Advertiser Disclosure
GOBankingRates works with many financial advertisers to showcase their products and services to our audiences. These brands compensate us through a variety of commercial arrangements, including advertising placements and performance-based compensation, such as when users click on links, submit applications, open accounts, or fund accounts. This compensation may impact how and where products appear on this site but does not affect the content of any product review or rating. We are not a comparison tool, and these offers do not represent all available deposit, investment, loan, or credit products.
10 Best States To Retire in for Affordability in 2023
Written by
Heather Taylor
Edited by
Somnia Keesey

Commitment to Our Readers
GOBankingRates' editorial team is committed to bringing you unbiased reviews and information. We use data-driven methodologies to evaluate financial products and services - our reviews and ratings are not influenced by advertisers. You can read more about our editorial guidelines and our products and services review methodology.
20 YearsHelping You Live Richer
Reviewed by Experts
Trusted by Millions of Readers
There are several noteworthy states across the United States where it’s safe to retire or where retirees can live on just a Social Security check.Â
What about the most affordable states for retirees? To identify these states, WalletHub compared the 50 U.S. states across three key dimensions. These include affordability, quality of life and healthcare. Affordability, at 40 total points, factored in the adjusted cost of living and general tax friendliness among other key retiree-specific factors. For this piece, we’re focusing on just affordability and the cities that are in the top 10, but you’ll also get information on the quality of life and healthcare. If you’re retiring in 2023, check out these 10 affordable states.
10. Mississippi
- Affordability: 10
- Quality of life: 50
- Healthcare: 48
- Total Score: 40.80
9. Florida
- Affordability: 9
- Quality of life: 4
- Healthcare: 28
- Total Score: 57.43
8. Arkansas
- Affordability: 8
- Quality of life: 49
- Healthcare: 44
- Total Score: 44.73
7. Georgia
- Affordability: 7
- Quality of life: 40
- Healthcare: 42
- Total Score: 48.58
6. Delaware
- Affordability: 6
- Quality of life: 33
- Healthcare: 18
- Total Score: 55.49
5. Wyoming
- Affordability: 5
- Quality of life: 9
- Healthcare: 38
- Total Score: 55.60
4. South Carolina
- Affordability: 4
- Quality of life: 38
- Healthcare: 39
- Total Score: 52.06
3. West Virginia
- Affordability: 3
- Quality of life: 43
- Healthcare: 49
- Total Score: 46.44
2. Tennessee
- Affordability: 2
- Quality of life: 48
- Healthcare: 45
- Total Score: 47.16
1. Alabama
- Affordability: 1
- Quality of life: 44
- Healthcare: 50
- Total Score: 50.65
Share This Article:
You May Also Like
Dave Ramsey: 5 Money Habits That Could Do Major Retirement Damage After 50
April 13, 2026
2 min Read
4 Out-of-the-Box Ways the Government Can Fix the Looming Social Security Shortfall
April 14, 2026
2 min Read
I Asked ChatGPT When Is the Best Time for Retirees To Take RMDs -- Here's What It Said
April 10, 2026
2 min Read
This Is the 'Real' Retirement Age in America -- Do You Have Enough Saved To Be Comfortable?
April 10, 2026
2 min Read
15 Places Retirees on Social Security Can Afford That Have No State Income Tax
April 10, 2026
2 min Read
Iran War Volatility Puts Near-Retirees at Risk: Why 'Staying the Course' Fails Now
April 10, 2026
2 min Read
Delaying Retirement Might Not Be Your Only Option If You Need To Boost Savings
April 08, 2026
2 min Read
- How Long Will My Money Last?
- How Much Do You Need To Retire?
- How To Prepare For Retirement
- How To Save For Retirement Without A 401K
Learn More About Early Retirement Planning
Make your money work for you
Get the latest news on investing, money, and more with our free newsletter.
By subscribing, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. Unsubscribe at any time.

Thanks!
You're now subscribed to our newsletter.
Check your inbox for more details.

Sending you timely financial stories that you can bank on.
Sign up for our daily newsletter for the latest financial news and trending topics.
For our full Privacy Policy, click here.
Looks like you're using an adblocker
Please disable your adblocker to enjoy the optimal web experience and access the quality content you appreciate from GOBankingRates.
- AdBlock / uBlock / Brave
- Click the ad blocker extension icon to the right of the address bar
- Disable on this site
- Refresh the page
- Firefox / Edge / DuckDuckGo
- Click on the icon to the left of the address bar
- Disable Tracking Protection
- Refresh the page
- Ghostery
- Click the blue ghost icon to the right of the address bar
- Disable Ad-Blocking, Anti-Tracking, and Never-Consent
- Refresh the page





