Introduction to the Study
If you're planning to retire but not interested in Florida, financial analysts have compiled a study on the best U.S. states for retirement.
Personal finance company WalletHub has released a research summary identifying the top states for retirement in 2025.
Although Florida continues to be a favored retirement destination, the study points out that four other states—one Midwestern and three Western—are also suitable locations.
Study Methodology
The study, titled Best and Worst States to Retire, focuses on three main categories: affordability, quality of life, and health care.
It incorporates 46 relevant metrics, with heavy emphasis on the senior citizen population per state and adjusted living costs.
Top States Overview
The Sunshine State still holds the position as the best state for retirement, but the other top four states might come as a surprise.
Analysts determined that Minnesota's health resources make it an appealing retirement state.
Details on Minnesota
Minnesota has the highest number of health care facilities, the second-most nursing homes, and the third-most home health care aides per capita, according to the study.
Its geriatric hospitals rank as the fifth-best in the nation.
Thanks to these strong health care conditions, Minnesota has the third-lowest percentage of seniors with disabilities, the fourth-lowest with poor mental health, and the fifth-highest percentage in good physical health.
Details on Colorado
WalletHub indicates that Colorado supports retirees' physical and mental health well, and it lacks state and inheritance taxes.
The state has one of the lowest rates of social isolation for seniors and the 10th-best geriatric hospitals in the country.
It also features the fourth-highest percentage of seniors in good health and the third-highest percentage who are physically active.
Details on Wyoming and South Dakota
Researchers found Wyoming ranks highly for quality of life and affordability, though it scores relatively low on health care.
South Dakota, in contrast, has slightly above-average quality of life and affordability but rates highly on health care.
