Best and Worst States for Retirement

Retirements.com provided the following lists using climate, taxation and the state’s financial health as criteria:

Ten WORST states for retirement:
50. Illinois
49. California
48. New York
47. Rhode Island
46. New Jersey
45. Ohio
44. Wisconsin
43. Massachusetts
42. Connecticut
41. Nevada

TopRetirements.com - Top Ten BEST States for retirement:

1. Florida
2. North Carolina
3. Tennessee
4. South Carolina
5. California
6. Arizona
7. Texas
8. Colorado
9. Oregon
10. Delaware

MoneyRates.com's study used the following criteria in preparing their list of states for retirement:

• Cost of living
• Unemployment
• Tax burden
• Climate
• Crime rates
• Life expectancy

TopRetirements.com also considered the following criteria but was not used in the above ratings:

• Health care
• Recreational opportunities
• Transportation
• Cultural resources
• Natural disasters
• Social, political or religious concerns

My previous blog posts on the trends of the 55+ market included being close to family. This may be the overriding factor for baby boomers in selecting their retirement haven!