Best States Retirement 2011
Best States Retirement 2011. Lists of best places to retire are a popular mainstay of personal finance journalism. Here at we’ve published our share, producing rosters focusing on favored locations for retirees seeking an active lifestyle, a foreign residence and even, in the U.S., an urban neighborhood.
Economic factors: Cost of living is 92 percent of the national average, unemployment is at 8.8 percent, and the average state and local tax burden is 10.1 percent.
Climate: Average monthly temperatures range from 23.6 degrees in January to 66.24 degrees in July.
Crime rate: 43rd in the nation in violent crime, 45th in property crime.
Life expectancy: 77.9 years
Reason for high rank: With its low crime rates, this is a great state if you are concerned about security, and the cost of living is cheap as well. Just watch out for the climate and the tax burden -- both can be a little rough.
Economic factors: Cost of living is 97 percent of the national average, unemployment is at 6 percent, and the average state and local tax burden is 10.3 percent.
Climate: Average monthly temperatures range from 16.41 degrees in January to 67.38 degrees in July.
Crime rate: 49th in the nation in violent crime, 44th in property crime.
Life expectancy: 78.2 years
Reason for high rank: If you like cooler weather, then you'll be able to appreciate Vermont for that plus its low crime rates and high life expectancy. The high tax burden is a drawback, however.
Economic factors: Cost of living is 126 percent of the national average, unemployment is at 8.9 percent, and the average state and local tax burden is 11.1 percent.
Climate: Average monthly temperatures range from 25.96 degrees in January to 71.52 degrees in July.
Crime rate: 41st in the nation in violent crime, 41st in property crime.
Life expectancy: 78.7 years
Reason for high rank: If you want to be reasonably close to a major metropolitan area like New York or Boston, but with lower crime rates, then Connecticut might be a good option. It isn't cheap though -- both the cost of living and the tax burden are on the high side.
Economic factors: Cost of living is 97 percent of the national average, unemployment is at 7.2 percent, and the average state and local tax burden is 9.6 percent.
Climate: Average monthly temperatures range from 25.93 degrees in January to 72.51 degrees in July.
Crime rate: 44th in the nation in violent crime, 19th in property crime.
Life expectancy: 78.7 years
Reason for high rank: Utah shapes up as the pick of the Southwestern states, on the strength of a low violent crime rate, moderate cost of living, and one of the highest life expectancies in the nation.
Economic factors: Cost of living is 99 percent of the national average, unemployment is at 7.0 percent, and the average state and local tax burden is 9.8 percent.
Climate: Average monthly temperatures range from 34.48 degrees in January to 75.10 degrees in July.
Crime rate: 40th in the nation in violent crime, 39th in property crime.
Life expectancy: 76.8 years
Reason for high rank: The mid-Atlantic coast region offers mild temperatures, and unlike some other states in the region, Virginia also features low crime rates and a relatively healthy economy.
Economic factors: Cost of living is 93 percent of the national average, unemployment is at 6.8 percent, and the average state and local tax burden is 9.3 percent.
Climate: Average monthly temperatures range from 17.84 degrees in January to 73.76 degrees in July.
Crime rate: 32nd in the nation in violent crime, 36th in property crime.
Life expectancy: 78.3 years
Reason for high rank: Iowa represents the Midwest well, with a combination of a low cost of living and a healthy economy, plus the life expectancy is fairly high.
Economic factors: Cost of living is 95 percent of the national average, unemployment is at 3.6 percent, and the average state and local tax burden is 9.2 percent.
Climate: Average monthly temperatures range from 7.9 degrees in January to 68.7 degrees in July.
Crime rate: 47th in the nation in violent crime, 49th in property crime.
Life expectancy: 78.3 years
Reason for high rank: One of the real surprises in this study, North Dakota's frigid climate must be healthy because life expectancy is among the highest in the nation. Also, North Dakota's crime rates are among the lowest in the US.
Economic factors: Cost of living is 91 percent of the national average, unemployment is at 4.4 percent, and the average state and local tax burden is 7.9 percent.
Climate: Average monthly temperatures range from 16.11 degrees in January to 72.47 degrees in July.
Crime rate: 46th in the nation in violent crime, 50th in property crime.
Life expectancy: 77.7 years
Reason for high rank: You might expect South Dakota to grade out similarly to North Dakota, and it has, but your dollar will go farther in South Dakota thanks to a lower cost of living and tax burden. Also, the climate is just a bit milder.
Economic factors: Cost of living is 167 percent of the national average, unemployment is at 6.3 percent, and the average state and local tax burden is 10.6 percent.
Climate: Average monthly temperatures range from 73 degrees in January and February to 82 degrees in August.
Crime rate: 39th in the nation in violent crime, 3rd in property crime.
Life expectancy: 80.0 years
Reason for high rank: A natural choice as a warm-weather site, Hawaii also features the highest life expectancy of any state. Make sure your retirement plan is well-funded, though: The cost of living is the highest in the U.S. Maybe you can't have everything in paradise.
Economic factors: Cost of living is 89 percent of the national average, unemployment is at 5.8 percent, and the average state and local tax burden is 7.6 percent.
Climate: Average monthly temperatures range from 18.17 degrees in January to 67.83 degrees in July.
Crime rate: 48th in the nation in violent crime, 48th in property crime.
Life expectancy: 78.3 years
Reason for high rank: For the frugal New Englander in you, New Hampshire's cost of living and tax burden are among the lowest in the U.S. Crime is also low, and life expectancy high. Just bring plenty of sensible clothes, because climate was the one criteria on which New Hampshire did not score well.
