If you pinched pennies all your working days to afford a life of ease and relaxation in retirement, think again. Where you choose to retire will determine the lifestyle you can afford, because the cheaper the state, the richer you are, according to Zippia, a career research website.
The latest U.S. Census figures show that over half a million adults age 65 and older have relocated, says Zippia, and the site says you can do it, too. For those hardy souls unafraid to pull up stakes and relocate far from family and friends, the key to a happy new life is finding a place they can afford.
First, forget about Florida if you’re planning to retire on the cheap. In fact, don’t bother thinking about the East or Left coasts either. It’s the Deep South where you need to plan your happily-ever-after retirement. Affordable housing and the low cost of living make the South the best place for retirees to hang their hat and make their new home.
To find the top 10 least expensive states to live, Zippia ranked each from one to 50 based on the median housing and monthly homeowner costs reported by the American Community Survey sponsored by the U.S. Census Bureau. The ranking was also determined by the cost of living in each state (calculated with MIT’s Living Wage Calculator) and by the Medicare Advantage cost and state Medicare spend per person, based on data from the Kaiser Family Foundation website.
Here, in ascending order, are the top 10 absolute cheapest states to retire in 2020.
10. Tennessee
Retire to the state that boasts Nashville, also known as Music City U.S.A. The median cost of a home in the state is $158,600; the monthly cost of a Medicare Advantage Plan is $45.02; and the cost of living is an average household income per year of $46,785.
9. Alabama
Sweet Home Alabama could become your home, too, since it's very affordable to retire there. The median cost of a home is $137,200; the monthly cost of a Medicare Advantage Plan is $51.88; and the cost of living is an average household income per year of $45,824.
8. Missouri
Let the Show Me State offer you a fun-filled retirement at a cost you can afford. The median cost of a home in the state is $151,000; the monthly cost of a Medicare Advantage Plan is $43.15; and the cost of living is an average household income per year of $46,159.
7. Kentucky
Retire to your new affordable Kentucky home, where you can sip mint juleps and watch the action trackside at Churchill Downs in Louisville. The median cost of a home is $135,000; the monthly cost of a Medicare Advantage Plan is $56.36; and the cost of living is an average household income per year of $43,308.
6. Louisiana
Retirement can be a festival in affordable Louisiana, known for Mardi Gras and jazz music. The median cost of a home is $157,800; the monthly cost of a Medicare Advantage Plan is $41.98; and the cost of living is an average household income per year of $47,975.
5. Indiana
Retire to Indiana, home of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, and you can afford to live life in the fast lane, whether or not you’re a fan of race car driving. The median cost of a home is $135,400; the monthly cost of a Medicare Advantage Plan is $48.04; and the cost of living is an average household income per year of $46,838.
4. West Virginia
Enjoy nature’s beauty or man-made luxury in affordable West Virginia. The median cost of a home is $115,000; the monthly cost of a Medicare Advantage Plan is $59.75; and the cost of living is an average household income per year of $44,823.
3. Oklahoma
Get your kicks on Route 66, known as the Main Street of America, in your new affordable home in Oklahoma. The median cost of a home in the state is $130,900; the monthly cost of a Medicare Advantage Plan is $48.49; and the cost of living is an average household income per year of $46,613.
2. Arkansas
Home to America’s first national park in Hot Springs, Arkansas can also offer you an affordable retirement. The median cost of a home in the state is $123,300; the monthly cost of a Medicare Advantage Plan is $44.49; and the cost of living is an average household income per year of $44,571.
1. Mississippi
Known as the Hospitality State, Mississippi welcomes retirees with open arms and low property taxes. The median cost of a home is $114,500; the monthly cost of a Medicare Advantage Plan is $38.56; and the cost of living is an average household income per year of $46,084.
