Best and Worst States for Retirement 2011: Complete List
Not content to only rank the 10 Best States for Retirement and the 10 Worst States for Retirement, MoneyRates.com has ranked all 50 states. Check below to see where your state ranked on the list, which was made in accordance with current data on economic factors, crime, climate and life expectancy.
For 2011, MoneyRates.com weighted these factors based on the results of a poll that asked readers to rank them in terms of importance for retirement. Based on reader responses, economics determined 47 percent of a state's final score, climate accounted for 33 percent, life expectancy determined 12 percent and crime accounted for 8 percent.
For more detailed information on the methods used to determine these rankings, please see the 2011 list of 10 Best States for Retirement.
Here are the full rankings for all 50 states:
1. Texas
2. Kentucky
3. Oklahoma
4. Iowa
5. Louisiana
6. Virginia
7. Mississippi
8. South Dakota
9. Tennessee
10. Kansas
11. Nebraska
12. Missouri
13. Hawaii
14. New Mexico
15. Illinois
16. North Dakota
17. Utah
18. Georgia
19. Arkansas
20. Wyoming
21. Pennsylvania
22. Alabama
23. New Hampshire
24. Indiana
25. Arizona
26. Delaware
27. Colorado
28. South Carolina
29. West Virginia
30. Florida
31. Montana
32. California
33. Idaho
34. North Carolina
35. Ohio
36. Vermont
37. Nevada
38. Minnesota
39. Oregon
40. New Jersey
41. Wisconsin
42. New York
43. Washington
44. Rhode Island
45. Maryland
46. Alaska
47. Connecticut
48. Massachusetts
49. Michigan
50. Maine
You can also compare this list with the 2010 rankings.
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Rates / APY terms above are current as of the date indicated. These quotes are from banks, credit unions and thrifts, some of which have paid for a link to their website. Bank, thrift and credit union deposits are insured by the FDIC or NCUA. Contact the bank for the terms and conditions that may apply to you. Rates are subject to change without notice and may not be the same at all branches.
Your responses to ‘Best and Worst States for Retirement 2011: Complete List’
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PS
23 November 2012 at 9:47 am
Iowa is NOT a great place to retire! I grew up there and am living there now. I will probably move. The rate for retirees making over $65000/yr is 9.8%!!! Who wants to give away 10% of their income to the state? The state also has raised property taxes every year during the past 5 years and taxes SS income. Bah humbug. Also, have a tornado shelter handy? Looking for someone to do some handyman work - with such a low unemployment good luck.
Joe M
24 June 2012 at 7:56 am
As a govt retiree from new york , my pension is exempt from ny state income tax if i had decided to retire there. States like Florida and Nevada have no income tax, so that can be a consideration. . New York city's culture and entertainment opportunities are among the best, but with even more tax burdens. Outside of the city presents fewer venues for entertainment and requires travel time . When a New Yorker retires to florida he is apt to experience culture shock . But South Florida's opporunities for entertainment and socialization are expansive, within its active senior retirement communities, and the flamboyant night life and music centers and clubs , especially in Fort Lauderdale and Miami. I chose to retire here for full time fun, and to travel to visit grandchildren.
raggtopp
9 May 2012 at 5:49 am
I agree with many of the comments that the ranking is skewed. A state ranked low for certain factors but within that state a city like mine North Myrtle Beach SC should be ranked about many of the best states. The climate on the coast is tempered by the ocean lower temp in summer, higher in winter. Lowest heat pump rates, gas taxes and property taxes around. For a retired person there is so much to do at no cost or no cost..etc..
JFranks
4 March 2012 at 12:10 pm
We retired to an island in Washington state from Wyoming. We've saved so much money by living here it's not even funny! Like Wyoming, we have no state income tax. But, Wyoming charges you an arm and a leg to license your car. Food is much cheaper here in Washington. Property taxes are extremely low. No sales tax on food, medications, utility bill, etc. Health insurance, as all insurance, is regulated by an insurance commissioner so it's been fair and reasonable. Our medical care is excellent. Many doctors move here because of the quality of life. Most hospitals are non-profit as is our health insurance. It's number one in my book!
Chris Blaine
9 February 2012 at 12:00 am
It seems the rankings are improperly skewed; many of the best states to "retire" have high crime, and low life expectancy, but get good rankings for good employment. I don't get it; I thought we were looking at the best places for us to retire. I don't want to get a job, or get mugged or killed during my retirement. States that had good weather and taxes or low crime and high life expectancy (things that I thought were retirement objectives) ranked low because I might not be able to get a job there??
dcbare
28 January 2012 at 1:43 pm
Alabama: Some of the lowest property taxes in the nation. No state property tax if you are 65, just city taxes. No tax on Social Security. No tax on military pension.Lots of military bases in Ala or near the border with other states. Never seen a rating better than #5. Tell me! What am I missing?
ejhickey
7 January 2012 at 2:01 pm
Illinois : the State's credit rating was just downgraded . the implications of this are a potential increase in taxes and decrease in government services. Also Illinois has a 2% sales tax on food and medicine whereas other states have none. Sales taxes in chicago and cook county are among the highest in the nation as are property taxes. as to weather , need I even mention chicago's winters? someone needs to rethink this list.
DONALD FOSS
28 November 2011 at 5:06 pm
THIS LIST LOOKS AS IF WRITTEN BY SOMEONE FROM THE MIDDLE EAST. HEAT, COLD , BAD WAEATHER AND FLAT LANDS. I COULD NOT BELIEVE ANY THOUGHT WENT INTO THIS EXCEPT MONEY
Dot
16 November 2011 at 7:21 pm
Really?? TN's problems are, but not limited to...rating very, very high in: violent crime, murders, corruption, animal abuse, substance abuse/illegal drug use, poverty, unemployment, school dropouts, depression/obesity/diabetes/cholesterol/cancer/infant mortality/dental neglect/allergies/# disabled, ozone levels,etc. NOT a good place to live!!
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