Best states to retire — our rankings
Four honest lists. For a ranking built around your income and your weather, run the State Finder — it takes a minute.
Lowest taxes for a typical retiree couple
Model: $50,000 a year from Social Security, a pension, and savings; a $300,000 home. Includes state income, property, and sales tax estimates.
| 1 | Delaware | ≈ $1,820 / yr |
| 2 | Wyoming | ≈ $2,398 / yr |
| 3 | Hawaii | ≈ $2,545 / yr |
| 4 | Nevada | ≈ $2,736 / yr |
| 5 | South Carolina | ≈ $2,818 / yr |
| 6 | West Virginia | ≈ $2,922 / yr |
| 7 | Mississippi | ≈ $2,999 / yr |
| 8 | Tennessee | ≈ $3,002 / yr |
| 9 | Alaska | ≈ $3,093 / yr |
| 10 | Alabama | ≈ $3,129 / yr |
| 11 | Montana | ≈ $3,218 / yr |
| 12 | Kentucky | ≈ $3,295 / yr |
| 13 | Florida | ≈ $3,387 / yr |
| 14 | Colorado | ≈ $3,398 / yr |
| 15 | Arizona | ≈ $3,408 / yr |
Lowest everyday costs
| 1 | Oklahoma | Index 86 (U.S. = 100) |
| 2 | Mississippi | Index 87 (U.S. = 100) |
| 3 | West Virginia | Index 88 (U.S. = 100) |
| 4 | Alabama | Index 89 (U.S. = 100) |
| 5 | Kansas | Index 89 (U.S. = 100) |
| 6 | Missouri | Index 89 (U.S. = 100) |
| 7 | Arkansas | Index 90 (U.S. = 100) |
| 8 | Iowa | Index 90 (U.S. = 100) |
| 9 | Michigan | Index 90 (U.S. = 100) |
| 10 | Tennessee | Index 90 (U.S. = 100) |
| 11 | Indiana | Index 91 (U.S. = 100) |
| 12 | North Dakota | Index 91 (U.S. = 100) |
| 13 | South Dakota | Index 92 (U.S. = 100) |
| 14 | Texas | Index 92 (U.S. = 100) |
| 15 | Louisiana | Index 92 (U.S. = 100) |
Warmest winters
| 1 | Hawaii | January high ≈ 80°F |
| 2 | Florida | January high ≈ 76°F |
| 3 | California | January high ≈ 68°F |
| 4 | Arizona | January high ≈ 67°F |
| 5 | Louisiana | January high ≈ 62°F |
| 6 | South Carolina | January high ≈ 59°F |
| 7 | Nevada | January high ≈ 58°F |
| 8 | Mississippi | January high ≈ 57°F |
| 9 | Texas | January high ≈ 57°F |
| 10 | Alabama | January high ≈ 56°F |
| 11 | Georgia | January high ≈ 52°F |
| 12 | Arkansas | January high ≈ 51°F |
| 13 | North Carolina | January high ≈ 51°F |
| 14 | Oklahoma | January high ≈ 50°F |
| 15 | Tennessee | January high ≈ 48°F |
Best healthcare access for seniors
Our editorial ranking based on hospital access and senior care depth.
| 1 | Minnesota | Mayo Clinic in Rochester and excellent care statewide |
| 2 | Maryland | Johns Hopkins and top hospitals — among the best healthcare in the nation |
| 3 | Massachusetts | Arguably the best hospitals in the country, centered in Boston |
| 4 | Texas | Houston's Texas Medical Center is world-class; rural access has gaps |
| 5 | Illinois | World-class Chicago medicine; downstate access varies |
| 6 | Pennsylvania | Top systems in Philadelphia (Penn) and Pittsburgh (UPMC) |
| 7 | North Carolina | Duke, UNC, and Wake Forest anchor excellent care in the Research Triangle and Charlotte |
| 8 | Florida | Deep senior-focused care statewide, including Mayo Clinic in Jacksonville |
| 9 | Colorado | Strong Denver-metro hospital systems; mountain and rural access is thinner |
| 10 | Arizona | Excellent care in Phoenix and Tucson, including Mayo Clinic in Scottsdale; rural gaps |
| 11 | Connecticut | Excellent hospitals including Yale New Haven; care is costly |
| 12 | Washington | Excellent Seattle care (UW Medicine); rural eastern access has gaps |
| 13 | New Jersey | Strong hospitals statewide plus easy access to New York and Philadelphia care |
| 14 | New York | World-class care in New York City; upstate access varies |
| 15 | District of Columbia | Top-tier hospitals and specialists throughout the city |