in

15 Worst Places to Retire in the U.S.

“Cook Inlet, City of Anchorage, and the Chugach Mountains” by Mark VanDyke Photography is licensed under CC BY-ND 2.0

When planning for retirement, choosing the right location can significantly impact your quality of life. High costs of living, elevated taxes, limited healthcare access, extreme weather, or high crime rates can make some cities a difficultchoice for those on a fixed income. Here’s a look at 15 of the worst places to retire in the U.S.

New York, New York

wide angle photo of Brooklyn Bridge under cloudy sky
Photo by Patrick Tomasso on Unsplash

New York City is often cited as one of the worst places to retire because of its high cost of living, expensive housing, and high tax rates. Retirees face financial challenges with costly healthcare and high state and local taxes, making it difficult to manage expenses on a fixed income. Despite its cultural attractions, New York’s expense levels often overshadow its appeal for retirees.

Los Angeles, California

a view of a city from the top of a hill
Photo by Peter Thomas on Unsplash

Los Angeles offers has a warm climate, but the city’s high cost of living, traffic congestion, and tax burden create barriers for retirees. California also imposes relatively high-income taxes, and Los Angeles ranks as one of the most expensive cities in the U.S., making everyday costs and housing difficult to manage for retirees on a limited budget.

San Francisco, California

“Golden Gate Bridge from Baker Beach – San Francisco, California” by Trodel is licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0

San Francisco is known for its scenic views and tech industry presence, but it’s also infamous for high housing costs and taxes. Property values are among the highest in the country, and combined with significant local taxes, they drive up the cost of living, making San Francisco less affordable for many retirees.

Chicago, Illinois

“Chicago, Illinois, USA” by pom’. is licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0

Chicago’s high property taxes, sales taxes, and state income taxes make it less appealing for retirees. Although it offers cultural and recreational amenities, harsh winters and elevated crime rates add to the city’s drawbacks. Additionally, the high cost of healthcare in Chicago can be challenging for retirees who rely heavily on medical services.

Miami, Florida

a blue and yellow lifeguard tower on a beach
Photo by Dmitry Mashkin on Unsplash

Miami’s high cost of living, intense summer heat, and elevated risk of hurricanes make it a challenging place to retire. While Florida is a tax-friendly state for retirees, the cost of housing in Miami can be prohibitively high, and property insurance rates can soar due to frequent storms in the area.

Seattle, Washington

“Space Needle – Seattle, Washington” by Dougtone is licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0

Seattle has beautiful scenery, but the city’s high cost of living and housing market challenges create financial burdens for retirees. Washington has no income tax, but Seattle’s property and sales taxes are high. The cost of healthcare is also above average, and the city’s cloudy, rainy climate can be unappealing for retirees seeking sunnier, warmer locations.

Washington, D.C.

“Washington D.C.: Pennsylvania Avenue & United States Capitol” by Traveller-Reini is licensed under CC BY-NC-SA 2.0

The nation’s capital is known for its historical significance, but high taxes, expensive housing, and overall cost of living make it less suitable for retirees. Additionally, the cost of healthcare is among the highest in the nation, and the area’s congested traffic and extreme weather swings can be challenging for older adults.

Boston, Massachusetts

“Boston, Massachusetts, USA” by dconvertini is licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0

Boston is rich in history and cultural institutions, but it has some of the highest housing costs and taxes in the country.The overall cost of living is well above the national average, and Massachusetts also has high healthcare costs. Winters in Boston can be long and harsh, making it less ideal for retirees seeking a more temperate climate.

Honolulu, Hawaii

a body of water with land around it
Photo by Walter Martin on Unsplash

Honolulu offers a tropical paradise, but the high cost of living, expensive real estate, and geographic isolation can be challenging for retirees. Hawaii’s remote location means that many goods and services, including healthcare, come at a premium. The island’s high cost of essentials and imported goods make it difficult for retirees to maintain a comfortable lifestyle on a fixed income.

Anchorage, Alaska

“Anchorage, Alaska” by The Hike Guy is licensed under CC BY-NC 2.0

While Anchorage has stunning natural beauty, Alaska’s extreme weather, high cost of living, and limited access to healthcare can be daunting for retirees. Winters are particularly harsh, with long, dark days and sub-zero temperatures. Plus, goods are also more expensive there due to transportation costs, and healthcare services are often limited and difficult to access in remote areas.

San Diego, California

“San Diego” by talksrealfast is licensed under CC BY-NC-SA 2.0

San Diego’s sunny climate is attractive, but high housing costs and property taxes make it difficult for retirees to afford. Healthcare in San Diego is also costly, and while the weather is appealing, the overall cost of living is significantly higher than the national average, which can strain a fixed retirement income.

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

“Philadelphia City Hall, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States” by Billy Wilson Photography is licensed under CC BY-NC 2.0

Philadelphia’s high taxes, elevated crime rate, and aging infrastructure make it less appealing to retirees. Pennsylvania’s property taxes and the cost of healthcare can be burdensome, and some areas experience higher crime rates than average. Additionally, winters in Philadelphia can be harsh, which may be uncomfortable for retirees looking for warmer conditions.

Las Vegas, Nevada

welcome to fabulous las vegas nevada signage
Photo by David Lusvardi on Unsplash

Las Vegas is popular for entertainment, but it has a high cost of healthcare, extreme summer heat, and some challenges with crime. Nevada has no state income tax, which is beneficial, but healthcare is above average in cost, and retirees may find the desert climate overly harsh. Crime in certain neighborhoods is also a concern for retirees.

Baltimore, Maryland

“Emerson Bromo-Seltzer Tower, Downtown Baltimore, Maryland” by Ken Lund is licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0

Baltimore struggles with high crime rates, property taxes, and healthcare costs, making it less ideal for retirees. Maryland taxes retirement income and the property tax rate is higher than average. Baltimore’s infrastructure and elevated crime levels in specific areas can create safety concerns, and the city’s cold winters may not appeal to retirees.

Portland, Oregon

“Portland, Oregon” by Ben Amstutz is licensed under CC BY-NC 2.0

Portland is known for its green spaces and art scene, but high living costs, unpredictable weather, and state taxes on retirement income make it challenging for retirees. Oregon’s state income tax is higher than average, and healthcare costs in Portland are significant. The rainy, gray weather may also be unappealing to those looking for a sunnier retirement destination.

Written by Lisa O

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *