Best and Worst States to Retire – An Analysis by WalletHub

There are some people who plan to work hard ’till their old and grey. But for the majority, we’re putting in all we’ve got now so we can enjoy our golden years with blissfully well-deserved rest and relaxation. Retirement is on the radar for almost everyone, whether that day will come in decades from now or is just around the corner.

As per the personal finance website, WalletHub, “31 percent of all non-retired adults have no retirement savings or pension because many simply cannot afford to contribute to any type of plan.” This puts where they live at high importance. Factors like cost of living and senior-friendly accommodations vary from state to state, so those planning retirement without significant savings should research some of the best (and worst) states to retire. Planning ahead of time will make retirement less stressful and more money-wise.

WalletHub conducted an analysis comparing the 50 U.S. states and the District of Columbia using 31 key metrics including affordability, adjusted cost of living, entertainment, crime rate, health-related factors, and overall quality of life, to determine which states are the most retirement-friendly and those that would not suit retirees as well. As per WalletHub, the states which scored the best, “let you keep more money in your pocket without requiring a drastic lifestyle change.”

See if your state made the 10 best or the 10 worst list or if any of the states which stood out were ones you or a family member were considering for retirement.

10 Best States to Retire

1. Florida
2. Wyoming
3. South Dakota
4. Iowa
5. Colorado
6. Idaho
7. South Carolina
8. Nevada
9. Delaware
10. Wisconsin

10 Worst States to Retire

1. Rhode Island
2. Alaska
3. District of Columbia
4. Connecticut
5. Hawaii
6. New Jersey
7. New Mexico
8. Vermont
9. Kentucky
10. Arkansas

For the full ranking, see WalletHub’s analytical findings here.

If retirement is on your mind and you’d rather enjoy your years of leisure sooner than later, work hard now and allow the rewards to pay off later!

Birthday dinners, group trips, concert tickets, weddings. None of them feel huge on their own, but together they can quietly take over your budget. Financial peer pressure rarely looks like someone pushing you to spend. It usually looks like not wanting to be the one who says no, and it’s often amplified by what we

Getting paid more doesn’t always mean switching jobs. Often, the fastest route to a bigger paycheck is learning how to ask for a raise in the role you already have, and backing that request with proof. Here’s when to ask, how much to request, what to say, and what to do if the answer is

Your checking account has one job: paying for everyday life without bounced payments or surprise fees. But keep too much there, and your spare cash earns almost nothing. So how much money should I keep in my checking account? For most people, it’s one month of expenses plus a small buffer. Here’s how to work

Whether you’re looking for a new job or hoping to advance in your current career, earning a certification can be a practical way to build new skills and demonstrate your expertise. As technology and workplace expectations continue to evolve, certifications can also help professionals keep up with in-demand areas such as AI, cloud computing, data

Oh, how far we’ve come! Recently, it was revealed that — finally! — women CEOs at Fortune 500 companies outnumber male CEOs named John. A dubious milestone, but it’s something to celebrate. Though women have come pretty far in society, the progress we’ve made is far from enough. From the pay gap to daily microaggressions,

Trying to cancel your gym membership can be more tiring than actually attending that kickboxing class you keep skipping. Getting out of your gym contract can be so tough that people are going to great lengths to avoid paying any penalties. After going into debt living a lifestyle she couldn’t afford, this woman forged fake

Even if you don’t know the first thing about collectables, you know Funko POPs. Everyone does. They’re absolutely everywhere, from comic book shops to big box stores to movie theater concession stands. Many people think Funko POPs are cute, with their big black eyes and uniform features. Others think they’re creepy for pretty much the

Now that she’s the fifth billionaire musician Update: August 18th 2026 Beyoncé remains a billionaire, with Forbes currently estimating her net worth at $1 billion. Since reaching billionaire status in late 2025, the superstar has continued expanding her business empire and musical legacy. In August 2026, Beyoncé became the sole owner of SirDavis after buying

Updated: August 17th, 2026 Scott Disick spent much of last year rethinking his living situation, especially after briefly considering a move to New York with his eldest son, Mason. In a November 2025 episode of The Kardashians, Scott said Mason told him he “can’t actually move,” which led Scott to reverse course and keep the

Update: August 17th, 2026 TL;DR TikTok’s favourite tradwife has already welcomed her fourth child, settled into a new home, and continues to fuel the Internet’s debate around curated domesticity. Here’s what’s new with Nara Smith, why the “tradwife” trend is still evolving, and what it says about the appeal of traditional homemaking online in 2026.