Salem, Oregon – Ranked 39th among U.S. states, Oregon has been identified as one of the least friendly states for retirement according to a new WalletHub analysis. Just ahead of states like Indiana, Hawaii, and Kentucky, this places Oregon toward the bottom in the national ranking.
The study looked at a number of important factors influencing retirees including health care availability, quality of life, and cost. WalletHub’s results show that Oregon’s low score in affordability—ranked at 42nd place—is a major contributing reason to its bad general ranking. This evaluation emphasizes the difficulties retirees may have given high taxes and the state’s overall cost of living present.
Chip Lupo, a WalletHub analyst, emphasizes the importance of a state’s economic environment on retirees’ well-being.
“Retirement is supposed to be relaxing, but it can also be incredibly stressful given that it typically puts people on a fixed income, which may not be enough for them to live comfortably. As a result, the best states for retirees are those that have low taxes and a low cost of living to help retirees’ budgets stretch as far as possible. Having access to excellent medical care and homemaking services is also crucial, especially for people who don’t plan to retire in close proximity to their families,” Lupo said.

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Apart from financial issues, a state’s fit for retirees depends much on quality of life and health care as well. In the WalletHub analysis, Oregon rated 26th in health care and 32nd in quality of life, showing modest performance in both areas but not sufficient to raise its general desirability for retirement.
On the other hand, among the best places to retire in the United States are states like Florida, Minnesota, and Colorado. Along with good tax laws, the Older Americans Act provides senior adults with significant support for their needs including transportation, homemaker assistance, and food assistance.
“There’s a reason Florida is known as a retirement paradise – it ranks as the best state to retire due to its relatively low taxes for retired people, including no estate, inheritance or income taxes. Plus, Florida receives more funding per senior from the Older Americans Act than all but two other states. This funds things like transportation, homemaker assistance and nutrition programs for seniors,” WalletHub said.
For people who are thinking about retiring, the report’s findings are essential since they suggest prospective retirees to evaluate several elements, including the cost of living, availability to healthcare, and general quality of life, while deciding on a state to settle down in following retirement.
The comprehensive evaluation offered by WalletHub guarantees a comfortable and safe retirement through a guide for future retirees seeking a state that fits their financial and medical requirements. According to the study, Oregon’s economic environment might make life difficult for people on a limited income even if it offers gorgeous scenery and abundant cultural events.
Best & Worst States to Retire
Overall Rank | State | Total Score | Affordability Rank | Quality of Life Rank | Health Care Rank |
1 | Florida | 62.76 | 2 | 2 | 27 |
2 | Minnesota | 62.74 | 27 | 6 | 1 |
3 | Colorado | 61.71 | 15 | 18 | 3 |
4 | Wyoming | 60.79 | 1 | 3 | 38 |
5 | South Dakota | 60.76 | 18 | 19 | 4 |
6 | Pennsylvania | 60.44 | 22 | 5 | 9 |
7 | New Hampshire | 58.64 | 23 | 8 | 14 |
8 | Delaware | 58.62 | 4 | 35 | 18 |
9 | North Dakota | 58.45 | 14 | 30 | 13 |
10 | Wisconsin | 57.75 | 17 | 20 | 21 |
11 | Virginia | 57.08 | 21 | 14 | 19 |
12 | North Carolina | 56.72 | 7 | 16 | 36 |
13 | Missouri | 56.44 | 13 | 31 | 32 |
14 | Alaska | 56.23 | 16 | 37 | 15 |
15 | Maine | 55.83 | 33 | 1 | 20 |
16 | Iowa | 55.52 | 28 | 9 | 29 |
17 | Vermont | 55.04 | 37 | 7 | 10 |
18 | Utah | 54.80 | 25 | 22 | 25 |
19 | Ohio | 54.17 | 26 | 12 | 34 |
20 | South Carolina | 53.45 | 8 | 38 | 39 |
21 | California | 53.38 | 39 | 24 | 5 |
22 | Montana | 53.17 | 35 | 11 | 16 |
23 | Massachusetts | 53.06 | 49 | 4 | 2 |
24 | Idaho | 53.04 | 29 | 26 | 30 |
25 | Michigan | 52.69 | 32 | 13 | 31 |
26 | Texas | 52.37 | 20 | 34 | 35 |
27 | Nebraska | 51.85 | 43 | 21 | 8 |
28 | Nevada | 51.53 | 5 | 42 | 43 |
29 | Connecticut | 51.52 | 45 | 17 | 6 |
30 | Arizona | 51.41 | 34 | 29 | 23 |
31 | Kansas | 50.85 | 30 | 28 | 37 |
32 | Georgia | 50.24 | 19 | 39 | 40 |
33 | Oklahoma | 50.04 | 10 | 47 | 42 |
34 | Illinois | 49.66 | 41 | 15 | 28 |
35 | New York | 49.58 | 47 | 10 | 11 |
36 | Maryland | 49.54 | 44 | 25 | 17 |
37 | Alabama | 48.93 | 3 | 43 | 49 |
38 | Tennessee | 48.58 | 6 | 48 | 46 |
39 | Oregon | 48.33 | 42 | 32 | 26 |
40 | Indiana | 48.29 | 31 | 33 | 41 |
41 | Hawaii | 47.75 | 50 | 27 | 7 |
42 | Arkansas | 47.70 | 12 | 49 | 44 |
43 | West Virginia | 47.48 | 11 | 44 | 50 |
44 | Rhode Island | 47.02 | 40 | 40 | 22 |
45 | New Jersey | 46.36 | 46 | 36 | 12 |
46 | New Mexico | 45.99 | 38 | 45 | 33 |
47 | Washington | 45.81 | 48 | 23 | 24 |
48 | Mississippi | 45.33 | 9 | 50 | 47 |
49 | Louisiana | 44.54 | 24 | 46 | 48 |
50 | Kentucky | 42.46 | 36 | 41 | 45 |