Why Pennsylvania?
Pennsylvania’s domination at the top of the rankings was attributed mainly to affordability—the most heavily weighted of the six factors in the 2024 Best Places to Retire methodology—with favorable health care, retiree taxes and happiness scores also chipping in.
“Over the last year, Americans have observed record-high interest rates in the housing market, steadily increasing cost of goods and extreme weather patterns impacting the living conditions of our nation,” said Beverly Harzog, personal finance expert at U.S. News. “As retirees consider where to spend their golden years, they want areas that not only give them the best bang for their buck, but places where they can live a happy, healthy life. This is why Pennsylvania dominated the Best Places to Retire ranking’s top positions, taking seven of the top 10 spots on the list.”
New York City managed to interrupt Pennsylvania’s stranglehold at the top of the list, claiming the sixth spot (up from 14 last year). Despite its low Affordability score that usually keeps it near the bottom of other “best places to retire” lists, New York City scored extremely well on Health Care Quality and Happiness. The metro area also scored well on Retiree Taxes.
For spot No. 7, we’re back in the Keystone State with York. Daytona Beach, Fla., came in at No. 8 and Youngstown, Ohio No. 9. Pittsburgh rounded out the top 10. As for Youngstown, it saw another year-over-year, double-digit jump in its rank. The city’s strong Happiness, Affordability and Retiree Taxes scores resulted in a 12-spot climb.
While apparently not as desirable a retirement location as Pennsylvania, Florida still scored highly in the new rankings, with six places appearing in the top 25. The 2024 ranking’s adjustments made for affordability and retiree taxes allowed Winston-Salem, North Carolina, to soar 19 spots to No. 17. Other notable top 25 increases include Trenton, New Jersey, which moved up 25 positions to No. 20, and Rochester, New York, which rose 29 positions to No. 21.
As for anything west of the Mississippi River, you have to drop all the way to No. 77 in the U.S. News rankings before Portland, Ore., shows up. Boise, Idaho comes in at 80. As for Eugene, Ore., which was the top-ranked western “best place to retire” at No. 25 in last year’s rankings? It took a freefall all the way to No. 93 this year.
The western U.S.—and more specifically California—did dominate the bottom of the rankings, with the Golden State claiming 10 of the final 15 spots on the list of the 150 largest metro areas in the country. San Jose gets the dubious distinction of being 150 and last on the list.
Worst list ever. New York City? And affordability and retiree taxes were factors? Talk about an East coast bias.
Folks, I grew up in Allentown and go back frequently. I have family and wonderful friends who still live there. Trust me, it is not what it used to be. Public education is terrible and I mean terrible. Downtown used to be a great place to shop and dine………Now you might be shot! I am not sure who did this survey but it looks like they didn’t get out of eastern PA very much!
I suspect large dollar amounts traded hands for this list. My gosh, these are some of the worst places in America. Yes, I used to live in PA, so I know of what I speak. Hello, climate? Unless you’re sitting on your butt in retirement watching TV all day, this state is not for you. Unless you head to FL in the winter. Taxes, toll roads, horrible government….it’s not where to start, it’s where to end. Lordy!