Best states to live as a retiree in the U.S.

Photo by Morgan Lane on Unsplash

By Kathryn Pomroy
Posted on October 29, 2024

Florida, Colorado and Virginia top the list of the best places to retire in the U.S. in 2024, according to a new survey from WalletHub.

The survey compared the 50 states across 46 key indicators — from tax rates and the cost of living, to access to quality medical care and fun activities.

Regardless of the reason for moving in retirement — living closer to family, cheaper cost of living, downsizing, better healthcare or just wanting a different view out of the kitchen window — being informed before you change your address is a smart move.

So, which are the best states to retire in? We’ve highlighted the top 10.

Overall Rank	State	Total Score	Affordability Rank	Quality of Life Rank	Healthcare Rank
1	Florida	62.19	4	1	29
2	Colorado	61.00	14	27	3
3	Virginia	60.85	11	13	11
4	Delaware	59.57	3	34	22
5	Wyoming	59.04	7	7	37
6	Idaho	58.46	9	24	24
7	New Hampshire	57.75	28	8	5
8	Minnesota	57.53	39	4	1
9	Montana	57.17	21	12	16
10	Pennsylvania	56.28	35	2	8

*Rounded up or down. A rank of 1 represents the best conditions for that metric category.

Among the top ten states to retire, Florida comes in at number one, followed by Colorado, Virginia, Delaware, Wyoming, Idaho, New Hampshire, Minnesota, Montana and Pennsylvania.

The next 15 states also earn the distinction of being good states to retire in 2024: South Carolina, Utah, South Dakota, Arizona, North Carolina, Massachusetts, California, Wisconsin, North Dakota, Missouri, Michigan, Nebraska, Maine, Alabama and Ohio.

“Being retired brings freedom, but it also naturally comes with financial constraints, with many seniors living on a fixed income,” said Cassandra Happe, WalletHub Analyst.

“To make the most of your retirement savings, you should retire in a state where the cost of living and tax rates are friendly to retirees if you have the resources,” Hope said.

“You should also consider factors like the quality of the state’s healthcare system and the abundance of activities that you enjoy.”