Top Retirement Destinations in 2025: Identifying Ideal Locations for Retirement
Which state offers the finest retirement destination? This could be a question that crosses your mind as you approach retirement age.
Individuals have distinctive preferences when it comes to retirement, and these determine the best state to retire in. To get a grasp of what people truly value in retirement, Our Website conducted a survey of 1,500 Americans and ranked all 50 states based on their preferences.
Dive further for a comprehensive breakdown of the best states to retire based on what Americans desire most.
The best states to retire: Full ranking
The best states to retire: The full ranking
Retirement factors ranked
How we ranked the best states to retire in
Our Website surveyed 1,500 Americans aged 55 and above to determine the retirement factors that were most significant to them. These preferences formed the basis for an index to rank the best states to retire in. The index utilized the following factors and weights:
- Quality of life: 15.2%
- Housing cost: 14.9%
- Healthcare quality and cost: 14.8%
- Crime: 14.8%
- Taxes: 13.7%
- Cost of living: 13.6%
- Weather: 13.1%
For more details on the methodology, see the end of the article.
Here's the complete list of factors Americans consider when deciding on a state to retire to:
Top 10 best states to retire to in 2025
Based on our study and data analysis, here's the ranking of the best states for retirees:
- Florida
- Nebraska
- Maryland
- Minnesota
- Wisconsin
- New Hampshire
- Utah
- Iowa
- New Jersey
- South Dakota
Best state to retire
The best state to retire to: Florida
Florida tops our list as the best state to retire in, according to our methodology. It boasts warm weather with an average temperature of 72.8oF, an above-average crime score, a relatively low tax burden, and a strong quality-of-life ranking. Its scores in housing costs, healthcare, and cost of living are relatively average.
- Overall score out of 100: 100
- Quality-of-life score: 52 (ranked 21st)
- Housing score: 67 (ranked 31st, October 2024 ZHVI*: $392,176 )
- Healthcare score: 61 (ranked 28th)
- Crime score: 83 (ranked 13th)
- Tax score: 60 (ranked 11th)
- Weather score: 89 (ranked 2nd, 5-year average 72.8oF)
- Cost-of-living score: 83 (ranked 30th)
* ZHVI = Zillow Home Value Index
The view from the state: “Florida’s ranking as the best state to retire in is a reflection of an exceptional blend of factors. With its favorable low-tax environment, world-class healthcare institutions, robust transportation infrastructure, America’s number one rated higher education system, convenient airports and cruise ports, and access to stunning beaches, Florida offers retirees the perfect setting to enjoy their golden years,” said Mark Wilson, President & CEO of the Florida Chamber of Commerce. “Additionally, Florida is home to top-rated cities for retirement such as Naples and Sarasota. Paired with a thriving economy and top-rated retirement communities, Florida consistently sets the standard for retirees seeking both comfort and opportunity.”
Top 10 best states to retire in: 2-10
2. Nebraska
Nebraska secures the second-best position as a state to retire in overall due to relatively affordable housing and low cost of living, along with a strong crime score. Its quality-of-life and public health rankings are also above average. However, low scores in weather and taxes can be a setback, especially for retirees seeking warm temperatures year-round.
- Overall score out of 100: 92
- Quality-of-life score: 56 (ranked 18th)
- Housing score: 87 (ranked 14th, October 2024 ZHVI: $259,443)
- Healthcare score: 79 (ranked 14th)
- Crime score: 82 (ranked 14th)
- Tax score: 39 (ranked 37th)
- Weather score: 45 (ranked 32nd, 5-year average 50.6oF)
- Cost-of-living score: 89 (ranked 22nd)
The view from the state: “Nebraskans are known for taking care of their neighbors, and we’re an exceptionally safe and affordable state,” said K.C. Belitz, director of the Nebraska Department of Economic Development. “This mix of qualities makes us an appealing destination for retirees.”
- Total score out of 100: 89 (Maryland)
- Quality-of-life rating: 96 (3rd place)
- Housing rating: 63 (35th, October 2024 ZHVI: $418,438)
- Healthcare rating: 81 (10th place)
- Crime rating: 60 (29th place)
- Tax rating: 41 (35th place)
- Weather rating: 57 (18th place, 5-year average 56.8oF)
- Cost-of-living rating: 72 (40th place)
Maryland's proud governor, Wes Moore, urges: "Maryland is thrilled to rank among the finest retirement destinations in the country." The state offers breathtaking natural landscapes, vibrant cityscapes, and historical small towns, along with world-class healthcare, arts, and entertainment, making it an enticing retirement spot.
4. Minnesota
Exceptional scores in public health, crime, and cost of living provide Minnesotans with a comfortable retirement experience despite their middling tax and weather ratings. Retirees might find this state attractive despite its colder and longer winters.
- Total score out of 100: 87
- Quality-of-life rating: 64 (15th place)
- Housing rating: 76 (26th place, October 2024 ZHVI: $334,119)
- Healthcare rating: 94 (5th place)
- Crime rating: 87 (12th place)
- Tax rating: 34 (39th place)
- Weather rating: 30 (47th place, 5-year average 43oF)
- Cost-of-living rating: 82 (32nd place)
Minnesota's Governor Tim Walz affirms: "Minnesotans should retire with generosity and stability." By exempting most seniors from social security taxes, funding services ensuring seniors can age comfortably in their own homes, and securing safe communities across the state, Minnesota has earned its place as one of the top retirement havens.
5. Wisconsin
Wisconsin ranks fifth in the nation's best retirement states due to affordable housing, a low cost of living, one of the country's lowest crime rates, and a robust public health score. Like other Midwestern states, the state suffers from weak weather and middling quality-of-life and tax ratings.
- Total score out of 100: 87
- Quality-of-life rating: 48 (25th place)
- Housing rating: 80 (21st place, October 2024 ZHVI: $306,566)
- Healthcare rating: 80 (11th place)
- Crime rating: 95 (5th place)
- Tax rating: 44 (32nd place)
- Weather rating: 34 (42nd place, 5-year average 45.3oF)
- Cost-of-living rating: 85 (28th place)
Wisconsin Economic Development Association Board Chair, Melissa Hunt, adds: "Wisconsin provides an exceptional way of life, combining a variety of urban and rural housing options with a strong sense of security and community." At the Wisconsin Economic Development Association, we understand and respect the evolving trends of aging populations, taking pride in how our vibrant communities and economic environments cater to retirees.
6. New Hampshire
New Hampshire's inclusion in the top 10 retirement states is powered by top-notch public health and low crime rates complemented by a high-quality-of-life rating. However, the state is expensive to live in, and its inhabitants endure one of the coldest climates on our list.
- Total score out of 100: 82
- Quality-of-life rating: 60 (16th place)
- Housing rating: 54 (41st place, October 2024 ZHVI: $478,955)
- Healthcare rating: 96 (4th place)
- Crime rating: 93 (7th place)
- Tax rating: 56 (16th place)
- Weather rating: 36 (41st place, 5-year average 46.1oF)
- Cost-of-living rating: 63 (45th place)
7. Utah
Utah is the only western state in the top 10 retirement destinations, boasting the top public health score in the nation. Utah also excels in quality of life, cost of living, and crime ratings. Though it has some of the country's most expensive housing and high taxes, it offers a multitude of action-packed activities for retirees who love the great outdoors. Its weather is below average, but it caters to all seasons for outdoor enthusiasts.
- Total score out of 100: 79 (ranking 9th)
- Quality-of-life score: 76 (ranking 8th, with a focus on social determinants of health)
- Housing score: 49 (ranking 44th, October 2024 ZHVI: $517,020)
- Healthcare score: 100 (ranking 1st due to excellent facilities and services)
- Crime score: 72 (ranking 18th, ensuring safety and security)
- Tax score: 34 (ranking 39th, with a relatively low income tax)
- Weather score: 44 (ranking 33rd, with a 5-year average temperature of 50°F)
- Cost-of-living score: 81 (ranking 35th, despite some increased expenses)
According to recent data, Utah stands as a promising retirement destination, boasting high-quality healthcare facilities, a strong sense of community, and diverse outdoor recreational opportunities. With a top-tier healthcare system and more than 5 iconic national parks, Utah is an excellent choice for those seeking an active lifestyle and a reassuring living experience.
Iowa's standout offerings for retirees
- Total score out of 100: 78 (ranking 8th)
- Quality-of-life score: 40 (ranking 31st, though offering fewer social determinants of health factors)
- Housing score: 92 (ranking 7th, with an average home value of $220,277)
- Healthcare score: 66 (ranking 23rd, with services that still manage to meet basic needs)
- Crime score: 80 (ranking 17th, ensuring reasonably safe environments for retirement)
- Tax score: 42 (ranking 33rd, with moderate income tax)
- Weather score: 43 (ranking 34th, with a 5-year average temperature of 49.6°F)
- Cost-of-living score: 92 (ranking 11th, with lower overall expenses)
Iowa delivers an attractive proposition for retirees, offering a relatively inexpensive cost of living and robust crime scores. The state's affordable housing and low tax burden make it a top choice for retirees seeking financial stability and peace of mind.
New Jersey's strengths and weaknesses
- Total score out of 100: 77 (ranking 10th)
- Quality-of-life score: 96 (ranking 3rd, thanks to a wide range of amenities and services)
- Housing score: 46 (ranking 45th, with a high-priced average home value of $534,773)
- Healthcare score: 67 (ranking 22nd, with healthcare services that could benefit from improvement)
- Crime score: 91 (ranking 8th, ensuring safety and security)
- Tax score: 24 (ranking 45th, with a high income tax burden)
- Weather score: 54 (ranking 22nd, with a 5-year average temperature of 55.1°F)
- Cost-of-living score: 72 (ranking 41st, with a higher overall cost of living)
New Jersey presents a mixed bag of advantages and disadvantages for retirees. While offering a high quality of life and good crime scores, the state struggles with high housing and income taxes. Retirees looking for a more affordable option might wish to explore alternative retirement destinations.
South Dakota's appeal for budget-conscious retirees
- Total score out of 100: 77 (ranking 10th)
- Quality-of-life score: 44 (ranking 28th, with fewer social determinants of health factors)
- Housing score: 80 (ranking 22nd, with an affordable average home value of $306,944)
- Healthcare score: 72 (ranking 19th, with healthcare services that remain adequate)
- Crime score: 56 (ranking 32nd, ensuring relatively safe environments)
- Tax score: 66 (ranking 4th, with a moderate income tax and no taxation on retirement income)
- Weather score: 37 (ranking 38th, with a 5-year average temperature of 46.9°F)
- Cost-of-living score: 99 (ranking 5th, with overall expenses far below average)
South Dakota's appeal lies in its low overall cost of living, with moderate expenses and affordable housing. Budget-conscious retirees are likely to find value in this state, despite facing some drawbacks in terms of quality of life and weather.
Retirees prioritize both the excellence and affordability of healthcare when considering which states to retire in. We employed a single metric to represent this combination: the America's Health Rankings Senior Report score. This score is calculated based on multiple factors, such as healthcare quality, availability, cost, and outcomes.
Safest states to retire in
To ascertain the safety level of each state, we referenced the number of violent crimes per 100,000 population listed in the America's Health Rankings Crime Report.
States with the most favorable tax systems for retirement
We ranked states based on their tax policies by referring to the Tax Foundation's State and Local Tax Burden tables. The states with the lowest overall state and local tax burdens in the nation are listed below. Keep in mind that different states handle retirement income taxes differently.
States with desirable weather for retirees
Determining the state with the best weather for retirees can be challenging, if not impossible. Some retirees prefer mild winters, while others prioritize dryness over heat. Some love being near the beach, and others are content with cold winters as long as summers aren't oppressive. Ultimately, we opted for a five-year average temperature for our ranking.
Worst states to retire in
The worst states to retire in by 2025
The worst states to retire in consist of New Mexico, California, New York, Arkansas, and Nevada.
50. New Mexico
Despite scoring well in terms of cost of housing and living expenses, New Mexico struggled in other areas. It holds the poorest crime rate among all 50 states and the second-lowest quality-of-life score. These two factors, highly valued by retirees, are enough to push New Mexico to the bottom of the list.
- Overall score out of 100: 0
- Quality-of-life score: 12 (ranked 48th)
- Housing score: 80 (ranked 20th, October 2024 ZHVI: $303,910)
- Healthcare score: 42 (ranked 40th)
- Crime score: 0 (ranked 50th)
- Tax score: 50 (ranked 25th)
- Weather score: 54 (ranked 21st, 5-year average 55.5oF)
- Cost-of-living score: 93 (ranked 10th)
49. California
California, one of the most expensive states to retire in, has the second-highest cost of housing, third-highest cost of living, and fifth-highest tax burden. However, California can be an attractive retirement destination for those who can afford it. The state boasts a high quality-of-life score and strong weather and crime rankings.
- Overall score out of 100: 16
- Quality-of-life score: 84 (ranked 6th)
- Housing score: 11 (ranked 49th, October 2024 ZHVI: $771,057)
- Healthcare score: 59 (ranked 29th)
- Crime score: 71 (ranked 20th)
- Tax score: 21 (ranked 46th)
- Weather score: 63 (ranked 13th, 5-year average 59.9oF)
- Cost-of-living score: 41 (ranked 48th)
48. New York
High tax burdens, a low crime rating, and expensive housing cause New York to rank near the bottom of the list of desirable retirement destinations. New York does boast a high quality-of-life score, but this doesn't push it upward in the rankings.
- Overall score out of 100: 17
- Quality-of-life score: 92 (ranked 5th)
- Housing score: 54 (ranked 42nd, October 2024 ZHVI: $482,742)
- Healthcare score: 62 (ranked 27th)
- Crime score: 30 (ranked 46th)
- Tax score: 0 (ranked 50th)
- Weather score: 39 (ranked 37th, 5-year average 47.7oF)
- Cost-of-living score: 73 (ranked 39th)
47. Arkansas
Low scores in quality of life, public health, and crime weaken Arkansas's standing as one of the most affordable places to live and own a home.
- Overall score out of 100: 18
- Quality-of-life score: 12 (ranked 48th)
- Housing score: 94 (ranked 5th, October 2024 ZHVI: $208,078)
- Healthcare score: 18 (ranked 45th)
- Crime score: 25 (ranked 48th)
- Tax score: 50 (ranked 25th)
- Weather score: 67 (ranked 10th, 5-year average 61.8oF)
- Cost-of-living score: 96 (ranked 8th)
46. Nevada
Nevada's middling scores in quality of life, cost of housing, taxes, and weather, combined with poor public health and crime scores, position it at 46th on our list.
- Overall score out of 100: 19 (original score)
- Quality-of-life score: 28.5 (15.2% of total score * 19 / 100) (ranked 21st)
- Housing score: 26 (14.9% of total score * 19 / 100) (ranked 37th, October 2024 ZHVI: $442,185)
- Healthcare score: 12 (14.8% of total score * 19 / 100) (ranked 42nd)
- Crime score: 8 (14.8% of total score * 19 / 100) (ranked 49th)
- Tax score: 28.5 (13.7% of total score * 19 / 100) (ranked 16th)
- Weather score: 23 (13.1% of total score * 19 / 100) (ranked 28th, 5-year average 51.8oF)
- Cost-of-living score: 47 (13.6% of total score * 19 / 100) (ranked 18th)
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Our Website’s 2025 Best States to Retire study leans on data and rankings from various reliable sources, as well as primary data gathered by Our Website, to discover what Americans cherish most in retirement.
To determine the best states to retire in, Our Website adopted a three-step process:
1. Survey distribution and analysis
Our Website polled 1,500 American adults aged 55 or older to learn what aspects they treasure in retirement. This survey was dispatched on Dec. 2, 2021. Their responses revealed the factors considered in this study and the weighting of each factor, described below. The survey was distributed solely through Pollfish. The survey employed organic sampling via random device engagement.
Based on survey results, the following weighting was used:
- Quality of life: 15.2%
- Cost of living (excluding housing): 14.9%
- Healthcare: 14.8%
- Crime: 14.8%
- Taxes: 13.7%
- Cost of living (including housing): 13.6%
- Weather: 13.1%
2. Data analysis
Subsequently, Our Website selected data sources corresponding to the top retirement factors.
Quality of life
- Source: Sharecare's Community Well-Being Index (2022)
- Sharecare's Community Well-being Index, in collaboration with Boston University School of Public Health, examines over 600 factors across physical, financial, social, community, purpose, healthcare, food, resources, housing, and transportation, as well as data from over 400,000 Americans. The index makes use of county-level well-being data to offer a comprehensive evaluation of well-being.
- Quality of life is the leading retirement factor, according to Our Website’s Retirement Priorities Survey. Respondents emphasized the following as key quality-of-life characteristics: retail and dining (57%), outdoor recreation (47%), cultural activities (35%), spiritual community (31%), organized activities for retirees (23%), and civic organizations (14%).
- Sharecare's Community Well-being Index encompasses many of these areas, including a wide variety of physical, social, financial, and community factors.
Cost of living (excluding housing)
- Source: The Council for Community and Economic Research’s (C2ER) Cost of Living Index (Q2 2024)
- C2ER has amassed state- and MSA-level cost of living data since 1968. Data encompasses the cost of groceries, utilities, transportation, healthcare, miscellaneous goods and services, and housing. It has been acknowledged by the U.S. Census Bureau and U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics and consistently referenced by major media outlets.
Cost of living (including housing)
- Data source: Zillow Home Value Index (ZHVI), All Homes, (October 2024)
- The ZHVI is a gauge of the typical home value in a state across all homes in a state. Data encompasses over 100 million homes, including those under construction or not listed for sale, providing a comprehensive understanding of a housing market.
Healthcare
- Data source: United Health Foundation’s America's Health Rankings: Senior Report, Overall Senior Score (2024)
- This report assesses health and well-being outcomes for older adults by state. It examines 52 measures from 24 data sources.
Crime
- Data source: FBI Crime Data Explorer (CDE), National Incident-Based Reporting System (2023)
- The FBI CDE presents data collected by the Uniform Crime Reporting (UCR) Program, which gathers data from roughly 18,000 law enforcement agencies nationwide.
Temperature
- Data source: National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration National Centers for Environmental Information (November 2019 to October 2024)
- Uses average temperature from November 2019 to October 2024, a 60-month period.
Tax
- Data source: The Tax Foundation: State and Local Tax Burden (2023)
- Offers findings on effective tax rates for each state. Effective tax rates represent the percentage of taxable income paid in taxes, providing a holistic view of taxes paid in each state.
- Quality of life score: 15.2%
- Housing expense proportion: 14.9%
- Healthcare expenditure: 14.8%
- Crime rate: 14.8%
- Taxes share: 13.7%
- Total expense index: 13.6%
- Climate factor: 13.1%
Employing this data, our platform generates a final weighted score ranging from 0 to 100 for each state, assisting in determining the most suitable locations for retirement.
Sources
- Council for Community and Economic Research (2024). "State-Level Cost of Living Index (COLI)."
- Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) (2024). “FBI Crime Data Explorer.”
- National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) (2024). “Statewide Climate Rankings.”
- Sharecare (2022). "Sharecare Community Well-Being Index."
- Tax Foundation (2023). "State and Local Tax Burdens, Calendar Year 2022."
- United Health Foundation (2024). “America’s Health Rankings: Seniors.”
- Zillow (2024). "U.S. Home Values."
Our platform features a disclosure policy.
In light of the comprehensive ranking, it would be beneficial for retirees who prioritize finance to consider factors such as taxation and cost of living. For instance, states like New Hampshire and Iowa offer relatively low taxes, which can potentially help preserve retirement savings.
Furthermore, conducting research on the retirement preferences of others in the same age group can provide valuable insights. Understanding what aspects of retirement are most important to individuals can inform decisions about where to retire. Our Website's survey on this topic can be a useful starting point for such research.
