#1 Place To Retire in 2026
Alright, I put the top 3 retirement states in the country into a head-to-head showdown with their scores to come up with the Best State To Retire in 2026. It’s not based just on affordability, but on everything that actually matters: healthcare, safety, housing, taxes, amenities and whether or not you’ll lose your mind living there. It’s like MrBeast meets AARP, plus a dash of here, ‘hold my beer.’ Now, If you’re thinking about where to retire, this is the breakdown you need. And at the end is a reveal that will make you kiss your neighbors goodbye and call the movers.
Ok, Let’s start with Tennessee.
Tennessee is one of those states that looks like it was built from leftover parts of a Cracker Barrel and a Bass Pro Shops… and I mean that in the most endearing way. It’s like if retirement and fried catfish had a baby. You’ve got country music, lakes, mountains, cheap living, and just enough Wi-Fi to still watch reruns of "Murder, She Wrote." What else do you need?
Cost of living? About 9% under the national average. That means your money lasts longer. Not forever — it’s not magic — but longer. Groceries don’t require a loan. Gas won’t give you heartburn. You can still buy name-brand cereal and not feel like you’re blowing the budget. Cost of Living Score: 88
Housing? $334K average. And no, that’s not for a doghouse. That’s for an actual house. With walls. And maybe even a porch. For under $350K in towns that don’t come with nightly police chases, you can land something cozy and comfortable — especially in places like Johnson City or Cleveland. Not bad for a country where half the country pays $3,000 a month to live in a closet with a sink. Housing Score: 85
Healthcare? It’s not like being next door to Johns Hopkins, but it ain’t bad. Nashville, Knoxville, Chattanooga — all solid. And even the smaller towns aren’t leaving you stranded with Dr. Google. If you need a specialist, it’s not a four-day mule ride. And hey, the telehealth situation has improved. You can still get someone to look at that weird mole from your recliner. Healthcare Score: 78
Crime? Let’s be honest — if you’re in Memphis, you better have eyes in the back of your head. But retirees aren’t setting up shop in sketchy downtown areas. You’re going where the neighborhoods are quiet, and the loudest sound is your neighbor’s lawnmower. Franklin, Maryville, Farragut — solid places where the crime rate is lower than a Florida snowbird’s blood pressure after a rum and Coke. Crime Score: 72
Now let’s talk fun. Tennessee’s got it. You’ve got the Smoky Mountains — which honestly feel like nature’s apology for the rest of the country. You want hiking, fishing, birdwatching? Boom. Done. Plus, Tennessee has seasons. Real seasons. Not that bipolar mess where it’s winter in the morning and hell by noon. You want a state that lets you wear a light jacket in the fall and not feel like you’re on the surface of the sun by 11am.
And culture? Nashville’s got enough music to last three retirements. Chattanooga has artsy vibes if you’re feeling fancy. Knoxville has football and beer. They’ve also got antique stores, car shows, county fairs, BBQ festivals — basically all the things that make you say, "Why the hell did I wait so long to retire?" Amenities Score: 82
Now taxes. Sweet mother of financial freedom. Tennessee doesn’t tax your Social Security. It doesn’t tax your retirement income. It doesn’t tax your regular income — because it doesn’t even HAVE an income tax. That’s right. You keep what you make. Imagine that. The only thing that’ll get you is the sales tax — which hovers around 9.75%. So yeah, don’t go on a shopping spree like you’re 25 again. But if you can chill with the knickknacks, it balances out.
Property taxes? Low. You’re not gonna lose sleep. No state income tax. Retirement accounts? Untouched. Basically, Tennessee is that one friend who never asks for money and still shows up with a casserole. Taxes Score: 90
So look — Tennessee’s not perfect. It’s got humidity. It’s got accents so thick you might need subtitles. But for retirees? It’s a solid bet. You keep more money, you get enough healthcare to stay vertical, and you can spend your golden years in a rocking chair that doesn’t cost gold. That’s a win in my book.
Next up? Let’s talk about Pennsylvania — the Rocky Balboa of retirement states.
Cost of living? Roughly 4% below the national average. Not insane, but it adds up — especially when your retirement budget looks more like a middle school lunch menu. Groceries are fair, utilities won’t bankrupt you, and you can still afford to heat your house in the winter — which, yeah, you’ll need to do, because it’s Pennsylvania. You’re not tanning here — you’re layering. Cost of Living Score: 81
Housing’s where it gets interesting. Median home prices are around $284K, but in small towns and rural spots? You can find solid houses in the $180K range, easy. Not fixer-uppers either — actual houses that won’t collapse when you sneeze. Towns like Lancaster, Lititz, and Mechanicsburg? Real charm. Walkable. Historic. Like living in a postcard with slightly cranky neighbors. Housing Score: 87
Now healthcare — this is where Pennsylvania punches way above its weight class. UPMC. Penn Medicine. Geisinger. This state is stacked with high-quality hospitals and clinics. You throw a rock, you hit a specialist. The ratio of doctors to residents is beautiful. It’s like the Costco of healthcare. You go in for a sore throat, they check your cholesterol and rotate your tires. Healthcare Score: 92
Crime-wise? It’s a mixed bag. Philly’s got some rough edges. Pittsburgh’s not perfect. But again, you’re not moving to South Street with a walker and a cat. You’re heading to safer towns. Suburbs. Rural pockets where the biggest crime is someone forgetting to return your snow shovel. Areas like State College or Lititz — you’re safer than a tax refund in Delaware. Crime Score: 74
Amenities? Listen — this ain’t a Jimmy Buffett retirement fantasy. It’s Pennsylvania. But it’s got a different kind of magic. You want quaint downtowns with 200-year-old brick buildings, diners where the waitress calls you “hon,” and pumpkin festivals that last three weeks? Boom. Done. Want to hop a train to NYC, Baltimore, or DC for the weekend? Also doable. You get a bit of everything without living in the chaos. Amenities Score: 76
Now the tax stuff — and here’s where Pennsylvania throws a sucker punch at the rest of the country. Social Security? Not taxed. Retirement income? Also not taxed. That’s right — your 401(k), IRA, pensions? The state doesn’t touch ‘em, as long as you’re over 59½. It’s like they respect your retirement. What a concept.
Sales tax? Reasonable — 6%, maybe 7% in cities. Property taxes? Yeah… here’s the downside. They can be high, depending on where you land. Some places are reasonable, others make you want to move after the first bill. But even then, the lack of income tax on retirement stuff offsets a lot. Taxes Score: 84
Now to the crown jewel — South Carolina.
Let’s start with the cost of living — about 7% below the national average. You’re not rolling in Bezos money, but your dollar definitely stretches. Groceries are affordable. Utilities don’t give you a heart attack. And housing? We’ll get there in a second, but just know — this state’s the reason Zillow has a “save” button. Cost of Living Score: 91
Speaking of housing, median prices sit around $304K, but the range is wild. You want a beach bungalow in Myrtle? Sure. Mountain cabin near Greenville? Done. Quiet community near a lake with an HOA that doesn’t act like the CIA? They got that, too. You’ve got options — and that’s the magic. Unlike some places where it’s either trailer park or millionaire’s golf course, South Carolina’s got actual middle ground. Housing Score: 89
Now healthcare — and let me just say, it’s better than you’d expect from a state known for boiled peanuts and alligators. You’ve got big players like MUSC, Prisma Health, and Bon Secours. And while rural areas are still catching up, most of the retirement-friendly zones are already dialed in. Need a specialist? You’ll probably be 20 minutes away, not two hours on a bumpy road named after someone’s dead uncle. Healthcare Score: 85
Crime? You know the drill — if you’re hanging out in rough parts of Columbia or North Charleston, yeah, it’s a little dicey. But retirees are smarter than that. You’re going to Bluffton, Beaufort, Fort Mill, Simpsonville — the kind of towns where people still wave when they drive past you. Crime stats there? Lower than average. Safer than your last HOA meeting. Crime Score: 80
Now let’s get into the fun stuff. South Carolina is like a buffet for retirees. You’ve got beaches — actual, swimmable, beautiful beaches. You’ve got mountains. You’ve got lakes. You want to spend your retirement kayaking, golfing, antiquing, or just sipping sweet tea under a magnolia tree like you’re in a Nicholas Sparks movie? This is your place.
You also get culture — Charleston is practically a living museum. Greenville’s got live music, art, and restaurants that won’t serve you something frozen. Columbia has… well, Columbia’s trying. Bless its heart. Amenities Score: 90
Okay, taxes — and this is where South Carolina really makes its move. Social Security? Untouched. No tax. Retirement income? Taxed a little, but they toss you a $15,000 deduction once you hit 65. That’s per person. Married? Boom — $30K. That’s a lot of shrimp and grits.
No estate tax. No inheritance tax. Sales tax? Moderate — usually around 7%. Property taxes? Some of the lowest in the entire U.S. Like, you’ll laugh when you see the bill. It’s almost suspicious. Taxes Score: 95
Which make SC the number 1 place to retire in 2026.
It's reveal time. Since South Carolina crushed it, here is the best town for retirement in the Palmetto state: Beaufort. It’s got the charm of Charleston without the chaos, waterfront views without the waterfront taxes, and homes in the $300s that don’t look like budget motel rooms. The hospital’s five minutes away, downtown is walkable, and the sweet tea flows like wine. You get porches, palm trees, and a pace so relaxing your blood pressure will drop just driving into town. This isn’t just a great place to retire — it’s the place. Smart, safe, stunning — and somehow still a hidden gem. Go look it up. Seriously.
