The Best State to Retire in 2026 Might Not Be on Your Radar — But It Boasts High Social Security Income and the Healthiest Seniors
Retirees must be strategic when relocating in their golden years.
Key Takeaways
- Hundreds of thousands of Americans relocate for retirement every year.
- CareScout’s new analysis reveals the top states to retire in 2026.
Considering where to spend your golden years? If you’re weighing the pros and cons of different retirement spots, you’re not alone.
Hundreds of thousands of Americans move between states to retire every year. Retirees must account for important factors, including cost of living, healthcare quality, safety and more.
Which states rise above the rest when it comes to retirement? CareScout, a company helping older adults and their families navigate the aging care journey, decided to find out.
Related: Americans in These 5 U.S. States Might Fare the Worst in Retirement. How Do Your Numbers Compare?
CareScout analyzed nine categories of data (from the Social Security Administration, Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services and more) in all 50 states and D.C. across three main categories — affordability, healthcare and quality of life — to compile its ranking.
The analysis found that the best states to retire are largely in the Mountain West, Upper Midwest and Northeast. These regions tend to have good senior healthcare, low cost of living and low personal income tax.
Wyoming is the No. 1 state to retire in 2026
Wyoming emerged as the No. 1 state to retire. The state has no personal income tax, the healthiest seniors (less than 50% have three or more chronic health conditions) and the 16th-highest annual social security income at $28,063.
New Hampshire, Vermont, Montana and South Dakota snagged the rest of the top five slots for retirement, respectively, per the data.
Like Wyoming, New Hampshire has no personal income tax. Additionally, it boasts the second-highest social security income in the U.S. at $29,422. Vermont offers a strong community for older adults with one of the nation’s highest proportions of older adults (22.9%).
Retirees in Montana have extensive cultural opportunities, with 687 arts and recreational venues per 100,000 older adults. Those in South Dakota enjoy a low cost of living, no income tax and abundant recreational activities.
Related: How Much Money Do You Need to Retire Comfortably in Your State? Here’s the Breakdown.
Finally, the report encourages retirees to strike a balance between financial stability and quality of life, noting that those able to make “a confident, informed decision” have the best chance of fulfillment in retirement.
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Key Takeaways
- Hundreds of thousands of Americans relocate for retirement every year.
- CareScout’s new analysis reveals the top states to retire in 2026.
Considering where to spend your golden years? If you’re weighing the pros and cons of different retirement spots, you’re not alone.
Hundreds of thousands of Americans move between states to retire every year. Retirees must account for important factors, including cost of living, healthcare quality, safety and more.
