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FILE-A couple ride their bicycles through a neighborhood. (Photo by Robert Alexander/Getty Images)

Retirement is a goal that most Americans look forward to after years of service at a job. Once you reach this stage in life, the burden of worrying about work commutes or tasks to manage at the office is a distant memory. 

Depending on how you’re planning to bask in the freedom of spending your days the way you want, there are certain regions of the country that offer optimal enjoyment for retirees, according to a new Bankrate study. 

Best and worst states for retirees in 2025

Why you should care: The New York-based financial services company compiled its ranking of the best and worst states for retirement by comparing all 50 states across 15 data points and eight categories: affordability, weather, safety, health care, taxes, arts and entertainment, people of a similar age, and miscellaneous/other. Researchers polled 2,260 people which took place between May 14-16, 2025, by YouGov Plc.

Researchers also collected data for the report from the U.S. Census, the Council for Community and Economic Research, the Environmental Protection Agency, and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

Best states for retirement

1. New Hampshire
2. Maine
3. Wyoming
4. Vermont
5. Idaho
6. Rhode Island
7. West Virginia
8. Wisconsin
9. Utah
10. Virginia

Worst states for retirement

1. Louisiana
2. Texas
3. Oklahoma
4. Arkansas
5. Nebraska
6. Alabama
7. Kansas
8. California
9. New Mexico
10. Florida

Analysis of top states for retirement

Dig deeper:

New Hampshire, Maine, Wyoming, Vermont, and Idaho are the top five states for retirement this year, and here’s what researchers are saying about the data.

New Hampshire

New Hampshire secured the number one ranking as the best state for retirees as it earned marks in several top categories evaluated in the study, like neighborhood safety, health care, local taxes, people of a similar age, miscellaneous/other categories, and arts, entertainment, and recreation establishments. Bankrate noted that the state has a combination of an affordable lifestyle and an adequate quality of life when it comes to safety, health care, and the arts.