BALTIMORE, MD—Deciding where to spend your retirement years is one of life’s most significant choices. With factors ranging from housing costs and healthcare access to safety and tax considerations, many seniors struggle to determine which location will best serve their needs.
To help simplify this important decision, retirement experts at Gold IRA Custodians have analyzed data across all 50 states to identify the best and worst retirement destinations in 2025.
Unfortunately, Maryland was ranked among the worst states in which to retire.
“Finding the right retirement location involves balancing multiple factors that impact both quality of life and financial security,” says Tim Schmidt, the founder of Gold IRA Custodians. “Our research aimed to provide a clear picture of which states offer the most favorable conditions for retirees.”
The study evaluated each state based on six key metrics: average cost of living, median house prices, number of healthcare facilities, number of nursing homes, crime rates, and tax benefits for retirees. Each factor was weighted according to its importance to create a comprehensive “Retirement Score” that ranks states from most to least retirement-friendly.
The Top 10 Best States To Retire in 2025
| Rank | State | Avg Cost of living score | Median House Price | No. of Healthcare facilities | No. of Nursing homes | Crime Rate | Retirement score |
| 1 | Texas | 92.7 | $349,000 | 509 | 1184 | 406 | 78 |
| 2 | Pennsylvania | 95.1 | $319,000 | 185 | 670 | 266 | 62 |
| 3 | Illinois | 94.4 | $289,000 | 181 | 682 | 310 | 62 |
| 4 | Florida | 102.8 | $433,000 | 213 | 699 | 290 | 58 |
| 5 | Mississippi | 87.9 | $257,000 | 99 | 202 | 203 | 57 |
| 6 | Ohio | 94.2 | $255,000 | 187 | 929 | 287 | 57 |
| 7 | Alabama | 88 | $277,000 | 102 | 224 | 404 | 53 |
| 8 | Iowa | 89.7 | $241,000 | 118 | 404 | 280 | 49 |
| 9 | Indiana | 90.5 | $261,000 | 130 | 512 | 332 | 49 |
| 10 | South Dakota | 92.2 | $340,000 | 57 | 97 | 350 | 48 |
Texas (Retirement Score: 78)
Texas tops the list thanks to its outstanding healthcare infrastructure (509 facilities and 1,184 nursing homes) combined with below-average living costs (92.7). The median home price of $349,000 remains accessible compared to coastal states, while the absence of state income tax benefits retirees on fixed incomes. Despite a higher crime rate (406), these advantages create a compelling retirement destination that far outscores other states.
“Texas provides a balance that appeals to retirees,” explains Tim Schmidt. “The state offers relatively affordable housing below many coastal states, while maintaining a manageable cost of living below the national average.”
Pennsylvania (Retirement Score: 62)
Pennsylvania offers retirees strong healthcare access with 185 facilities and 670 nursing homes, alongside affordable housing ($319,000 median) and reasonable living costs (95.1). Its safety advantage is clear with a low crime rate of 266. Located near major Northeast cities while avoiding their high costs, Pennsylvania provides retirees both cultural opportunities and financial practicality, earning its second-place ranking.
“Pennsylvania offers retirees proximity to major metropolitan areas like Philadelphia and Pittsburgh, while still providing more affordable living than neighboring New York or New Jersey,” notes Schmidt.
Illinois (Retirement Score: 62)
Illinois secures third place with its combination of affordable housing ($289,000 median price) and excellent healthcare (181 facilities and 682 nursing homes). The cost of living score of 94.4 falls below the national average, though its crime rate (310) is somewhat elevated. These factors, along with its mix of urban and rural living options, make Illinois surprisingly retirement-friendly despite often being overlooked.
“Illinois might surprise some people as a top retirement destination, but the numbers don’t lie,” says Schmidt. “The combination of relatively low housing costs and excellent healthcare access makes it an attractive option, especially for Midwest natives who want to stay in the region.”
Florida (Retirement Score: 58)
Florida maintains strong retirement appeal despite higher costs than other top states. With a median house price of $433,000 and cost of living at 102.8, it’s pricier but offers excellent healthcare infrastructure (213 facilities, 699 nursing homes). The state’s warm climate and lack of income tax continue attracting retirees, while its moderate crime rate (290) adds to its appeal as a classic retirement destination.
Mississippi (Retirement Score: 57)
Mississippi stands out for unmatched affordability with the lowest median house price ($257,000) and cost of living (87.9) among top states. While healthcare options are more limited (99 facilities, 202 nursing homes), the state boasts exceptional safety with a crime rate of just 203. These factors make Mississippi ideal for budget-conscious retirees prioritizing low costs and safety over extensive healthcare infrastructure.
The Top 10 Worst States To Retire in 2025
| Rank | State | Avg Cost of living score | Median House Price | No. of Healthcare facilities | No. of Nursing homes | Crime Rate | Retirement score |
| 1 | Hawaii | 186.9 | $947,000 | 23 | 42 | 187 | 4 |
| 2 | Massachusetts | 145.9 | $646,000 | 73 | 345 | 314 | 23 |
| 3 | New Mexico | 93.3 | $396,000 | 43 | 68 | 749 | 26 |
| 4 | Colorado | 102 | $662,000 | 92 | 211 | 474 | 27 |
| 5 | Maryland | 115.3 | $513,000 | 47 | 222 | 426 | 28 |
| 6 | Alaska | 123.8 | $396,000 | 20 | 20 | 726 | 29 |
| 7 | Montana | 94.9 | $539,000 | 59 | 60 | 442 | 29 |
| 8 | Oregon | 112 | $522,000 | 61 | 128 | 326 | 30 |
| 9 | Utah | 104.9 | $620,000 | 54 | 98 | 232 | 30 |
| 10 | Rhode Island | 112.2 | $518,000 | 11 | 74 | 168 | 31 |
Hawaii (Retirement Score: 42)
Hawaii ranks last by a significant margin, primarily due to its extreme costs. With the nation’s highest cost of living (186.9) and median home price ($947,000), the financial burden makes retirement impractical for most seniors. Limited healthcare options (23 facilities, 42 nursing homes) further reduce its appeal, despite a low crime rate (187). These factors give Hawaii the lowest retirement score by a wide margin.
“Hawaii illustrates the perfect example of how paradise comes at a price,” says Schmidt. “While many dream of retiring to its beautiful beaches, the financial reality makes it impractical for anyone without substantial savings.”
Massachusetts (Retirement Score: 23)
Massachusetts places second-worst due to its high cost of living (145.9) and steep housing prices ($646,000). While it offers better healthcare access (73 facilities, 345 nursing homes) than other bottom-ranked states, these benefits don’t offset the financial strain. Add in a high crime rate (314) and significant tax burden, and Massachusetts presents major challenges for retirees with average savings.
New Mexico (Retirement Score: 26)
New Mexico’s third-worst ranking comes despite reasonable costs (living score 93.3, median house price $396,000). Its position is driven by the nation’s highest crime rate (749) and limited healthcare options (43 facilities, 68 nursing homes). This combination of safety concerns and inadequate medical infrastructure outweighs the affordability advantages, making New Mexico challenging for retirees seeking security and healthcare access.
“When choosing a retirement destination, most retirees need to balance financial considerations with quality of life factors. Our research highlights that the most retirement-friendly states typically excel in healthcare access while maintaining reasonable living costs,” said Tim Schmidt, founder of Gold IRA Custodians. “States like Texas demonstrate how strong medical infrastructure can coexist with affordable housing, creating ideal conditions for seniors.”
“Meanwhile, places like Hawaii remind us that paradise comes with practical challenges for retirees on fixed incomes,” Schmidt added. “I always advise clients to look beyond the brochures – examine the healthcare facility numbers, research tax implications for retirement accounts, and consider long-term livability factors like crime rates and housing costs. The right retirement location varies for everyone, but these metrics provide a solid foundation for this important decision.”
Photo via Pixabay
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