Where to Retire
Compare all 50 states and top international destinations. We score each on tax friendliness, cost of living, climate, healthcare, and safety.
Top 10 States to Retire in 2026
#1
Florida
Home $395k · COL 100
94
#2
Tennessee
Home $315k · COL 90
92
#3
Arizona
Home $415k · COL 102
89
#4
Mississippi
Home $165k · COL 84
88
#5
Nevada
Home $425k · COL 101
88
#6
Pennsylvania
Home $275k · COL 98
88
#7
South Dakota
Home $265k · COL 95
88
#8
Wyoming
Home $335k · COL 96
88
#9
Georgia
Home $305k · COL 91
86
#10
South Carolina
Home $305k · COL 96
86
Least Retirement-Friendly States
Not necessarily bad — often high cost of living or high taxes. May still be right if you love the location.
International Retirement Destinations
Mexico
$1,800/mo budget · 1,500,000 US retirees
Portugal
$2,500/mo budget · 100,000 US retirees
Costa Rica
$2,000/mo budget · 120,000 US retirees
Panama
$2,200/mo budget · 30,000 US retirees
Ecuador
$1,500/mo budget · 30,000 US retirees
Spain
$2,800/mo budget · 40,000 US retirees
France
$3,200/mo budget · 15,000 US retirees
Italy
$2,600/mo budget · 20,000 US retirees
Malaysia
$1,800/mo budget · 5,000 US retirees
Thailand
$1,500/mo budget · 30,000 US retirees
All 50 States + DC
Alabama
Score 78
Alaska
Score 55
Arizona
Score 89
Arkansas
Score 74
California
Score 55
Colorado
Score 72
Connecticut
Score 45
Delaware
Score 82
District of Columbia
Score 62
Florida
Score 94
Georgia
Score 86
Hawaii
Score 72
Idaho
Score 78
Illinois
Score 68
Indiana
Score 74
Iowa
Score 82
Kansas
Score 60
Kentucky
Score 74
Louisiana
Score 76
Maine
Score 65
Maryland
Score 60
Massachusetts
Score 60
Michigan
Score 72
Minnesota
Score 55
Mississippi
Score 88
Missouri
Score 82
Montana
Score 65
Nebraska
Score 65
Nevada
Score 88
New Hampshire
Score 78
New Jersey
Score 72
New Mexico
Score 74
New York
Score 65
North Carolina
Score 82
North Dakota
Score 62
Ohio
Score 75
Oklahoma
Score 76
Oregon
Score 60
Pennsylvania
Score 88
Rhode Island
Score 58
South Carolina
Score 86
South Dakota
Score 88
Tennessee
Score 92
Texas
Score 85
Utah
Score 75
Vermont
Score 55
Virginia
Score 76
Washington
Score 82
West Virginia
Score 78
Wisconsin
Score 65
Wyoming
Score 88
Retirement Relocation data updated: July 21, 2026 · refresh cadence: annually