One of the great perks of reaching your golden years is the newfound freedom to live wherever you choose.
With the kids out of the house and work no longer tying you down, retirement opens the door to relocating to a place that better suits your lifestyle. So, why not consider moving to a state where seniors report the highest levels of happiness?
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Caring.com, a leading online resource for senior care information and support, has just unveiled its latest Senior Happiness Index, a comprehensive look at where older Americans are thriving.
To compile the index, experts evaluated a range of things that boost quality of life in retirement.
These included each state’s overall happiness score, cost of living, average life expectancy, access to health care, physical and mental health status of residents over age 60, and the availability of senior centers and support services.
The result is a state-by-state breakdown highlighting where older Americans enjoy the greatest well-being.
Whether you’re thinking about where to retire or simply curious about how your state stacks up, here’s a closer look at the five states that topped the rankings.
1. Utah
Utah tops the list as a retirement haven for older adults. According to Caring.com, the state with a score of 7.69 out of 10 on the Senior Happiness Index.
This score is based primarily on the state’s supportive environment for people in this age cohort. Seniors are more healthy, less isolated and more likely to be engaged in community volunteer work here, which makes retirement much more satisfying.
Read more: Want an extra $1,300,000 when you retire? Dave Ramsey says this 7-step plan ‘works every single time’ to kill debt, get rich in America — and that ‘anyone’ can do it
Unfortunately, these advantages come at a cost. According to ElderLife Financial, senior care in Utah tends to cost more than the national average, with a typical assisted living facility costing $4,150 per month, as of 2024.
Nevertheless, if you’re wealthier or more financially secure than the average retiree, this might be an ideal state to retire in
2. Idaho
Idaho is second on Caring.com’s index, scoring 7.38 out of 10. Again, this is based on the density of seniors in the state and the access to senior services and support resources.
Fortunately, Idaho is also considered a tax-friendly state for older Americans, according to SmartAsset, which means you can expect no taxes on your Social Security benefits and relatively lower sales and property taxes, saving you money.
3. Connecticut
Connecticut ranks third on the Senior Happiness Index, scoring 7.01 out of 10. The state has the third-highest life expectancy and is in the top 10 for overall health. So if you’re trying to live long and stay fit in retirement, this could be an ideal destination.
Unfortunately, according to SmartAsset, the state is a relatively unfriendly tax jurisdiction for seniors. This means you may have little to no tax benefits for retirement income and could be exposed to relatively high property and inheritance taxes.
The cost of living is noticeably higher here. According to Senior Living, a typical retiree can expect to spend $4,661 to live independently in Connecticut, 52% higher than the national average, according to Senior Living.
4. Delaware
Delaware ties with Connecticut with a score of 7.01 out of 10, and ranks ninth for health outcomes. It is in the top five states with the lowest ratio of older adults living alone, which means you’re less vulnerable to social isolation here.
Delaware is also tax-friendly to seniors, according to SmartAsset. The average monthly cost of living independently here is $3,862, which Senior Living reports is just 26% above the national average. Overall, Delaware could be an excellent choice for your golden years.
5. Nebraska
Home to billionaire Warren Buffett — one of the most famous recent retirees in America — Nebraska ranks fifth on Caring.com’s Senior Happiness Index.
Fortunately, if you’re looking to join the Oracle of Omaha and retire in the Cornhusker state, it won’t cost you much.
The average monthly cost of living for an independent senior is just $1,917, 37% lower than the national average, according to Senior Living.
If saving money in retirement is a top priority, Nebraska should be on your list for relocation.
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This article provides information only and should not be construed as advice. It is provided without warranty of any kind.
