States were ranked by the personal finance website based on affordability (40%), overall well-being (25%), cost and quality of healthcare (20%), weather (10%) and crime (5%).
Key takeaways from the list, published July 22, are:
- Delaware took first place overall, moving up from second in 2023. It is a “tax-friendly state for retirees,” ranks well in diversity and has a temperate climate, according to Bankrate.
- Iowa dropped to ninth place from first place, mainly because of its affordability decreasing.
- The West is home to the three of the bottom five states, mostly because of the cost of living.
- Alaska was last place for the second year in a row because of affordability, healthcare and weather.
Here are the 10 best and 15 worst states, as ranked by Bankrate.
The best
1. Delaware
2. West Virginia
3. Georgia
4. South Carolina
5. Missouri
6. Mississippi
7. Pennsylvania
8. Florida
9. Iowa
10. Wyoming
The worst
1. Alaska
2. New York
3. Washington
4. California
5. North Dakota
6. Massachusetts
7. Colorado
8. Maryland
9. Texas
10. Minnesota
