3 Key Signs You’re Retiring in the Wrong State — and Don’t Know It Yet
Written by
Josephine Nesbit
Edited by
Zuri Anderson
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You can retire in any state you want, but not every state gives you the financial stability or lifestyle you expect.
According to a study by HireAHelper, few people moved specifically to retire in 2024, but 32.2% of those who did move relocated to a different state. This is nearly twice the rate of the average American mover.
And while many were motivated by health, family or housing needs, those factors often play a major role in retirement planning, as well. When a state no longer supports someone’s budget, care needs or daily life, relocating can be one way to protect your quality of life and long-term stability.
Here are three key signs you’re retiring in the wrong state.
Your Monthly Costs Feel Higher Than They Should Be
A survey conducted by The Senior Citizens League found that 27% of older Americans rely solely on Social Security for their income. Considering the estimated average monthly check for a retired worker was about $2,008 as of August 2025, according to the Social Security Administration, that leaves very little room for higher housing costs, rising taxes or unexpected expenses in a more expensive state.
For example, in California, monthly payments for a newly purchased mid-tier home recently topped $5,500, the California Legislative Analyst’s Office (LAO) reported. This is more than twice what comparable U.S. homes cost on average. In this situation, a $2,000 monthly Social Security check falls short almost immediately.
Getting Long-Term Care in Your State Is Complicated
Long-term care is another big factor that can determine whether a state is retirement-friendly. The differences between two nearby states can also be dramatic.
For instance, some states offer in-home Medicaid programs that help older adults age in place, while others have limited services, strict caps or long waiting lists that make it nearly impossible to get help when needed.
Evan H. Farr, a certified elder law attorney who practices in Virginia, Maryland and Washington, D.C. with Farr Law Firm, explained that this alone can make or break someone’s ability to remain in the home as they age.
“Maryland is by far one of the worst states in the country to retire in because [what] they have is basically nonexistent in-home Medicaid program,” Farr wrote in an email. “They have an absurdly long waiting list of between five and 15 years, and by the time most people realize they have to put their name on the waiting list/registry, they already are in need of nursing home-level care, so it’s too late for them.”
By contrast, nearby Virginia and Washington, D.C., offer significantly more support, Farr noted. In Virginia, someone who needs nursing-home-level care can age in place and receive a soft cap of eight hours per day of in-home care covered by Medicaid, provided they qualify financially. Washington, D.C., offers a soft cap of sixteen hours per day of in-home care, and both Virginia and D.C. have no waiting list for these programs.
Your State Doesn’t Fit the Lifestyle You Want in Retirement
Not every state will provide the exact lifestyle you want in retirement.
“One of the biggest benefits of retirement is freedom. You’re no longer tied to a job, so you can live wherever it makes the most sense for your lifestyle and your finances,” explained Rob Edwards, managing director and senior PIM portfolio manager at Edwards Asset Management.
“And for a lot of people in high-tax northern states, they start asking themselves: ‘Is the life I have here worth the costs?'”
That’s often when people start looking for states that better match their goals.
“That’s a big reason why Florida continues to attract retirees. You get year-round sunshine,retirement-focused communities and great tax benefits. It gives people a better lifestyle and a better chance to enjoy all of what they’ve built,” Edwards added.
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