississippi: Another Sun Belt surprise, Mississippi scored well on affordability, weather and crime but suffered in two other key categories, healthcare and overall well-being.

6. Wyoming: Top-10 ranks in affordability (9^th) and crime (7^th) put Wyoming into the top 10, with some help from a high ranking in well-being (16^th).

7. Pennsylvania: The state didn’t crack the top 10 in any single category, but placed in the top half in every one but weather (33^rd). Crime (12^th) and well-being (14^th) were its best categories.

8. Florida: Ranking third for both well-being and weather led to this traditional retirement haven making the top 10.

9. Hawaii: Hawaii ranked No. 1 for both well-being and weather and was 12^th in quality/cost of healthcare, but was dinged for its affordability (45^th) and crime (32^nd) rankings.

10: Nebraska: Despite ranking 37^th and 35^th for well-being and weather, Nebraska took the last spot in the top 10 thanks for high ranks for affordability (13^th) and quality/cost of healthcare 18^th.

Next page: Bottom 10 States for Retirement; 50 state ranking map