Bankrate, a financial services company based in New York City, recently released a report ranking the best and worst states for Americans to retire in. The report took into account various factors such as living costs, health care expenses, crime rates, and overall well-being to determine the most suitable locations for retirees.
According to Bankrate analyst Alex Gailey, affordability is a crucial factor for retirees, especially for those who feel behind on their retirement savings. Moving to a more affordable state could help stretch retirement savings in today's economy, Gailey advised.
The top five best states for retirement, as per Bankrate's report, are Delaware, West Virginia, Georgia, South Carolina, and Missouri. Delaware claimed the number one spot due to its high-quality health care, light tax burden, affordable homeowners insurance, and favorable weather. In contrast, West Virginia was commended for its affordability but was noted as the worst state for health care quality and costs.
On the other hand, the worst states for retirees, according to Bankrate, are North Dakota, California, Washington, New York, and Alaska. Alaska, in particular, ranked last for the second consecutive year due to its poor scores in affordability, health care quality and cost, weather, and crime rates.
If you are considering relocating for retirement, Bankrate suggested considering factors such as your financial situation, sense of community, cost of living, access to health care, tax rates, and climate. Making an informed decision about where to spend your golden years can significantly impact your quality of life and financial well-being.