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The 5 best states in America for retirement — and the 5 worst

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The 5 best states in America for retirement — and the 5 worst

WalletHub ranks the best and worst U.S. states for retirees, balancing affordability, healthcare, and lifestyle perks

ByBen Kesslen

Published 15 hours ago

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After decades of hard work, most Americans want a retirement that's comfortable, financially secure, and maybe a little fun. But for a large share of the population, that future feels out of reach.

According to a recent WalletHub survey, 50% of people don’t think it’s realistic for the average American to retire comfortably. That’s partly because nearly two in five Americans say they feel anxious when thinking about retirement, more than one-quarter don’t have a retirement plan, and 43% expect they’ll need to keep working indefinitely. On top of that, 53% believe paying off debt is a bigger priority than saving for retirement, and many expect to rely on family members for support in their later years.

With so much uncertainty, choosing where to live in retirement becomes an even more important decision. To help identify the best options, WalletHub compared all 50 states across dozens of metrics, including affordability, healthcare infrastructure, quality of life, and recreational opportunities.

“Retirement is supposed to be relaxing, but it can also be incredibly stressful given that it typically........

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