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New Study: This Is the Best State to Retire In (Hint: It’s Colder Than You Would Expect)

Finding the best place to retire is an important life decision that shouldn’t be taken lightly. There are so many aspects to consider, from weather to affordability to safety. A new survey by Bankrate has revealed the best and worst states to retire, ranking all 50 based on key factors that matter most to retirees. Whether you’re dreaming of sunny beaches or peaceful mountain towns, this list helps pinpoint the states that offer the most—and least—retirement-friendly conditions. Read on to learn which state earned the top retirement spot for 2025 and see if it sounds like the place you’d like to spend your golden years.

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How was the study conducted?

Bankrate compared all 50 states across the following eight categories: affordability, weather, safety, health care, taxes, arts and entertainment, people of a similar age and miscellaneous/other. Each category was weighted according to responses from a public opinion poll of 2,260 U.S. adults that asked people what they considered to be most important when choosing a place to retire. The survey also used various trusted government sources for metrics, including the U.S. Census, the Environmental Protection Agency and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

Which state is the best for retirees?

The top state for retirees, according to Bankrate’s data, is New Hampshire. While you may think of Florida beaches and Arizona deserts as the typical best spots to retire, this New England state earned the No. 1 ranking, despite its colder weather.

Why does New Hampshire rank No. 1?

While the Granite State got low points for weather (ranking No. 40!), it took the top spot in the survey for a few key reasons, including:

Superior neighborhood safety

New Hampshire ranked No. 1 for neighborhood safety, which is a key reason it scored the top spot on Bankrate’s overall list. The reason? According to Stephen Kates, a certified financial planner and Bankrate financial analyst, safety is a big concern for retirees, who are generally more susceptible to being targeted for property crime, as they may be less physically able to deter it.

“Feeling safe at home is important to everyone, but our survey of Americans’ priorities when choosing a retirement destination shows that safety is one of the top considerations,” he explains. “New Hampshire is one of the safest states in the country, based on its low rates of both property and violent crime.”

Great health care

Another big reason New Hampshire topped the list is because it ranks No. 5 in the nation for health care. “The state excels in several areas, including a low percentage of uninsured residents, a high number of primary care providers relative to the population, and one of the lowest rates of avoided care due to cost,” Kates says. “As a smaller northern state, it also enjoys more uniformity in health care access and quality than many larger southern states.”

High population of people of a similar age

New Hampshire has a robust aging population, ranking seventh out of all 50 states for a high percentage of older adults. “Retirees want to be active in a community and spend time with people who are like them and share similar experiences,” Kates says. “Living among people of a similar age is one reason retirees flock to Florida and Arizona—New Hampshire tends to fly under the radar in this regard.”

Which other states ranked in the top 10 for retirees?

New Hampshire wasn’t the only New England state that’s attractive to retirees. Here is the top 10 list of places that ranked as the best:

  1. New Hampshire

  2. Maine

  3. Wyoming

  4. Vermont

  5. Idaho

  6. Rhode Island

  7. West Virginia

  8. Wisconsin

  9. Utah

  10. Virginia

Which states ranked in the bottom 10 for retirees?

The list of least desirable states for retirees was filled with Sun Belt destinations, showing that great weather may not be enough to make a state attractive for the golden years of life. Here’s the list of states that ranked the worst for retirees:

  1. Louisiana

  2. Texas

  3. Oklahoma

  4. Arkansas

  5. Nebraska

  6. Alabama

  7. Kansas

  8. California

  9. New Mexico

  10. Florida

Why are retirees opting for New England over Sun Belt states?

Kates expects New England states to continue to be popular among retirees, but he says the Sun Belt states shouldn’t be discounted because of Bankrate’s survey. “The Sun Belt states will maintain their reputation as prime retirement destinations,” he says. “Many people prioritize warm weather and the lifestyle of large retirement communities. With thousands of Americans retiring each day, there are more than enough seniors to go around.”

As Gen X and millennials begin their transition into retirement, these trends may also evolve, along with individual states’ popularity or lack thereof, Kates adds. Because Bankrate’s best and worst states are driven by public opinion in how the various categories are weighted, there can be a lot of variance from year to year. For instance, last year’s rankings show that New Hampshire didn’t make the top five, while South Carolina, which ranked 11th worst in 2025, was actually the fourth best state to retire in 2024.

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About the experts

  • Stephen Kates is a certified financial planner and a financial analyst for Bankrate. He has 15 years of experience in the financial industry, providing insights on economic trends, wealth management, retirement planning and personal finance.

Why trust us

At Reader’s Digest, we’re committed to producing high-quality content by writers with expertise and experience in their field in consultation with relevant, qualified experts. We rely on reputable primary sources, including government and professional organizations and academic institutions as well as our writers’ personal experiences where appropriate. We verify all facts and data, back them with credible sourcing and revisit them over time to ensure they remain accurate and up to date. Read more about our team, our contributors and our editorial policies.

Sources:

  • Bankrate.com: “America’s best states to retire in 2025: New Hampshire takes the top spot”
  • Stephen Kates, certified financial planner and financial analyst for Bankrate

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