These are the best and worst states to retire in: Where did NY, NJ, CT rank?

Considering retiring in New York, New Jersey or Connecticut? You may change your mind based on these 2025 rankings.

JUMP TO: NEW YORK l NEW JERSEY l CONNECTICUT l FULL LIST

Dig deeper:

WalletHub came out with their 2025 list of the "Best and Worst States to Retire." The website compared the 50 states across 46 key indicators of retirement-friendliness, from financial factors such as tax rates and the cost of living to things like access to quality medical care and fun activities.

Source: WalletHub

Tri-State area rankings

Local perspective:

Here's a look at how New York, New Jersey and Connecticut ranked:

New York

  • Overall rank: 35
  • Total score: 49.58
  • Affordability rank: 47
  • Quality of life rank: 10
  • Health care rank: 11

New Jersey

  • Overall rank: 45
  • Total score: 46.36
  • Affordability rank: 46
  • Quality of life rank: 36
  • Health care rank: 12

Connecticut

  • Overall rank: 29
  • Total score: 51.52
  • Affordability rank: 45
  • Quality of life rank: 17
  • Health care rank: 6

What they're saying:

"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," WalletHub analyst Chip Lupo said. "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."

Full list

Big picture view:

Here's a look at the full list:

1. Florida

2. Minnesota 

3. Colorado 

4. Wyoming 

5. South Dakota 

6. Pennsylvania 

7. New Hampshire 

8. Delaware 

9. North Dakota 

10. Wisconsin

11. Virginia

12. North Carolina

13. Missouri

14. Alaska

15. Maine

16. Iowa

17. Vermont

18. Utah

19. Ohio

20. South Carolina

21. California

22. Montana

23. Massachusetts

24. Idaho

25. Michigan

26. Texas

27. Nebraska

28. Nevada

29. Connecticut

30. Arizona

31. Kansas

32. Georgia

33. Oklahoma

34. Illinois

35. New York

36. Maryland

37. Alabama

38. Tennessee

39. Oregon

40. Indiana

41. Hawaii

42. Arkansas

43. West Virginia

44. Rhode Island

45. New Jersey

46. New Mexico

47. Washington

48. Mississippi

49. Louisiana

50. Kentucky 

New York