TL/DR –
Bankrate released its 2025 ranking of all 50 states’ suitability for retirement, based on factors like affordability, weather, healthcare, safety, and quality of life. New York ranked 30th due to low scores in local taxes and affordability, despite excelling in healthcare and arts and culture. The top five states for retirement are New Hampshire, Maine, Wyoming, Vermont, and Idaho, while the lowest-ranked are Louisiana, Texas, Oklahoma, Arkansas, and Nebraska.
Bankrate’s 2025 Rankings: Best and Worst States for Retirement
Bankrate recently published their 2025 list of the best and worst U.S. states for retirement. This comprehensive ranking considered affordability, climate, healthcare, safety, and quality of life for all 50 states.
How New York Ranks for Retirement
New York state was ranked 30th on the list, landing in the lower half. Despite performing well in certain areas, lower scores in other categories impacted its overall ranking. The state’s category rankings were as follows:
- 50th in local taxes
- 39th in affordability
- 37th in weather
- 30th in safety
- 13th in healthcare
- 20th in population 65+
- 2nd in arts and culture
- 3rd in miscellaneous factors like walkability, air and water quality, and community well-being
New York stood out for its arts, healthcare, and other livability metrics but struggled with affordability and taxes.
Top States for Retirement in 2025
Bankrate’s top five states for retiring in 2025, known for their affordability, safety, healthcare, and quality of life are:
- New Hampshire
- Maine
- Wyoming
- Vermont
- Idaho
Bottom Five States for Retirement
The lowest-ranked states for retirement in 2025, according to Bankrate, are Louisiana, Texas, Oklahoma, Arkansas, and Nebraska. Bankrate suggests that potential retirees should consider more than just climate and income taxes when choosing a state to retire in.
Bankrate’s Ranking Methodology
To determine the rankings, Bankrate used data from various federal and nonprofit sources, such as the U.S. Census Bureau, Environmental Protection Agency, Council for Community and Economic Research, and the Department of Health and Human Services. Detailed information about Bankrate’s methodology can be found on their official website.
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