Americans spend decades preparing for retirement, which is seen by many as a well-earned break following nearly a lifetime of work.
Baby Boomers — people born from 1946 to 1964 — started turning 65 in 2011 and are today entering retirement in unprecedented numbers. According to the National Institute on Aging, this generation is retiring at a rate of 10,000 people per day. By 2030, 20% of the U.S. pop will be comprised of elderly Americans, climbing from 15% in 2015.
The most common reason for retiring is the desire to spend more time with family, followed by the desire to do something different, health issues, and dissatisfaction with work. Other reasons have less to do with personal preference, and more to do with factors related to aging and location.
Because of the medical, social, and financial consequences of entering old age, life can change dramatically in retirement. While retirees are among the least likely group of Americans to be poor, they typically rely on fixed and reduced incomes, and the cost burdens of housing and medical care, in particular, tend to go up substantially.
To identify the best place to retire in every state, 24/7 Wall St. created an index of 17 health and economic factors in U.S. counties and areas considered equivalent to counties by the U.S. Census Bureau, including parishes and boroughs. Only counties where the 65-and-over population grew at least as fast as the nation and was larger than the national average were considered.
Click here to see the best place to retire in every state.
Click here to see our full methodology.
1. Alabama: Baldwin County
> Population: 203,360
> 65 and older population: 19.0% (15th of 67 counties)
> Primary care physicians: 74.2 per 100,000
> Est. monthly living expenses for family of 2: $4,343.67 (2nd out of 67 counties)
> Median home value: $182,000
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2. Alaska: Kenai Peninsula Borough
> Population: 57,961
> 65 and older population: 14.8% (5th of 29 borough)
> Primary care physicians: 74.6 per 100,000
> Est. monthly living expenses for family of 2: $5,341.27 (14th out of 29 counties)
> Median home value: $234,600
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3. Arizona: Pima County
> Population: 1,007,257
> 65 and older population: 18.1% (7th of 15 counties)
> Primary care physicians: 82.5 per 100,000
> Est. monthly living expenses for family of 2: $3,876.65 (14th out of 15 counties)
> Median home value: $166,300
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4. Arkansas: Baxter County
> Population: 41,093
> 65 and older population: 30.5% (1st of 75 counties)
> Primary care physicians: 85.4 per 100,000
> Est. monthly living expenses for family of 2: $3,478.55 (39th out of 75 counties)
> Median home value: $124,400
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5. California: Plumas County
> Population: 18,724
> 65 and older population: 25.8% (4th of 58 counties)
> Primary care physicians: 96.0 per 100,000
> Est. monthly living expenses for family of 2: $4,201.70 (32nd out of 58 counties)
> Median home value: $228,900
See all stories featuring: California
6. Colorado: Chaffee County
> Population: 18,818
> 65 and older population: 24.1% (10th of 64 counties)
> Primary care physicians: 91.9 per 100,000
> Est. monthly living expenses for family of 2: $4,197.89 (37th out of 64 counties)
> Median home value: $313,200
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7. Connecticut: Hartford County
> Population: 897,417
> 65 and older population: 16.2% (4th of 8 counties)
> Primary care physicians: 94.7 per 100,000
> Est. monthly living expenses for family of 2: $4,257.11 (8th out of 8 counties)
> Median home value: $235,300
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8. Delaware: Sussex County
> Population: 215,551
> 65 and older population: 25.2% (1st of 3 counties)
> Primary care physicians: 66.8 per 100,000
> Est. monthly living expenses for family of 2: $4,249.98 (3rd out of 3 counties)
> Median home value: $242,900
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9. Florida: Sarasota County
> Population: 404,839
> 65 and older population: 34.8% (4th of 67 counties)
> Primary care physicians: 80.7 per 100,000
> Est. monthly living expenses for family of 2: $4,156.50 (19th out of 67 counties)
> Median home value: $215,300
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10. Georgia: Towns County
> Population: 11,173
> 65 and older population: 33.6% (1st of 159 counties)
> Primary care physicians: 91.1 per 100,000
> Est. monthly living expenses for family of 2: $4,103.24 (49th out of 159 counties)
> Median home value: $197,900
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11. Hawaii: Hawaii County
> Population: 196,325
> 65 and older population: 18.5% (1st of 5 counties)
> Primary care physicians: 74.3 per 100,000
> Est. monthly living expenses for family of 2: $4,848.14 (5th out of 5 counties)
> Median home value: $316,000
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12. Idaho: Valley County
> Population: 10,104
> 65 and older population: 24.6% (6th of 44 counties)
> Primary care physicians: 161.7 per 100,000
> Est. monthly living expenses for family of 2: $3,917.45 (11th out of 44 counties)
> Median home value: $258,000
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13. Illinois: Sangamon County
> Population: 198,134
> 65 and older population: 16.1% (80th of 102 counties)
> Primary care physicians: 118.8 per 100,000
> Est. monthly living expenses for family of 2: $3,979.79 (66th out of 102 counties)
> Median home value: $136,100
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14. Indiana: Warrick County
> Population: 61,581
> 65 and older population: 16.1% (57th of 92 counties)
> Primary care physicians: 144.9 per 100,000
> Est. monthly living expenses for family of 2: $3,990.13 (6th out of 92 counties)
> Median home value: $158,100
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15. Iowa: Winneshiek County
> Population: 20,575
> 65 and older population: 18.7% (61st of 99 counties)
> Primary care physicians: 101.0 per 100,000
> Est. monthly living expenses for family of 2: $4,143.31 (8th out of 99 counties)
> Median home value: $161,500
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16. Kansas: Harvey County
> Population: 34,683
> 65 and older population: 18.4% (63rd of 105 counties)
> Primary care physicians: 89.0 per 100,000
> Est. monthly living expenses for family of 2: $3,864.68 (72nd out of 105 counties)
> Median home value: $120,200
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17. Kentucky: Daviess County
> Population: 99,258
> 65 and older population: 16.2% (73rd of 120 counties)
> Primary care physicians: 56.7 per 100,000
> Est. monthly living expenses for family of 2: $3,649.43 (57th out of 120 counties)
> Median home value: $123,200
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18. Louisiana: Jefferson Parish
> Population: 437,038
> 65 and older population: 15.6% (25th of 64 parishes)
> Primary care physicians: 88.5 per 100,000
> Est. monthly living expenses for family of 2: $4,036.27 (19th out of 64 counties)
> Median home value: $176,000
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19. Maine: Cumberland County
> Population: 289,173
> 65 and older population: 16.8% (15th of 16 counties)
> Primary care physicians: 163.4 per 100,000
> Est. monthly living expenses for family of 2: $4,721.10 (1st out of 16 counties)
> Median home value: $259,400
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20. Maryland: Worcester County
> Population: 51,559
> 65 and older population: 26.2% (2nd of 24 counties)
> Primary care physicians: 81.6 per 100,000
> Est. monthly living expenses for family of 2: $4,171.72 (16th out of 24 counties)
> Median home value: $252,100
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21. Massachusetts: Hampshire County
> Population: 161,197
> 65 and older population: 15.3% (10th of 14 counties)
> Primary care physicians: 139.7 per 100,000
> Est. monthly living expenses for family of 2: $4,639.86 (9th out of 14 counties)
> Median home value: $272,700
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22. Michigan: Emmet County
> Population: 32,978
> 65 and older population: 20.2% (33rd of 83 counties)
> Primary care physicians: 126.9 per 100,000
> Est. monthly living expenses for family of 2: $3,849.82 (29th out of 83 counties)
> Median home value: $171,100
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23. Minnesota: Cook County
> Population: 5,270
> 65 and older population: 26.1% (2nd of 87 counties)
> Primary care physicians: 172.6 per 100,000
> Est. monthly living expenses for family of 2: $4,284.08 (23rd out of 87 counties)
> Median home value: $241,400
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24. Mississippi: Lauderdale County
> Population: 78,221
> 65 and older population: 15.7% (45th of 82 counties)
> Primary care physicians: 98.4 per 100,000
> Est. monthly living expenses for family of 2: $3,620.78 (65th out of 82 counties)
> Median home value: $88,500
See all stories featuring: Mississippi
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25. Missouri: St. Louis County
> Population: 999,539
> 65 and older population: 16.9% (79th of 115 counties)
> Primary care physicians: 123.6 per 100,000
> Est. monthly living expenses for family of 2: $3,897.75 (74th out of 115 counties)
> Median home value: $181,100
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26. Montana: Lewis and Clark County
> Population: 66,290
> 65 and older population: 16.6% (44th of 56 counties)
> Primary care physicians: 89.4 per 100,000
> Est. monthly living expenses for family of 2: $4,290.89 (9th out of 56 counties)
> Median home value: $220,600
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27. Nebraska: Nuckolls County
> Population: 4,318
> 65 and older population: 26.7% (5th of 93 counties)
> Primary care physicians: 114.9 per 100,000
> Est. monthly living expenses for family of 2: $4,311.88 (41st out of 93 counties)
> Median home value: $62,300
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28. Nevada: Douglas County
> Population: 47,632
> 65 and older population: 25.4% (4th of 17 counties)
> Primary care physicians: 61.1 per 100,000
> Est. monthly living expenses for family of 2: $4,277.85 (9th out of 17 counties)
> Median home value: $311,400
See all stories featuring: Nevada
29. New Hampshire: Grafton County
> Population: 89,280
> 65 and older population: 18.8% (5th of 10 counties)
> Primary care physicians: 194.0 per 100,000
> Est. monthly living expenses for family of 2: $4,092.95 (6th out of 10 counties)
> Median home value: $215,600
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30. New Jersey: Hunterdon County
> Population: 125,717
> 65 and older population: 16.5% (4th of 21 counties)
> Primary care physicians: 113.8 per 100,000
> Est. monthly living expenses for family of 2: $5,346.02 (1st out of 21 counties)
> Median home value: $393,800
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31. New Mexico: Los Alamos County
> Population: 18,031
> 65 and older population: 17.2% (20th of 33 counties)
> Primary care physicians: 162.1 per 100,000
> Est. monthly living expenses for family of 2: $3,934.80 (4th out of 33 counties)
> Median home value: $285,300
See all stories featuring: New Mexico
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32. New York: Warren County
> Population: 64,701
> 65 and older population: 20.3% (5th of 62 counties)
> Primary care physicians: 117.1 per 100,000
> Est. monthly living expenses for family of 2: $4,330.03 (23rd out of 62 counties)
> Median home value: $192,800
See all stories featuring: New York
33. North Carolina: Buncombe County
> Population: 252,268
> 65 and older population: 18.4% (49th of 100 counties)
> Primary care physicians: 143.1 per 100,000
> Est. monthly living expenses for family of 2: $4,329.91 (37th out of 100 counties)
> Median home value: $209,800
See all stories featuring: North Carolina
34. North Dakota: Ramsey County
> Population: 11,574
> 65 and older population: 18.8% (33rd of 53 counties)
> Primary care physicians: 86.4 per 100,000
> Est. monthly living expenses for family of 2: $3,703.54 (51st out of 53 counties)
> Median home value: $130,400
See all stories featuring: North Dakota
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35. Ohio: Cuyahoga County
> Population: 1,257,401
> 65 and older population: 17.0% (43rd of 88 counties)
> Primary care physicians: 111.1 per 100,000
> Est. monthly living expenses for family of 2: $3,458.20 (78th out of 88 counties)
> Median home value: $123,900
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36. Oklahoma: Garfield County
> Population: 62,421
> 65 and older population: 15.2% (60th of 77 counties)
> Primary care physicians: 49.6 per 100,000
> Est. monthly living expenses for family of 2: $3,882.56 (64th out of 77 counties)
> Median home value: $104,000
See all stories featuring: Oklahoma
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37. Oregon: Lane County
> Population: 363,471
> 65 and older population: 17.7% (23rd of 36 counties)
> Primary care physicians: 87.2 per 100,000
> Est. monthly living expenses for family of 2: $4,034.99 (29th out of 36 counties)
> Median home value: $232,800
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38. Pennsylvania: Montour County
> Population: 18,302
> 65 and older population: 20.1% (20th of 67 counties)
> Primary care physicians: 456.4 per 100,000
> Est. monthly living expenses for family of 2: $4,378.06 (16th out of 67 counties)
> Median home value: $173,800
See all stories featuring: Pennsylvania
39. Rhode Island: Bristol County
> Population: 49,028
> 65 and older population: 19.1% (2nd of 5 counties)
> Primary care physicians: 180.8 per 100,000
> Est. monthly living expenses for family of 2: $4,451.59 (2nd out of 5 counties)
> Median home value: $341,300
See all stories featuring: Rhode Island
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40. South Carolina: Beaufort County
> Population: 179,316
> 65 and older population: 24.9% (3rd of 46 counties)
> Primary care physicians: 70.7 per 100,000
> Est. monthly living expenses for family of 2: $4,702.03 (1st out of 46 counties)
> Median home value: $283,800
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41. South Dakota: Hughes County
> Population: 17,572
> 65 and older population: 15.6% (50th of 66 counties)
> Primary care physicians: 74.2 per 100,000
> Est. monthly living expenses for family of 2: $3,814.69 (62nd out of 66 counties)
> Median home value: $173,400
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42. Tennessee: Washington County
> Population: 126,437
> 65 and older population: 17.1% (62nd of 95 counties)
> Primary care physicians: 173.0 per 100,000
> Est. monthly living expenses for family of 2: $3,609.55 (82nd out of 95 counties)
> Median home value: $152,800
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43. Texas: Gillespie County
> Population: 25,939
> 65 and older population: 28.7% (8th of 254 counties)
> Primary care physicians: 124.4 per 100,000
> Est. monthly living expenses for family of 2: $3,750.25 (125th out of 254 counties)
> Median home value: $269,900
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44. Utah: Washington County
> Population: 155,577
> 65 and older population: 19.9% (3rd of 29 counties)
> Primary care physicians: 59.2 per 100,000
> Est. monthly living expenses for family of 2: $4,040.76 (14th out of 29 counties)
> Median home value: $240,300
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45. Vermont: Bennington County
> Population: 36,054
> 65 and older population: 21.4% (2nd of 14 counties)
> Primary care physicians: 95.9 per 100,000
> Est. monthly living expenses for family of 2: $4,641.36 (10th out of 14 counties)
> Median home value: $208,600
See all stories featuring: Vermont
46. Virginia: Winchester City
> Population: 27,516
> 65 and older population: 15.2% (97th of 133 counties or county equivalents)
> Primary care physicians: 285.2 per 100,000
> Est. monthly living expenses for family of 2: $4,005.88 (73rd out of 133 counties)
> Median home value: $226,200
See all stories featuring: Virginia
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47. Washington: Chelan County
> Population: 75,138
> 65 and older population: 17.6% (22nd of 39 counties)
> Primary care physicians: 119.0 per 100,000
> Est. monthly living expenses for family of 2: $3,839.28 (16th out of 39 counties)
> Median home value: $256,400
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48. West Virginia: Ohio County
> Population: 42,906
> 65 and older population: 20.2% (18th of 55 counties)
> Primary care physicians: 171.1 per 100,000
> Est. monthly living expenses for family of 2: $3,779.52 (54th out of 55 counties)
> Median home value: $114,800
See all stories featuring: West Virginia
49. Wisconsin: Wood County
> Population: 73,427
> 65 and older population: 19.2% (28th of 72 counties)
> Primary care physicians: 168.4 per 100,000
> Est. monthly living expenses for family of 2: $3,754.34 (51st out of 72 counties)
> Median home value: $127,700
See all stories featuring: Wisconsin
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50. Wyoming: Park County
> Population: 29,276
> 65 and older population: 20.4% (5th of 23 counties)
> Primary care physicians: 120.3 per 100,000
> Est. monthly living expenses for family of 2: $4,269.06 (11th out of 23 counties)
> Median home value: $236,200
See all stories featuring: Wyoming
Methodology
To identify the best place to retire in every state, 24/7 Wall St. created an index based on 17 different health and economic factors. Only counties where the 65-and-over population grew at least as fast as the nation and was larger than the national average were considered.
Health factors included the number of medical health professionals (dentists, PCP’s, mental health professionals, etc.) per capita, the presence of social institutions, and factors that promote healthier living (diabetes prevalence, access to exercise opportunities, etc.). All health measures came from the County Health Rankings & Roadmaps, a Robert Wood Johnson Foundation and University of Wisconsin Population Health Institute joint program, and are for the most recent year available.
Economic factors included the median home value, the monthly cost of living for two people with no children, and the state-local tax burden as a share of state income. Tax burden data came from the Tax Foundation and are for 2012, the most recent year available. Median home value came from the 2017 ACS 5-Year estimates, and the monthly cost of living came from the Economic Policy Institute for 2017. All factors were given equal weight.
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