Best States to Retire in 2026: Choosing a state for retirement isn’t only about finding warm weather or living close to the beach. For many older Americans, the bigger question is how far their retirement money will go and whether good healthcare will be nearby.
Housing costs, taxes, medical care, safety and everyday expenses can all change a retirement budget. WalletHub’s 2026 study compared all 50 states using 46 different measures linked to affordability, quality of life and healthcare. Based on that study, Wyoming ranked first, followed closely by Florida and South Dakota.
The results also show why there isn’t one perfect state for every retiree. A person who wants low taxes may have different needs from someone who cares more about hospitals, activities or climate.
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Top States to Retire in 2026
| Rank | State | Overall Score | Affordability Rank | Quality of Life Rank | Health Care Rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Wyoming | 61.56 | 1 | 6 | 33 |
| 2 | Florida | 61.55 | 2 | 1 | 27 |
| 3 | South Dakota | 58.69 | 15 | 25 | 4 |
| 4 | Colorado | 58.37 | 19 | 19 | 3 |
| 5 | Minnesota | 58.29 | 33 | 7 | 1 |
| 6 | Alaska | 57.90 | 13 | 34 | 5 |
| 7 | Delaware | 57.35 | 3 | 36 | 15 |
| 8 | Pennsylvania | 56.85 | 26 | 5 | 13 |
| 9 | New Hampshire | 56.40 | 23 | 8 | 20 |
| 10 | Iowa | 56.26 | 17 | 11 | 28 |
Wyoming
Wyoming takes the top spot in WalletHub’s 2026 list. One major reason is affordability. The state ranked No. 1 for affordability in the study. It also has no individual state income tax, which can be useful for retirees who depend on several types of income. Tax Foundation’s 2026 data lists Wyoming with no individual income tax.
WalletHub also found that Wyoming has a low violent crime rate and relatively low costs for homemaker services. The state also scored well on measures linked to elder protection and retirement finances.
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Florida
Florida is almost tied with Wyoming in the overall score and ranks first for quality of life in WalletHub’s study. It can also be attractive to retirees because Florida has no individual state income tax.
The warm climate, large older population and wide range of outdoor activities make Florida a long-time retirement destination. Still, retirees need to look beyond state income taxes. Home insurance, property costs and local housing prices can make a big difference to the final budget.
South Dakota
South Dakota ranks third overall but does particularly well in healthcare. WalletHub placed it fourth among all states for healthcare in its 2026 study.
The state also has no individual state income tax. That can make it useful for retirees who want to keep more of their retirement income.
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Colorado and Minnesota
Colorado comes fourth in the 2026 WalletHub list and ranks third for healthcare. Its mix of medical access, outdoor recreation and quality-of-life measures helps it perform well overall.
Minnesota ranks fifth overall and first for healthcare in WalletHub’s table. It also ranks seventh for quality of life. However, its state income tax rates can be much higher than in states such as Wyoming or Florida. Tax Foundation lists Minnesota’s 2026 individual income tax rates as ranging from 5.35% to 9.85%.
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What Retirees Should Check Before Moving
A retirement state may look cheap on paper but still become expensive after housing, insurance and healthcare are added.
- State taxes: Look at taxes on pensions, IRA and 401(k) withdrawals, investment income and Social Security. State rules aren’t the same everywhere.
- Housing costs: A low-tax state can still have expensive homes, property taxes, HOA fees or insurance.
- Healthcare: Check how close hospitals, doctors, specialists and long-term care services are to the area where you plan to live.
- Daily expenses: Groceries, utilities, transportation and home services matter because these bills continue throughout retirement.
- Safety and lifestyle: Crime levels, outdoor options, entertainment and access to friends or family can affect retirement just as much as money.
WalletHub says it used 46 measures and grouped them into affordability, quality of life and healthcare when creating its 2026 ranking. Other 2026 studies can give different results because they use different factors. A Forbes analysis, for example, looked at nearly 1,000 locations and included housing, taxes, healthcare, crime, air quality and natural hazard risk.
That difference is important. A state that ranks highly overall may still not be the right fit for a retiree with a tight budget or specific medical needs. As WalletHub analyst Chip Lupo put it, “Retirement is supposed to be relaxing,” but fixed incomes can make costs a major concern.
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FAQs
1. Which state is ranked No. 1 for retirement in 2026?
Wyoming is No. 1 in WalletHub’s 2026 ranking. Florida is second and South Dakota is third.
2. Which states have no individual income tax in 2026?
States including Wyoming, Florida, South Dakota, Alaska and New Hampshire don’t have an individual state income tax in 2026.
3. Is Florida a good retirement state in 2026?
Florida remains highly ranked and came second in WalletHub’s 2026 study. However, retirees should also consider housing, insurance and other local costs before moving.
