Methodology
Based on the survey scoring, U.S. News assigned the following weights to the indexes when compiling the overall retirement score for each metro area: Affordability Index (25%), Happiness Index (22%), Health Care Quality Index (16%), Retiree Taxes Index (16%), Desirability Index (13%) and Job Market Index (8%).
U.S. News said it expanded its data points in this edition to better encapsulate a place’s strengths and weaknesses, according to a press release. In addition to a survey to determine whether people want to retire in a given metro area, the Desirability Index now includes weather temperateness, which evaluates the number of days annually with moderate temperatures and minimal precipitation.
It also includes an establishment-to-population ratio, which assesses the number of restaurants, bars and activities per 1,000 residents. The Affordability Index—which previously focused solely on housing affordability—now factors in price parity, a Bureau of Economic Analysis data point on the general cost of goods within an area.
The six measures factored into this year’s rankings were weighted based on a public survey of individuals across the U.S. who are at or approaching retirement age (45 and older) to find out what matters most to people when they’re considering where to retire. Data sources include the U.S. Census Bureau, FEMA National Risk Index, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Bureau of Labor Statistics, Sharecare and U.S. News’ Best Hospitals rankings.
Best Places to Retire is part of U.S. News’ expanding Real Estate section, which provides rankings, tools and advice to help individuals navigate the housing market, from finding the right neighborhood and home value estimate to working with an agent and buying and selling a home.
SEE ALSO:
• Retire Here, Not There: WalletHub’s 2023 Best & Worst Places to Retire
• 2023 Rankings: There’s a New ‘Best Place to Retire’ – And It’s Not in Florida
• 2022 Rankings: ‘Best Places to Retire’ Rankings Dominated by Two States
Veteran financial services industry journalist Brian Anderson joined 401(k) Specialist as Managing Editor in January 2019. He has led editorial content for a variety of well-known properties including Insurance Forums, Life Insurance Selling, National Underwriter Life & Health, and Senior Market Advisor. He has always maintained a focus on providing readers with timely, useful information intended to help them build their business.
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!