A new nationwide study created by J. Price McNamara examines how well each state supports its aging population and what retirees can expect in 2026. The analysis evaluates affordability, crime, health outcomes, and senior well‑being to determine where older adults are most likely to experience a stable and connected retirement. The findings show wide differences across the country, with some states offering strong financial and health advantages while others struggle with high costs, safety concerns, or elevated loneliness among older residents.

The study begins with a broad look at the changing demographics of aging in the United States. According to 2024 Census Bureau data, the population aged 65 and older reached about 61.2 million, a year over year increase of 3.1 percent. Older adults are also living longer. Someone turning 65 today can expect to live into their mid 80s based on CDC estimates. National life expectancy rose to 79 years in 2024, an increase of 0.6 years from the previous year. The age adjusted death rate fell 3.8 percent, dropping from 750.5 deaths per 100,000 people in 2023 to 722.1 in 2024.

The country is also aging unevenly. Older adults now outnumber children in 11 states and in about half of all counties. The share of residents over 65 rose from 12.4 percent in 2004 to 18 percent in 2024. During the same period, the share of children declined from 25 percent to 21.5 percent. The national median age reached a record 39.1 in 2024. Maine had the oldest median age at 44.8 while Utah had the youngest at 32.4. Across all counties, median age ranged from 20.9 to 68.1, with nearly three quarters of counties at or above the national average.

These demographic shifts shape the retirement landscape. States with large senior populations often have more established support networks and infrastructure. The ten states with the largest number of residents aged 65 and older are shown below.

States With the Largest Senior Populations (2024)

State	65+ Population
California	6,524,861
Florida	5,094,353
Texas	4,365,469
New York	3,757,173
Pennsylvania	2,665,974
Illinois	2,274,582
Ohio	2,271,397
Michigan	1,987,859
North Carolina	1,980,690
Georgia	1,765,603

With this demographic foundation in place, the study ranks each state based on affordability, crime, health, and well‑being. These combined factors produce a national list of the best and worst retirement destinations.

Top Ten Best States for Retirement in 2026

The highest scoring states tend to offer a mix of moderate living costs, strong safety records, good health outcomes, and supportive community environments.

Best Retirement States

Rank	State	Retirement Score
1	Idaho	73.54
2	New Hampshire	71.12
3	Wyoming	70.44
4	Hawaii	68.65
5	Delaware	67.58
6	South Dakota	66.43
7	Montana	63.21
8	Wisconsin	62.74
9	Utah	61.82
10	Florida	61.66

Key strengths among top performers include:

• Idaho ranks in the top ten for affordability and third for safety.

• New Hampshire leads the nation in safety and performs strongly in health and life expectancy.

• Wyoming combines tax advantages with strong safety and health scores.

• Hawaii has the highest life expectancy in the country and the lowest Medicare spending per beneficiary.

• Delaware benefits from a zero percent state sales tax and strong affordability.

Top Ten Worst States for Retirement in 2026

The lowest scoring states often struggle with high crime rates, low affordability, or poor health outcomes. Some also face elevated loneliness among older adults.

Worst Retirement States

Rank	State	Retirement Score
1	California	34.27
2	New Mexico	36.04
3	Louisiana	36.46
4	Arkansas	41.15
5	Texas	41.24
6	Oklahoma	41.7
7	Tennessee	42.35
8	Alabama	44.47
9	Kansas	46.4
10	New York	46.48

Key challenges among bottom performers include:

• California ranks lowest due to high crime, low affordability, and high Medicare spending.

• New Mexico has the lowest safety score in the country and high levels of senior loneliness.

• Louisiana faces high sales tax rates, high Medicare costs, and elevated crime.

• Arkansas struggles with low health and longevity metrics.

• Texas has high property taxes, below average health outcomes, and safety concerns.

Category Rankings: How Each State Earned Its Position

The study breaks down performance across four major categories. These rankings show how individual strengths or weaknesses shaped each state’s overall score.

Top Ten States for Affordability

Rank	State
1	Delaware
2	Alaska
3	Wyoming
4	South Dakota
5	Mississippi
6	Nevada
7	Kentucky
8	Florida
9	Georgia
10	Oklahoma

Top Ten States for Health and Longevity

Rank	State
1	Hawaii
2	Vermont
3	South Dakota
4	New Hampshire
5	North Dakota
6	Minnesota
7	Montana
8	Maine
9	Wisconsin
10	Massachusetts

Top Ten States for Safety

Rank	State
1	New Hampshire
2	Idaho
3	Maine
4	Rhode Island
5	Connecticut
6	Wyoming
7	Wisconsin
8	Iowa
9	Pennsylvania
10	Vermont

Loneliness Among Older Adults

Senior well‑being is a major factor in retirement quality. The study measures how connected or isolated older adults feel in each state.

States With the Highest Levels of Loneliness Among Residents 65 and Older

State	Percent Lonely
New Mexico	40.1
District of Columbia	39.8
Alaska	39.5
Mississippi	39
California	38.5
Georgia	37.9
Maryland	37.4
Alabama	37.1
Washington	36.9
West Virginia	36.5

States With the Lowest Levels of Loneliness Among Residents 65 and Older

State	Percent Lonely
North Carolina	28.7
Minnesota	29.6
Arizona	30
Missouri	30.5
Utah	30.6
Idaho	30.6
Delaware	30.7
Kansas	30.8
Montana	31.5
Nebraska	31.6

These findings show that well‑being varies widely. Some states with strong affordability or health scores still struggle with social isolation among older adults. Others with moderate economic indicators perform well because they offer strong community networks.

Understanding the Broader Retirement Landscape

The study highlights several important patterns.

Examples include:

• West Virginia has the lowest life expectancy but does not fall into the bottom ten overall.

• Alaska ranks high for affordability and has the lowest gas tax but also has the highest violent crime rate.

• Oklahoma performs well in well‑being but poorly in health, safety, and affordability.

• Texas offers some retiree benefits but faces challenges with safety and well‑being.

These contrasts show that no single factor determines retirement quality. Instead, retirees must weigh financial stability, health access, safety, and social connection together.

Planning Ahead for a Secure Retirement

The study emphasizes that retirement planning should begin long before leaving the workforce. The data shows that where someone lives can significantly shape their quality of life as they age. To prepare effectively, older adults should consider the following steps:

• Plan for changing housing needs

• Build a long term financial strategy

• Prioritize access to health care and wellness programs

• Seek environments that support social connection

• Use technologies and services that improve daily life

The findings from the study created by J. Price McNamara offer a detailed look at how each state supports its aging population. By understanding these differences, individuals can make informed decisions about where to live and how to prepare for the years ahead.