SmartAsset’s latest analysis uncovers the worst U.S. states to retire in. It shines the spotlight on a handful of states mostly situated in the South and the West. Oklahoma, Arkansas, Nebraska, Alabama, Kansas, California, New Mexico and Florida fill out the bottom of the list for overall retirement desirability. Criteria leading to these rankings include fundamentals like the weather, tax friendliness, and economic solidity.
Oklahoma fared especially poorly in their overall score. According to the state’s own commission, the state has established barriers that could scare away retirees. Only Arkansas and Nebraska have done worse. In addition to economic pressures, they bear the quality of life burdens that are increasingly important to as many as 50 million Americans who seek the second act of a quiet retirement.
Alabama and Kansas rank equally low on this measure, largely for their lack of resources and chance to retirees. A concern shared by most people considering retirement is their ability to access healthcare. In addition, they view the state’s recreational opportunities and quality of life as important draws. Unfortunately, these states do not live up to the hype for many would-be retirees.
Just about everyone can agree that California and Florida are among the most popular destinations for retirees. This analysis illustrates that they rank low when it comes to overall desirability. California’s vast size contributes to varying conditions across the state, which can lead to discrepancies in quality of life and cost of living.
Florida’s dismal rank in part comes from the state’s weather, frequently ruined by hurricanes and other calamities. Stephen Kates, an expert in retirement trends, noted that “natural disasters really degraded the scores of almost every state across the Gulf. Texas, Florida — even states that you really think about as primary retirement destinations.” This sentiment reflects the profound effect climate has on retirement choices.
Even in Texas, the sunny new home of so many retirees, things aren’t going so well. Ranking 39th in the country just for weather, Texas usually takes the cake for all other natural disasters. Kates emphasizes, “They didn’t do as well in the weather category because of their propensity to have hurricanes and other natural disasters.”
At the opposite end of the spectrum is Wyoming, ranked the most tax-friendly state for retirees. It provides a supportive ecosystem that puts a commitment to economic security first. Louisiana had ranked No. 47 in the weather category, making its positioning for retirees even trickier. Both Louisiana and Oklahoma can afford to be less rosy—or more realistic, if you ask people walking the beat—when it comes to drawing retirees.
Kates further elaborated on the complexity of choosing a retirement location: “It’s a lot more than just putting a pin on the map and saying, ‘This is the place.’” He made the point that even within the megastates like California or Texas, your experience can vary greatly depending on where you live.
“It’s a lot more than just putting a pin on the map and saying, ‘This is the place,’” Kates stated.
The findings serve as a reminder for those considering retirement options to carefully evaluate various factors that contribute to overall quality of life. Even states that appear to be ideal retirement destinations on the surface come with hidden pitfalls that are bound to affect a retiree’s quality of life.