The 10 least desirable states to retire in the U.S., with 6 of them located in the South.

Despite having warmer climates and higher populations of older adults, several Southern states are among the worst places to retire in the U.S.

According to Seniorly.com, a recent study ranked the best and worst places to retire based on affordability, quality of life, and health care, considering all 50 states plus the District of Columbia.

Despite being generally more affordable than other regions, Alabama, Georgia, Oklahoma, Mississippi, South Carolina, and Texas received poor scores on Seniorly's health-care metrics, which include the number of doctors, Medicaid spending on long-term care, and the health of Medicare beneficiaries.

Despite having the worst health-care ranking in the U.S., Florida's lower cost of living, abundant recreational activities, and significant senior population help it avoid the bottom of the overall rankings. On the other hand, Alabama ranks third-worst for retirees' health-care environment, according to Seniorly.

These are the 10 worst states to retire, according to Seniorly:

1. New Jersey
2. Alabama
3. Kansas
4. Georgia
5. Oklahoma
6. Mississippi
7. Massachusetts
8. South Carolina
9. Texas
10. Arizona

New Jersey boasts miles of coastline, numerous shopping malls, and decent healthcare options for retirees. However, the state's high cost of living and personal income tax rates negatively impact its overall ranking, according to Seniorly.

Despite not being taxed at the state level in New Jersey, Social Security income, the state has the highest property tax in the country at an effective rate over 2%. Homeowners in the state pay a median of $9,345 in annual property taxes, according to SmartAsset, so even retirees who've paid off their mortgages may still be responsible for significant housing costs.

According to the Missouri Economic Research and Information Center data, the Garden State ranks sixth in cost of living among all states, with Massachusetts being the second-most expensive, just behind Hawaii.

Texas ranks last in terms of quality of life for retirees, according to Seniorly's ranking. Despite having a mild climate most of the year, the Lone Star state has one of the smallest shares of adults aged 65 and up, with only 13% of the population in that age group, according to U.S. Census Bureau data.

In contrast to Montana, which is the best state to retire according to Seniorly's metrics, seniors account for almost 20% of the state's population.

While Texas has made progress in retiree health care, there is still room for improvement. The United Health Foundation ranked it No. 38 for senior health in its 2024 Senior Report, highlighting that the state has higher rates of seniors living in poverty and struggling with food insecurity compared to the national average.

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