There are many factors that go into making a state an ideal retirement destination. The cost of living, the weather, and the quality of health care are just some of the many things to consider when deciding on where to retire.
The worst states to retire in 2020 are the worst states in the US for retirement. They have high costs of living, low median incomes, and a good chance of being near an ocean or river.
When you think about retirement, your mind almost immediately conjures up thoughts of Florida, but is it really the most you can expect for? While the weather is usually always hot and bright, it is not enough to create a retirement.
We looked at 32 distinct rating criteria across six categories to determine which states are the greatest and worst locations to retire, including cost, crime and poverty, culture, weather and location, and health and wellbeing, to help you discover the ideal spot to spend your golden years.
DepositPhotos.com is the source of this image.
Methodology
Finder analyzed the states and Washington, DC across 32 rating criteria to identify the best and worst places for retirement. Each factor was given a score on a scale of 0 to 100, with 0 indicating the states with the greatest drivers and 100 representing the ones with the worst. A score of 50 is the average score across all 50 states and the District of Columbia.
Our main categories were each given a 20-point weighting:
- Affordability
- Poverty and crime
- Culture
- Weather and geographical location
- Well-being and health
Affordability
- Indicator of living costs
- Seniors’ median yearly income
- OASDI (Social Security) averaged over a year for retired employees
- Is Social Security income subject to taxation?
- Is it true that withdrawals from retirement funds are taxed?
- Is income from public and private pensions taxed?
- Rate of Property Tax
- Is there an inheritance tax?
- Is there a death tax?
- Costs of Adult Day Care on a Monthly Basis
- Costs of Home Care on a Monthly Basis
- The Average Monthly Cost of Assisted Living
- In the last 12 months, what percentage of seniors were unable to visit a doctor due to financial constraints?
Poverty and crime
- The poverty rate among seniors is high.
- % of elderly citizens who are food insecure
- The number of violent crimes per 100,000 persons
- Property crime as a percentage of the population
- Per 100k individuals, there is a burglary.
- Theft by larceny per 100,000 persons
Arts and Culture
- Per 100k inhabitants, how many arts, entertainment, and leisure businesses are there?
- Establishments of Food Services and Drinking Places per 100,000 persons
- Per 100k inhabitants, how many golf courses and country clubs are there?
- Rate of senior volunteers
The Climate and the Location
- Pollution of the air
- Violations of the water supply
- Per 100 square miles of land, natural catastrophes occur.
- Distance along the coast
- Per 100,000 inhabitants, the National Park Service has acreage.
Well-being and health
- Number of seniors’ healthcare standards that are at least average
- the average life expectancy
- Deaths among the elderly per 100,000 persons
- Seniors are at risk of social isolation.
The U.S. Census Bureau, Federal Bureau of Investigation, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Federal Emergency Management Agency, Social Security Administration, Missouri Economic Research and Information Center, Tax Foundation, Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ), SeniorLiving.org, America’s Health Rankings, and Feeding America provided data for this ranking.
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adrian825 / istockphoto / adrian825 / istockphoto / adrian825 / istockphoto
West Virginia is number 51.
57.7% of people can afford it.
16.7% of the population is afflicted by crime and poverty.
0 for culture
Climate and location: 20°F
25. Health and well-being
23.9 points overall
Zillow is the source of this image.
Oklahoma is number 50.
72.5 percent of the population is able to afford it.
14.3 percent of the population is afflicted by crime and poverty.
25 years of culture
11.4°C, 11.4°C, 11.4°C, 11.4°C
21.4 percent of people are satisfied with their health and well-being.
The final score was 28.9 out of a possible 30.
OldHouseDreams.com is the source of this image.
District of Columbia (DC)
Affordability (percentage): 49
12.3% of the population is affected by crime and poverty.
55.4 Culture
7.2°C, 7.2°F, 7.2°F, 7.2°F
31. Health and well-being
Overall rating: 31
Frontpage/Shutterstock/Frontpage/Shutterstock/Shutterstock/Shutterstock/Shutterstock/Shutter
New Mexico is number 48.
Affordability (in US dollars): 52.8
Poverty and crime: 1.8
14.5 points for culture
51.6°F, 51.6°C, 51.6°C, 51.6°C
38.2 percent of people are satisfied with their health and well-being.
31.8 points overall
Davel5957 is the author of this image.
Louisiana is number 47.
67.6% of people can afford it.
Poverty and crime: 4.2
17.2 Culture
38.1°F, 38.1°C, 38.1°C, 38.1°C
32.8 percent of people are satisfied with their health and well-being.
Overall rating: 32
Zillow is the source of this image.
46. Texas
70.3 % of the population is able to afford it.
Poverty and crime: 7.2
10.7 Culture
Temperature and location: 28.6°F
46.5 percent of people are satisfied with their health and well-being.
32.6 points overall
DenisTangneyJr., DenisTangneyJr., DenisTangneyJr., Denis
Alabama is number 45.
71.7 % of the population is able to afford it.
16.7% of the population is afflicted by crime and poverty.
14th century culture
The temperature is 40.5 degrees Fahrenheit, and the location is 40.5 degrees Fahren
27.5 percent of people are satisfied with their health and well-being.
34.1 points overall
Sean Pavone is the photographer for this image.
Mississippi is number 44.
72.2 percent of the population is able to afford it.
26.9% of the population is afflicted by crime and poverty.
10.6 Culture
Weather and location: 39.4 degrees Fahrenheit
23.1 percent of people are satisfied with their health and well-being.
34.4 points overall
stevegeer is the author of this image.
Kentucky is number 43.
59.7% of people can afford it.
50.5 percent of the population lives in poverty.
15.9 Culture
Climate and location: 20°F
30.3 percent of people are satisfied with their health and well-being.
35.3 points overall
Zillow is the source of this image.
Arkansas is number 42.
66.7 % of the population is able to afford it.
12.1 percent of the population is afflicted by crime and poverty.
23.9 Culture
44.1°F, 44.1°C, 44.1°C, 44.1°C
29.8% of people are satisfied with their health and well-being.
35.3 points overall
Tara Ballard provided the image.
Tennessee is number 41.
73.1 percent of the population is able to afford it.
10.4 percent of the population is afflicted by crime and poverty.
25 years of culture
The weather and the place are both 42.5 degrees Fahrenheit.
28.1 percent of people are satisfied with their health and well-being.
35.8 is the overall score.
Swarmcatcher is the author of this image.
South Carolina is number forty.
70 % of the population is able to afford it.
Poverty and crime: 6.7
35 years of culture
30°C weather and location
45. Health and well-being
37.3 points overall
SeanPavonePhoto contributed to this image.
Georgia is number 39.
72.5 percent of the population is able to afford it.
29.2 percent of the population is afflicted by crime and poverty.
11.9% of the population is cultural.
35.9% humidity, 35.9% humidity, 35.9% humidity, 35.9% humidity, 35
40. Health and well-being
Overall, a 37.9% success rate was achieved.
SeanPavonePhoto contributed to this image.
Missouri is number 38.
59 % of the population is able to afford it.
Poverty and crime: 28
28. Culture
43.2°F, 43.2°F, 43.2°F, 43.2°F
36. Health and well-being
The overall score is 38.8.
Zillow is the source of this image.
37. Ohio
64.1 % of the population is able to afford it.
42.2 percent of the population is afflicted by crime and poverty.
33.3 percent of the population is cultural
33.3°F, 33.3°C, 33.3°C, 33.3°C
23.3 percent of people are satisfied with their health and well-being.
Overall, a score of 39.3 was achieved.
stonena7 / istockphoto / stonena7 / istockphoto / istockphoto / istockphoto / ist
Arizona is number 36.
62.4 % of the population is able to afford it.
26. Poverty and crime
16.2 Culture
44.8°F, 44.8°C, 44.8°C, 44.8°C
55.7 percent of people are satisfied with their health and well-being.
Overall rating: 41
wanderluster is the source of this image.
Washington, D.C.
53.8 % of the population is able to afford it.
16.7% of the population is afflicted by crime and poverty.
25 years of culture
53.3°F, 53.3°F, 53.3°F, 53.3°F
58.3% of people are satisfied with their health and well-being.
41.4 points overall
4nadia is the author of this image.
Illinois is number 34.
57.6% of people can afford it.
46.9% of the population is affected by crime and poverty.
45.3 percent of the population is cultural.
28.7°F with a high of 28.7°F and a low of 28
34.5 percent of people are satisfied with their health and well-being.
42.6 points overall
Image courtesy of ibsky.
Indiana is number 33.
66.5 % of the population is able to afford it.
49.1 percent of the population is affected by crime and poverty.
40.3 percent of the population is cultural
32.2°F, 32.2°F, 32.2°F, 32.2°F
31.3 percent of people are satisfied with their health and well-being.
43.9 points overall
f11photo is the photographer responsible for this image.
32.Wyoming
53.8 % of the population is able to afford it.
0 in terms of crime and poverty.
100 points for culture
Climate and location: 20°F
50 years of health and happiness
44.8 points overall
AnujSahaiPhotography contributed to this image.
North Carolina is number 31.
65.6 % of the population is able to afford it.
27.5 percent of the population is afflicted by crime and poverty.
35.3 percent of the population is cultural.
54.1°F, 54.1°F, 54.1°F, 54.1°F
42.7 percent of people are satisfied with their health and well-being.
Overall rating: 45
DepositPhotos.com is the source of this image.
Kansas is number 30.
59.3% of people can afford it.
39.7% of the population is affected by crime and poverty.
54.4 percent of people are cultural.
33.5 degrees Fahrenheit, at a temperature of 33.5 degrees Fahrenheit.
40.4 percent of people are satisfied with their health and well-being.
45.5 points overall
Zillow is the source of this image.
Michigan is number 29 on the list.
65.5 % of the population is able to afford it.
51.8 percent of the population lives in poverty.
37.5 percent culture
Climate and location: 45°F
30.3 percent of people are satisfied with their health and well-being.
Overall rating: 46
haveseen is the source of this image.
Nevada is number 28.
69.4 percent of people can afford it.
23.5 percent of the population is afflicted by crime and poverty.
34.1 Culture
53.6°F, 53.6°F, 53.6°F, 53.6°F
50 years of health and happiness
46.1 percentile score
AlizadaStudios provided the image.
California is number 27.
58. Affordability
29.4 percent of the population is afflicted by crime and poverty.
42.9 percent of the population is cultural.
48.2°F, 48.2°F, 48.2°F, 48.2
54.4 percent of people are satisfied with their health and well-being.
46.6 points overall
Depositphotos.com is the source of this image.
26. Utah
55.1 % of the population is able to afford it.
36.1 percent of the population is affected by crime and poverty.
29.2 Culture
53.3°F, 53.3°F, 53.3°F, 53.3°F
62.5 percent of people are satisfied with their health and well-being.
47.3 points overall
Ken Lund’s photograph of Nebo Loop Road, between Payson and Nephi, Utah (26) (CC BY-SA).
Florida is number 25.
77.6% of people can afford it.
33.7 percent of the population is affected by crime and poverty.
27.5 points for culture
51.7°F, 51.7°F, 51.7°F, 51.7°F
46.4 percent of people are satisfied with their health and well-being.
47.4 on a scale of one to ten.
Depositphotos.com is the source of this image.
Pennsylvania is number 24.
64.7 % of the population is able to afford it.
72.3 percent of the population is afflicted by crime and poverty.
45.8 Culture
The weather and the place are 28.3 degrees Fahrenheit.
31.3 percent of people are satisfied with their health and well-being.
48.5 points overall
AppalachianViews is the source of this image.
Oregon is number 23.
43.8 % of the population is able to afford it.
39.8% of the population is affected by crime and poverty.
63.5 percent culture
Location and weather: 44
53.9 percent of people are satisfied with their health and well-being.
Overall rating: 49
HaizhanZheng is the author of this image.
Wisconsin is number 22.
53.8 % of the population is able to afford it.
66.7 percent of the population is afflicted by crime and poverty.
75 years of culture
0 (weather) and 0 (place)
50 years of health and happiness
The final score was 49.1 out of 100.
Zillow is the source of this image.
Rhode Island is number twenty-one.
35.7 % of the population is able to afford it.
66.7 percent of the population is afflicted by crime and poverty.
63.6 percent of the population is cultural.
30.9°F, 30.9°C, 30.9°C, 30.9°C
50 years of health and happiness
The final score was 49.4 out of 100.
danlogan is the author of this image.
Maryland is number twenty-first.
52.2 % of the population is able to afford it.
Poverty and crime: 48.4
39.2 Culture
Location and weather: 50
57.5 percent of people are satisfied with their health and well-being.
The final score was 49.4 out of 100.
James Lane is the author of this image.
Virginia, number 19
75 % of the population is able to afford it.
70.8 percent of the population is afflicted by crime and poverty.
25 years of culture
Climate and location: 40°F
43.8 percent of people are satisfied with their health and well-being.
50.9 percentile score
DenisTangneyJr., DenisTangneyJr., DenisTangneyJr., Denis
Hawaii (number 18)
Affordability (percentage): 50.1
38.5 percent of the population is affected by crime and poverty.
40.4 % culture
56.4°F, 56.4°F, 56.4°F, 56.4°F
69.2 percent of people are satisfied with their health and well-being.
50.9 percentile score
Art Wager is responsible for this image.
New Jersey is number seventeen.
53.3 % of the population is able to afford it.
85.8% of the population lives in poverty.
41.3 percent of the population is cultural.
25.4°F, 25.4°F, 25.4°F, 25.4°F
52.5 percent of people are satisfied with their health and well-being.
51.7 percentile score
aimintang is the creator of this image.
New York is number sixteen.
46.2 % of the population is able to afford it.
61.1 percent of the population is afflicted by crime and poverty.
54.2 Culture
52.2°F, 52.2°F, 52.2°F, 52.2°F
50 years of health and happiness
52.7 percentile score
Eloi Omella is the creator of this image.
Nebraska is number 15 on the list.
50.5 % of the population is able to afford it.
54.4 percent of the population is afflicted by crime and poverty.
69.6% of people are interested in culture.
Location and weather: 47
47.8% of people are satisfied with their health and well-being.
53.8 points overall
Marekuliasz is the author of this image.
Delaware is number fourteen.
73.2 % of the population is able to afford it.
49.2 percent of the population is affected by crime and poverty.
52.9 percent of people are cultural.
The weather and the place are both 28.5 degrees Fahrenheit.
73.8 percent of people are satisfied with their health and well-being.
55.5 points overall
mdgmorris is the author of this image.
Connecticut is number thirteen.
45.7 % of the population is able to afford it.
Poverty and crime: 78
61.4% are cultural.
41.6°F, 41.6°C, 41.6°C, 41.6°C
57.4 percent of people are satisfied with their health and well-being.
The overall score is 56.8.
traveler1116 is the photographer behind this image.
Massachusetts is number twelve.
Affordability (in US dollars): 48.4
Poverty and crime: 69
59.5 % culture
The temperature is 53.5 degrees Fahrenheit, and the location is 53.5 degrees Fahren
55.2 percent of people are satisfied with their health and well-being.
57.1 points overall
Rolf 52 is the author of this image.
Colorado is number eleven.
59.8% of people can afford it.
44.1 percent of the population is affected by crime and poverty.
50 years of culture
55.3°F, 55.3°F, 55.3°F, 55.3°F
78.4 percent of people are satisfied with their health and well-being.
57.5 points overall
Jacob Boomsma / istockphoto contributed to this image.
South Dakota is number ten.
63.2 % of the population is able to afford it.
40.7 percent of the population lives in poverty.
80.6 percent of the population is cultural
53.3°F, 53.3°F, 53.3°F, 53.3°F
50 years of health and happiness
The overall score is 57.6.
RiverNorthPhotography is responsible for this image.
9. Alaska
Affordability (percentage): 51
27.2 percent of the population is afflicted by crime and poverty.
64.3 percent of the population is cultural.
Weather and location: 78.4 degrees Fahrenheit
68.9% of people are satisfied with their health and well-being.
Overall rating: 58
julof90 is the author of this image.
Vermont is ranked number eight.
33.8 % of the population is able to afford it.
Poverty and crime: 80
85 years of culture
Climate and location: 40°F
60 % of the population is in good health.
59.8 is the overall score.
“DonLand” is the source of this image.
7. Iowa
60.5 % of the population is able to afford it.
65.3 percent of the population is afflicted by crime and poverty.
73.6 percent of the population is cultural.
42.3°F, 42.3°F, 42.3°F, 42.3°F
60.7 percent of people are satisfied with their health and well-being.
60.5 points overall
JoeChristensen is the photographer behind this image.
Minnesota is number six on the list.
49.8% of people can afford it.
66.1 percent of the population is afflicted by crime and poverty.
66.7 percent of the population is cultural.
62.2°F, 62.2°F, 62.2°F, 62.2°F
61.1 percent of people are satisfied with their health and well-being.
61.2 percentile score
JoeChristensen is the photographer behind this image.
Montana is number five.
49.3% of people can afford it.
Poverty and crime: 49.3%
88.6 percent of the population is cultural.
The weather and the place are both 67.5 degrees Fahrenheit.
52.1 percent of people are satisfied with their health and well-being.
61.3 points overall
YinYang is the creator of this image.
4. Maine
42.3 % of the population is able to afford it.
76.9% of people live in poverty.
82.3% are cultural.
54.9°F, 54.9°C, 54.9°C, 54.9°C
55.7 percent of people are satisfied with their health and well-being.
62.4 is the overall score
DepositPhotos.com is the source of this image.
3. Idaho
60.2 % of the population is able to afford it.
88.2 percent of people live in poverty.
Culture (49.3%).
58.4°F, 58.4°F, 58.4°F, 58
60.5 percent of people are satisfied with their health and well-being.
63.3 percentile score
knowlesgallery is the source of this image.
North Dakota is number two.
49.5 % of the population is able to afford it.
60.4 percent of the population is afflicted by crime and poverty.
87.5 percent of people are cultural.
71.2°F, 71.2°F, 71.2°F, 71.2°F
59.4 percent of people are satisfied with their health and well-being.
65.6 percentile score
DepositPhotos.com is the source of this image.
New Hampshire is number one.
72.5 percent of the population is able to afford it.
97.6% of people live in poverty.
70.3 % culture
33.3°F, 33.3°C, 33.3°C, 33.3°C
72.6 percent of people are satisfied with their health and well-being.
Overall, I received a score of 69.3 out of 100.
DenisTangneyJr., DenisTangneyJr., DenisTangneyJr., Denis
Expert retirement planning advice
We didn’t want to simply tell you which states are the greatest and worst to retire in. Experts were also contacted by Finder to offer some crucial retirement advice. Take a look at these five retirement planning tips.
fstop123 is the photographer responsible for this image.
1. Make your retirement savings automatic.
“Don’t depend on yourself to save money on a monthly basis. You want to put your retirement funds on autopilot. Set up automatic transfers from your checking account to investment accounts, such as an IRA or taxable account, as soon as your income arrives.
“It may be daunting to think about raising your retirement contributions, such as moving from a 10% savings rate to a 20% savings rate, if you’re behind in your retirement savings. A smart idea here is to start modest and gradually raise your savings rate. For example, every three months, aim to raise your savings rate by 1%. In 2.5 years, you will have improved your savings rate by 10%.”
— R.J. Weiss, CFP, The Ways to Wealth founder
DepositPhotos.com is the source of this image.
2. Prioritize investment.
“Assume you get a $5,000 increase per year early in your career. If you put $5,000 each year into an investing account that grows at a 10% yearly rate, you would have amassed nearly $822,000 in 30 years. You will have spent a total of $150,000 and earned a total of $672,000 as a result of your efforts.
“And, lest you think a 10% annual return is unrealistic, consider this: according to Ibbotson Associates, the average annual return on a large capitalization stock index (think S&P 500) has been 10.2 percent since 1926, while investments in long-term government and long-term corporate bonds have grown at 5.5 percent and 6.1 percent, respectively.”
— Robert R. Johnson, PhD, CFA, CAIA, Professor at Creighton University’s Heider College of Business
Tinpixels is the source of this image.
3. Take advantage of compound interest.
“Starting to make money with the money you already have is one approach to retire sooner. Compound interest is the name given to this method. Essentially, this implies that you earn interest on the money you’ve saved before earning interest on the money you’ve saved plus the interest you’ve earned.
“The more money you save, the more money you will make in interest, and the more money you will get as a consequence.” It’s a snowball effect that can help you save a lot more money in the long run, and it may even allow you to retire sooner than you anticipated.”
— George Birrell, CPA and TaxHub Founder
Image courtesy of American Advisors Group on Flickr.
4. Get as much money as possible from Social Security.
“A pension ensures a lifelong income, but they’re becoming more uncommon in the private sector.” However, some data suggests that many younger employees are considering annuities as a substitute for pensions.
“When it comes to retirement planning, they are a kind of financial arrangement you pay into.” They then give you a set amount of money every year for the rest of your life when you retire. That’s a figure you can count on and plan around, without fear of outliving your retirement funds.
“Another thing to think about is how to get as much money out of Social Security as possible.” You may begin receiving benefits as early as age 62, but the earlier you start collecting, the lower your benefits will be.”
— Terry Turner, RetireGuide.com Senior Writer
DepositPhotos.com is the source of this image.
5. Stay away from Relocation Stress Syndrome.
“Moving to a different city, state, or area in the United States may be a life-changing experience: health professionals have recognized a collection of symptoms that arise when people relocate from one environment to another and have dubbed it Relocation Stress Syndrome’ (RSS).
“So, contrary of what the popular press says, retiring to a ‘affordable paradise’ is a lot more difficult and stressful procedure than many people think!”
— Timothy G. Wiedman, D.B.A., PHR Emeritus, Doane University Associate Professor of Management & Human Resources (Retired)
Related:
MediaFeed.org syndicated this story, which first appeared on Finder.com.
Suwanmanee99 / istockphoto contributed to this image.
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The 10 worst states to retire aarp is a list of the 10 states that have the highest percentage of their population over 65 years old.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the worst states in the United States to retire in?
The worst states to retire in are Iowa, Alaska, and Mississippi.
What are the worst states to retire in 2021?
The worst states to retire in 2021 are Hawaii, New York, and California.
What are the worst states to retire in financially 2020?
