Where is the best place for 55 and older to live?

Asked by: Nona Berge  |  Last update: March 9, 2026
Score: 5/5 (61 votes)

Florida, Colorado, and Virginia rank as the top three states for retiring seniors, according to WalletHub.1 In a recent study, they compared all states based on 46 indicators in three key categories: Affordability, which includes tax benefits, cost of living, and more.

What is the best state for 55 plus communities?

Here are our top choices:
  • Florida is a tax-friendly, affordable state to retire in.
  • Colorado is a great state to retire in if you want to stay active outdoors.
  • Virginia has access to great hospitals with no social security income tax.
  • Delaware offers low income taxes and no state or local sales tax.

Where is the safest and most affordable place to retire?

Read on to explore the cities with the most affordable housing that notched highly on the U.S. News 2024 Best Places to Retire ranking.
  • Lexington, Kentucky.
  • Oklahoma City.
  • Omaha, Nebraska.
  • Montgomery, Alabama.
  • Davenport, Iowa.
  • Green Bay, Wisconsin.
  • Hickory, North Carolina.
  • Wichita, Kansas.

Where is the best place to live for 55 and over?

San Antonio, Texas was ranked the best city for people 55 and older in a new survey, followed by Houston and Dallas. Charlotte, North Carolina rounded out the top ten.

Where do the happiest seniors live?

Top 20 Happiest Cities to Retire
  1. Barnstable, MA. Coming in at the top of the happiest cities to retire in the U.S. list is Barnstable. ...
  2. Naples, FL. Those who want to live by the water and enjoy warmer weather can head south to Naples. ...
  3. Ann Arbor, MI. ...
  4. Durham, NC. ...
  5. Boulder, CO. ...
  6. North Port, FL. ...
  7. Olympia, WA. ...
  8. San Jose, CA.

Avoid Living In A 55 Plus Community - Problems In Adult Retirement Communities - Don’t Buy 55+

44 related questions found

What state is best for seniors on social security?

9 Best States to Retire
  • Delaware. Delaware offers a comfortable environment for retirees, boasting a moderate climate that experiences all four seasons without any extremes. ...
  • Georgia. Georgia is a compelling choice for retirees seeking a diverse and enriching lifestyle. ...
  • Maryland. ...
  • New Jersey. ...
  • Pennsylvania. ...
  • South Carolina.

Where should I be financially at 55?

Someone between the ages of 51 and 55 should have 5.3 times their current salary saved for retirement. Someone between the ages of 56 and 60 should have 6.9 times their current salary saved for retirement. Someone between the ages of 61 and 64 should have 8.5 times their current salary saved for retirement.

Where should I live to start over?

Raleigh, North Carolina, is the best city for a fresh start.

Raleigh is a top option for anyone who enjoys spending time outside but still wants to live near a city. Of the 50 metro areas we compared, it has the second-highest number of walking trails per capita and third-highest number of good air quality days.

Is it worth it to live in a 55 community?

Making the decision to move into a 55+ community can be a great choice if you're looking for a quieter lifestyle in a neighborhood full of people who are close to your age. The homes are designed with aging in mind and you'll find many amenities to help you stay active.

Where can I retire on $500 a month?

Thailand. Is it possible to retire in Thailand and keep the costs in check? Certainly! It's another top choice for digital nomads with an achievable $500 monthly budget, focusing on affordable accommodation.

What is the cheapest and safest state to live in?

Here are some of the cheapest and safest places to live in the US!
  • Live in Boise, Idaho.
  • Affordable living in Des Moines, Iowa.
  • Winston Salem, North Carolina: among the cheapest cities in USA.
  • Live affordably in Naples, Florida.
  • Enjoy Lexington, Kentucky.

What state is best financially to retire in?

A: The best state to retire in 2024 is sunny Florida, thanks to its relative affordability and high quality of life for seniors. That's followed by Colorado, Virginia, and Delaware. Q: What state has the lowest cost of living for retirees? A: Alabama ranks as the most affordable state to retire in.

What are the disadvantages of living in a 55 plus community?

What Are the Cons of a 55+ Community?
  • Lack of diversity. Since at least one household member typically needs to be over 55, most of the people in the community will be your age or older.
  • Less privacy. ...
  • Costs can add up. ...
  • No health care. ...
  • Harder to sell. ...
  • Younger family members might be restricted.

What is the happiest state to retire in?

The results

The top two states to retire in according to our formula are — drumroll please — Alaska and New Hampshire!

Where is everyone moving to in 2024?

The Brief. West Virginia, Delaware, and South Carolina saw the highest percentage of inbound migration in 2024. New Jersey, Illinois and New York had the highest outbound migration, with many leaving for retirement or to be closer to family.

Where is the easiest place to start a new life?

Where should I move to start over?
  • #1: Raleigh, North Carolina.
  • #2: Austin, Texas.
  • #3: Virginia Beach, Virginia.
  • #4: Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.
  • #5: Charlotte, North Carolina.
  • #6: Jacksonville, Florida.
  • #7: Salt Lake City, Utah.
  • #8: Richmond, Virginia.

Which state is worth moving to?

Topping the list was Massachusetts. "Massachusetts is the best state to live in, due in large part to its strong health care system and high-quality education," said WalletHub Analyst Cassandra Happe in a statement.

What is the rule of 55?

The rule of 55 is an IRS provision that allows you to withdraw money from your 401(k) or other qualified retirement plan without the 10% early withdrawal penalty if you leave your job in or after the year you turn 55.

What is the 50 30 20 rule?

Those will become part of your budget. The 50-30-20 rule recommends putting 50% of your money toward needs, 30% toward wants, and 20% toward savings. The savings category also includes money you will need to realize your future goals.

How much money should a 55 year old have?

Retirement Savings When You're in Your 50s & Beyond

Suggested savings: The general guidelines recommend having eight times your annual salary saved by 60. The median income for a 55-year-old is about $63,000, which means having $506,600 saved for retirement. The average savings for those 55-65 is $256,244.

What is the cheapest state to live in when you retire?

According to the Missouri Economic Research and Information Center, the lowest overall costs of living were found in Mississippi, Oklahoma, Kansas, Alabama, and West Virginia: Cheapest states to retire.

What is the most tax-friendly state to live in?

  • Alaska. #1 in Low Tax Burden. #45 in Best States Overall. ...
  • Florida. #2 in Low Tax Burden. #9 in Best States Overall. ...
  • South Dakota. #3 in Low Tax Burden. ...
  • Wyoming. #4 in Low Tax Burden. ...
  • Tennessee. #5 in Low Tax Burden. ...
  • New Hampshire. #6 in Low Tax Burden. ...
  • Texas. #7 in Low Tax Burden. ...
  • Oklahoma. #8 in Low Tax Burden.

Where do the healthiest seniors live?

Key Takeaways

According to the Milken Institute's Center for the Future of Aging, the best cities for successful aging are clustered in Utah and Iowa, among other places. Other stand-out cities for retirees include Madison, Wisconsin, and Durham-Chapel Hill, North Carolina.