The best and worst US states to retire in, ranked
A WalletHub study ranked US states for retirement based on affordability, quality of life, and healthcare. Wyoming and Florida were identified as the top states, while Kentucky was ranked as the least favorable for retirees.
Why it matters
The ranking provides a data-driven framework for retirees making significant life decisions regarding relocation and financial planning.
The Villages, Florida. felixmizioznikov/Getty Images WalletHub ranked the best US states for retirees in 2026. Its report compared affordability, quality of life, and healthcare across states. Wyoming and Florida topped the list, while Kentucky ranked last. Retirement is full of decisions, and the state you choose to retire in could be the most important one. A recent WalletHub study pitted the 50 states against one another across three main categories — affordability, quality of life, and healthcare — to determine the best places for retirement. The three factors were assessed using 46 different metrics. To determine a state's affordability, metrics such as adjusted cost of living and retired taxpayer-friendliness were considered.
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