What Are the Best States for Retirees in 2026? All 50 Ranked
Wyoming is the best state for retirees in 2026 with a weighted score of 66.3/100, followed by Idaho (65.8) and South Dakota (64.8). Custom rankings weight health, fiscal health, affordability based on what this group cares about most.
By America's Dashboard · 8 sections · Figures from the latest public releases
Top 10 states for retirees
Rankings weighted toward low taxes, quality healthcare, affordable living, safety, community livability, and pleasant environment — the priorities for retirement years.
Wyoming leads the retirees rankings with a persona-weighted score of 66.3/100. Idaho (65.8) and South Dakota (64.8) round out the top three.
The gap between #1 and #10 is 4.5 points. What separates these states from the rest is consistent strength across the categories that matter most for retirees: health, fiscal health, affordability.
| Rank | State | Retirees Score | Health | Fiscal Health | Affordability |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | Wyoming | 66.3 | 51.4 | 79.4 | 76.5 |
| #2 | Idaho | 65.8 | 61.9 | 71.0 | 72.1 |
| #3 | South Dakota | 64.8 | 51.7 | 76.3 | 84.7 |
| #4 | North Dakota | 62.9 | 58.8 | 69.8 | 83.5 |
| #5 | Vermont | 62.8 | 75.1 | 51.1 | 55.7 |
| #6 | New Hampshire | 62.7 | 73.9 | 63.1 | 48.9 |
| #7 | Nebraska | 62.4 | 58.2 | 71.4 | 81.6 |
| #8 | Iowa | 62.3 | 60.3 | 66.0 | 86.3 |
| #9 | Maine | 62.1 | 57.6 | 57.0 | 56.9 |
| #10 | Montana | 61.8 | 58.9 | 59.5 | 68.9 |
#1: Wyoming
Wyoming leads the retirees rankings with a weighted score of 66.3/100. The state scores 51.4 in health, 79.4 in fiscal health, 76.5 in affordability. Overall rank: #2 (79.9/100, A+ grade). Median income: $75,532. Cost of living: 92.7.
Wyoming's weakest area for this ranking is growth at 42.5, but the weights for retirees put less emphasis on that category. Unemployment: 3.4%. Violent crime: 179.9/100K. Life expectancy: 76.8 years.
#2: Idaho
Idaho scores 65.8/100 for retirees, with strength in health (61.9) and fiscal health (71.0). The state ranks #4 overall and offers a cost of living index of 95.5 with a typical home value of $478,744.
Idaho's weakest area for this ranking is livability at 39.6, but the weights for retirees put less emphasis on that category. Unemployment: 3.7%. Violent crime: 217.3/100K. Life expectancy: 78.4 years.
#3: South Dakota
South Dakota scores 64.8/100 for retirees, with strength in health (51.7) and fiscal health (76.3). The state ranks #3 overall and offers a cost of living index of 88.6 with a typical home value of $321,574.
South Dakota's weakest area for this ranking is livability at 42.2, but the weights for retirees put less emphasis on that category. Unemployment: 2.1%. Violent crime: 307.5/100K. Life expectancy: 77.3 years.
#4: North Dakota
At #4, North Dakota scores 62.9/100. Health: 58.8. Fiscal Health: 69.8. Affordability: 83.5. Overall rank: #5. The state's affordability score of 83.5 is a standout.
North Dakota's weakest area for this ranking is environment at 38.5, but the weights for retirees put less emphasis on that category. Unemployment: 2.6%. Violent crime: 256.7/100K (the FBI's prior-year estimate; its latest year there is based on limited data). Life expectancy: 77.9 years.
#5: Vermont
At #5, Vermont scores 62.8/100. Health: 75.1. Fiscal Health: 51.1. Affordability: 55.7. Overall rank: #8. The state's safety score of 77.7 is a standout.
Vermont's weakest area for this ranking is growth at 29.9, but the weights for retirees put less emphasis on that category. Unemployment: 2.7%. Violent crime: 214.4/100K. Life expectancy: 78.3 years.
How these rankings differ from overall rankings
Our overall state rankings use fixed weights led by economy (15%) and safety, health, and education (12% each). Retirees rankings shift the emphasis to what this group cares about most: fiscal health (20%), health (20%), affordability (18%). Categories like education and growth carry zero weight.
This means a state can rank poorly overall but well for retirees if its strengths align with the weighted categories. Wyoming ranks #2 overall but #1 for retirees — in this case, both rankings agree.
States to avoid for retirees
The bottom of the retirees rankings: Louisiana (42.5), California (44.5), Mississippi (45.1). Lower scores in health and fiscal health are the primary reasons.
Louisiana scores 42.5/100 with health at 29.9, fiscal health at 43.1, affordability at 88.7. These aren't necessarily bad states — they just don't align well with what retirees prioritize.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best state for retirees in 2026?
Wyoming ranks #1 for retirees in 2026 with a weighted score of 66.3/100, followed by Idaho (65.8) and South Dakota (64.8). The ranking weights categories that matter most to retirees: fiscal health (20%), health (20%), affordability (18%). Wyoming scores 51.4 in health, 79.4 in fiscal health, 76.5 in affordability. The gap between #1 and #10 is 4.5 points, showing meaningful differences in how well states serve this lifestyle.
What categories matter most for retirees?
The top-weighted categories for retirees are fiscal health (20%), health (20%), affordability (18%). Categories like education and growth carry zero weight because they are less relevant to this specific lifestyle profile. This means a state can rank poorly overall but well for retirees if its strengths align with the weighted categories. The weighting reflects real-world priorities — different life stages and lifestyles genuinely value different things, and a one-size-fits-all ranking can miss important nuances.
How do retirees rankings differ from overall rankings?
Our overall state rankings use a standard weighting across all 11 categories. Retirees rankings shift the emphasis to what this group cares about most: fiscal health (20%), health (20%), affordability (18%). This means a state that ranks #1 overall might rank significantly lower for retirees if its strengths don't align with the weighted categories, and vice versa. Wyoming ranks #2 overall but #1 for retirees — in this case, both rankings agree.
Which state ranks worst for retirees?
Louisiana ranks last for retirees with a score of 42.5/100, primarily due to low health (29.9) and fiscal health (43.1) scores. California (44.5) and Mississippi (45.1) also rank near the bottom. These aren't necessarily bad states overall — they just don't align well with what retirees prioritize. A state that ranks poorly for one lifestyle may rank well for another, depending on which categories are weighted.
Can I customize these rankings for my own priorities?
Our retirees rankings use a specific weighting that reflects typical priorities for this lifestyle. While we don't offer fully customizable weights on the site, you can use our state comparison tool at /compare to evaluate any two states side by side across all 11 categories. For a more tailored analysis, look at individual category rankings at /rankings — if you care most about safety and education, compare those specific rankings. Our city-level data at /cities also provides more granular information for 1,312 cities, including every city of 50,000 or more. For households focused on finances, the affordability calculator at /affordability lets you model costs for specific income levels.