The 5 best states in America for retirement — and the 5 worst
WalletHub ranks the best and worst U.S. states for retirees, balancing affordability, healthcare, and lifestyle perks
After decades of hard work, most Americans want a retirement that's comfortable, financially secure, and maybe a little fun. But for a large share of the population, that future feels out of reach.
According to a recent WalletHub survey, 50% of people don’t think it’s realistic for the average American to retire comfortably. That’s partly because nearly two in five Americans say they feel anxious when thinking about retirement, more than one-quarter don’t have a retirement plan, and 43% expect they’ll need to keep working indefinitely. On top of that, 53% believe paying off debt is a bigger priority than saving for retirement, and many expect to rely on family members for support in their later years.
With so much uncertainty, choosing where to live in retirement becomes an even more important decision. To help identify the best options, WalletHub compared all 50 states across dozens of metrics, including affordability, healthcare infrastructure, quality of life, and recreational opportunities.
“Retirement is supposed to be relaxing, but it can also be incredibly stressful given that it typically puts people on a fixed income, which may not be enough for them to live comfortably,” said WalletHub analyst Chip Lupo.
He believes the best states for retirees have low taxes and a low cost of living. “Having access to excellent medical care and homemaking services is also crucial, especially for people who don’t plan to retire in close proximity to their families,” Lupo added.
Continue reading to see which states were ranked the best — and why.
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5th best: Minnesota
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Minnesota leads the nation in quality of public hospitals and has the lowest share of population aged 65 and older in poverty. It also ranks 1st in the elderly volunteer rate and 3rd for the number of nurses per capita, helping it secure the spot as the 5th best state for retirement.
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4th best: Colorado
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Colorado ranks first in access to public transportation and in the share of the population aged 65 and older who are physically active. It offers strong medical support, ranking third for family medicine physicians per capita and fourth for geriatrician shortfall (meaning it is closer to meeting estimated needs than most states).
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3rd best: South Dakota
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South Dakota is the top state for nurses per capita and for the share of the population aged 65 and older with good or better health. It also ranks second for access to adult volunteer activities and fourth for the elderly food insecurity rate.
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2nd best: Florida
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Florida ranks first for mildness of weather and for retired taxpayer-friendliness. It offers significant recreation with the second most shoreline mileage and second most theaters per capita, while also maintaining the third lowest death rate for the 65 and older population.
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Best: Wyoming
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Wyoming is the top-ranked state for retirement, placing first in both retired taxpayer-friendliness and tax-friendliness on estate or inheritance taxes. It ranks second in the nation for drinking-water quality and fifth for its low violent-crime rate, alongside having the 10th-best quality of elder-abuse protections.
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5th worst: Hawaii
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While Hawaii ranks first in life expectancy and has the lowest death rate for seniors, it is hindered by being the most expensive state for retirees. It also faces a critical healthcare gap, ranking last for its geriatrician shortfall.
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4th worst: West Virginia
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West Virginia offers the 3rd lowest annual cost of in-home services, but it ranks 50th for shoreline mileage and share of residents who do favors for neighbors. It also places 49th for its share of the population aged 65 and older with poor mental health.
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3rd worst: Mississippi
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Mississippi is highly affordable, ranking fourth for adjusted cost of living and second for the lowest annual cost of in-home services. However, it ranks last for the share of seniors who are physically active and has the worst elderly food insecurity rate in the nation.
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2nd worst: Oklahoma
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Oklahoma may have the best adjusted cost of living in the nation, but it ranks 50th for family medicine physicians per capita and last for top-rated geriatrics hospitals.
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Worst: Kentucky
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Kentucky is ranked the worst state for retirement in 2026. It ranks last in nurses per capita, quality of public hospitals, and has the highest death rate for the population aged 65 and older. One of its few highlights is ranking eighth for quality of elder-abuse protections.