10 best, worst states to retire

Florida is the best state to retire in, while Kentucky ranks as the worst, according to WalletHub's 2025 rankings.

For the rankings, published Jan. 27, the personal finance website compared the 50 states across three dimensions: affordability, quality of life and healthcare. 

Analysts evaluated these dimensions using 46 metrics, ranging from adjusted cost of living to life expectancy.

Each metric was graded on a 100-point scale, with 100 representing the most favorable conditions for retirement. Each state's overall score was then based on the weighted average across all metrics. More information about the methodology is available here.

The best states to retire, according to the analysis:

1. Florida

2. Minnesota 

3. Colorado 

4. Wyoming

5. South Dakota

6. Pennsylvania

7. New Hampshire

8. Delaware

9. North Dakota

10. Wisconsin

The worst states to retire, according to the analysis:

1. Kentucky

2. Louisiana

3. Mississippi

4. Washington

5. New Mexico

6. New Jersey

7. Rhode Island

8. West Virginia

9. Arkansas

10. Hawaii



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