US EditionIs Iowa a Good Place to Retire? See Why This Finance Website Thinks So
Wyoming tops WalletHub's 2026 retirement rankings due to low taxes and affordable care; Kentucky ranks worst across affordability, quality of life, and health care.
- On Jan. 27, 2026 WalletHub released a new analysis comparing all 50 states across 46 measures including affordability, quality of life and health care, ranking Wyoming first, Florida second and South Dakota third.
- Using 46 individual metrics, WalletHub weighted each on a 100-point scale and adjusted some for population to rank states by affordability, quality of life and health care, showing location affects retirement savings.
- California's tax and cost profile explains its poor showing with the highest top income tax rate, a 1% mental health tax, and high housing and care costs, while New Jersey retirees face 2.23% property taxes and a 10.75% state income tax on retirement income above exclusions.
- Advisers say clients are relocating to lower-cost states like Texas, Florida and Nevada as Bay Area retiree Maureen Spranza returned to work last year after premiums jumped from $21 to $1,100 and she faced a $20,000 roof repair.
- Nearly two-thirds of non-retired adults say their retirement savings are not on track, while estate tax exemption $13.99 million raises stakes for wealth transfer and planning.
11 Articles
11 Articles
Retirees Beware: The 8 Worst States for Taxes on Your Nest Egg in 2026
Making the decision about where to spend your retirement can, unsurprisingly, have a pretty dramatic impact on how long your savings will last. While most financial planning focuses solely on the accumulation aspect, it isn’t the only consideration. Quick Read New Jersey homeowners pay over $9,500 annually in property taxes at 2.23%, more than 10 times Alabama’s rate on similar homes. California’s 13.3% income tax is the nation’s highest and …
These states rank as the best places to retire in 2026, data suggests
With nearly two-thirds of non-retired adults worried their savings won’t last, a new WalletHub study finds that where Americans retire can significantly affect their financial security and quality of life.
California ranks among worst states to retire in. Here’s why
Maureen Spranza marked her retirement with a party in August 2024. By December of 2025, the 60-year-old was back at work, “un-retiring” as rising costs made retirement unaffordable. She now holds three jobs. Moving from celebration to working six days a week was difficult and disappointing, she said, and meant putting personal projects and creative pursuits on hold — like writing a book. It was a tough but necessary call — and one that reflects…
PA Among Best States To Retire In
Pennsylvania is one of the best state’s to retire in. That’s according to a new WalletHub study, which ranked the best and worst states to retire in 2026 based off of factors such as affordability, quality of life, health care, and fun activities. Pennsylvania was ranked as the eighth best state to retire in, scoring its highest marks in quality of life. The top state to retire in was Wyoming and the worst was Kentucky.
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