Top 7 U.S. States for Retirement in 2026, Ranked by Healthcare, Housing, and More

The Motley Fool has released its retirement index for 2026, which highlights the best states in the U.S. for retirees based on a survey of 2,000 retirees and data from eight other sources. It considers seven factors, including healthcare, housing affordability, safety, climate, taxes, and quality of life, which looks at dining, walkability, and outdoor activities. Florida tops the list with a score of 70, thanks to its high climate score of 98 and safety score of 96, plus it doesn’t tax retirement income. However, insurance costs and hurricane threats are issues. California comes in second with a quality-of-life score of 100 but a low housing score of 10. Texas is third, with a climate score of 100 but healthcare access issues. Michigan and Wisconsin tie for fourth and fifth, focusing on affordability but lower lifestyle ratings. Ohio and Pennsylvania are tied for sixth, with Ohio excelling in living costs and Pennsylvania not taxing Social Security. The index shows how each state balances financial and lifestyle factors differently.