Just because you’re retired doesn’t mean you stop living. It does mean, however, that you’re likely living on a fixed income and have to budget your expenses, and that’s easier to do in some states than others.
That means retirees may want to either adjust their lifestyles according to where they live, or seek out a new residence that affords a better quality of life.
To determine the best states to live in retirement, WalletHub compared all 50 states, using 46 key indicators, including affordability, health-related factors and overall quality of life.
"In addition to when to retire, a good question to ask is where," the report said. "Finding the best states to retire can be difficult without doing lots of research. Even in the most affordable areas of the U.S., most retirees cannot rely on Social Security or pension checks alone to cover all of their living expenses."
The report also noted that residency also impacts Social Security income.
"Social Security benefits increase with local inflation, but they replace only about 39 percent of the average worker’s earnings," the report said.
Below, in ascending order, are WalletHub’s Top 10 Best States to Retire in 2019.
10. Minnesota
Retirees won’t be bored living in Minnesota; the Land of 10,000 Lakes is tied with New York, California and Illinois for most theaters per capita. Minnesota also has the second-highest life expectancy after Hawaii.
9. Pennsylvania
If you retire to Pennsylvania, you’ll be in good company: the Keystone State is tied with Montana as the state with the fifth-highest population of residents aged 65 and older. Pennsylvania ranked fifth in quality of life, despite a rank of 22 in health care and 23 in affordability.
8. Wyoming
Wyoming’s nickname doesn’t mean it just appeals to ranch hands. The Cowboy State offers retirees the fifth-lowest adjusted cost of living and fifth-best WalletHub taxpayer ranking. The state ranks eighth in affordability and 12th in quality of life, but came in at 36 in health care.
7. Iowa
Retirees can enjoy the sight of scenic vistas of rolling plains and Iowa’s world famous fields of corn, but the state also ranks eighth in quality of life and 10th in health care. But the state came in at 27 for affordability.
6. Utah
Although Utah has the fewest museums per capita of any state in America, and the second-lowest percentage of people aged 65, the Beehive State ranks at 16 for affordability and health care, and 14 for quality of life.
5. Virginia
“Old Dominion” is the birthplace of eight U.S. presidents and was named in honor of Queen Elizabeth, the “Virgin Queen.” It ranks 13th in quality of life and 14th in affordability, but 24th in health care.
4. New Hampshire
New Hampshire has the lowest property-crime rate of all 50 states. The Granite State ranks third in quality of life and ninth in health care, but ranks further down the scale at 25 for affordability.
3. Colorado
You’ll find few contemporaries living in Colorado, which ranks at 45 in the percentage of population age 65 or older. Colorado also ranks fourth in health care and ninth in quality of life, despite a middling rank of 26 in affordability.
2. South Dakota
Only Alaska has a higher percentage of people working at age 65 and older. South Dakota also offers a comfortable life for those who want leave their careers behind, ranking fifth in health care and ninth in affordability. The state ranked at 22 for quality of life.
1. Florida
The Sunshine State has the highest percentage of seniors age 65 or older and is 47th among states in the number of people that age who are still working. The state ranks first in affordability and seventh in quality of life, but a not-as-impressive 27th in health care.
The full report can be viewed here.
