What Are the Best States for Retirees in 2026? All 50 Ranked
New Hampshire is the best state for retirees in 2026 with a weighted score of 68.0/100, followed by Vermont (68.0) and Maine (66.6). Custom rankings weight health, fiscal health, affordability based on what this group cares about most.
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.
New Hampshire leads the retirees rankings with a persona-weighted score of 68.0/100. Vermont (68.0) and Maine (66.6) round out the top three.
The gap between #1 and #10 is 4.9 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 | New Hampshire | 68.0 | 100.0 | 63.1 | 44.3 |
| #2 | Vermont | 68.0 | 95.9 | 51.1 | 54.4 |
| #3 | Maine | 66.6 | 79.6 | 57.0 | 56.9 |
| #4 | South Dakota | 65.8 | 53.1 | 76.3 | 84.5 |
| #5 | Nebraska | 64.8 | 71.4 | 71.4 | 82.8 |
| #6 | Wyoming | 64.7 | 46.9 | 79.4 | 72.4 |
| #7 | Idaho | 64.3 | 55.1 | 71.0 | 73.4 |
| #8 | North Dakota | 64.0 | 65.3 | 69.8 | 84.7 |
| #9 | Minnesota | 63.9 | 89.8 | 59.2 | 62.9 |
| #10 | Utah | 63.1 | 91.8 | 71.4 | 65.0 |
#1: New Hampshire
New Hampshire leads the retirees rankings with a weighted score of 68.0/100. The state scores 100.0 in health, 63.1 in fiscal health, 44.3 in affordability. Overall rank: #1 (87.8/100, A+ grade). Median income: $97,880. Cost of living: 105.
New Hampshire's weakest area for this ranking is outdoor access at 43.0, but the weights for retirees put less emphasis on that category. Unemployment: 2.8%. Violent crime: 110/100K. Life expectancy: 79.2 years.
#2: Vermont
Vermont scores 68.0/100 for retirees, with strength in health (95.9) and fiscal health (51.1). The state ranks #3 overall and offers a cost of living index of 97 with $388,000 median homes.
Vermont's weakest area for this ranking is growth at 30.2, but the weights for retirees put less emphasis on that category. Unemployment: 2.7%. Violent crime: 208/100K. Life expectancy: 79.4 years.
#3: Maine
Maine scores 66.6/100 for retirees, with strength in health (79.6) and fiscal health (57.0). The state ranks #5 overall and offers a cost of living index of 97 with $381,000 median homes.
Maine's weakest area for this ranking is outdoor access at 45.0, but the weights for retirees put less emphasis on that category. Unemployment: 3.2%. Violent crime: 100/100K. Life expectancy: 78.7 years.
#4: South Dakota
At #4, South Dakota scores 65.8/100. Health: 53.1. Fiscal Health: 76.3. Affordability: 84.5. Overall rank: #2. The state's education score of 89.8 is a standout.
South Dakota's weakest area for this ranking is outdoor access at 45.8, but the weights for retirees put less emphasis on that category. Unemployment: 2%. Violent crime: 330/100K. Life expectancy: 78.5 years.
#5: Nebraska
At #5, Nebraska scores 64.8/100. Health: 71.4. Fiscal Health: 71.4. Affordability: 82.8. Overall rank: #8. The state's education score of 83.7 is a standout.
Nebraska's weakest area for this ranking is outdoor access at 22.0, but the weights for retirees put less emphasis on that category. Unemployment: 2.8%. Violent crime: 290/100K. Life expectancy: 78.8 years.
How these rankings differ from overall rankings
Our overall state rankings weight all categories equally. 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. New Hampshire ranks #1 overall but #1 for retirees — in this case, both rankings agree.
States to avoid for retirees
The bottom of the retirees rankings: Louisiana (35.6), Arkansas (39.7), Mississippi (40.7). Lower scores in health and fiscal health are the primary reasons.
Louisiana scores 35.6/100 with health at 0.0, fiscal health at 43.1, affordability at 90.8. These aren't necessarily bad states — they just don't align well with what retirees prioritize.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q:What is the best state for retirees in 2026?
New Hampshire ranks #1 for retirees in 2026 with a weighted score of 68.0/100, followed by Vermont (68.0) and Maine (66.6). The ranking weights categories that matter most to retirees: fiscal health (20%), health (20%), affordability (18%). New Hampshire scores 100.0 in health, 63.1 in fiscal health, 44.3 in affordability. The gap between #1 and #10 is 4.9 points, showing meaningful differences in how well states serve this lifestyle.
Q: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.
Q: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. New Hampshire ranks #1 overall but #1 for retirees — in this case, both rankings agree.
Q:Which state ranks worst for retirees?
Louisiana ranks last for retirees with a score of 35.6/100, primarily due to low health (0.0) and fiscal health (43.1) scores. Arkansas (39.7) and Mississippi (40.7) 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.
Q: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 the 1,000 largest cities. For households focused on finances, the affordability calculator at /affordability lets you model costs for specific income levels.