South Carolina among best states to retire in 2024, report says

(NewsNation) — Delaware was the first state to ratify the U.S. Constitution in 1787 and according to a new report, it's first again, topping this year's list of best states to retire.

Although you may not think of it as a retirement haven, a Bankrate analysis found Delaware strikes the best balance between affordability, climate and cultural amenities.

"While Delaware is a pricier state to live in, the state's high-quality healthcare, light tax burden, affordable homeowners insurance and good weather propelled it to the top spot this year," Bankrate Analyst Alex Gailey said in a statement.

Another upside: Delaware has one of the nation's highest percentages of residents 62 and older, a plus for retirees looking for community.

Bankrate based its 2024 rankings on five criteria: Affordability, overall well-being, quality and cost of health care, weather and crime.

West Virginia came in second overall thanks to its best-in-the-nation affordability. However, the Mountain State took a hit on health care where it ranked dead last.

Georgia and South Carolina improved on their 2023 ranking and moved into third and fourth slots after scoring better on affordability. Missouri also cracked the top five due to its low cost of living.

Florida – a state that many Americans associate with the golden years – ranked eighth on Bankrate's list.

One of the Sunshine State's downsides is the soaring cost of homeowner's insurance, which is the highest in the nation. Residents in warm states could also face higher electric bills in the years ahead, the report noted.

Meanwhile, high-cost-of-living states like Alaska, New York, Washington and California are the worst places to retire, according to Bankrate.

It's the second year in a row Alaska has brought up the rear, ranking near the bottom in affordability, health care, weather and crime.

California, which has some of the highest taxes and housing costs in the country, finished 47th overall and last in affordability. A separate Bankrate analysis earlier this year found that aspiring homeowners need to make nearly $200,000 a year to afford the typical home in California. In cities like San Francisco and San Jose, that number is closer to $380,000, Redfin data suggests.

As for health care, the average 65-year-old can expect to spend an average of $157,500 throughout retirement, according to a 2023 Fidelity analysis. In that category, western states fare much better. Idaho, Colorado, Washington, Utah and Oregon topped Bankrate's list when it comes to the quality and cost of medical care.

The 10 best states to retire in 2024, according to Bankrate:

1. Delaware

2. West Virginia

3. Georgia

4. South Carolina

5. Missouri

6. Mississippi

7. Pennsylvania

8. Florida

9. Iowa

10. Wyoming

The 10 worst states to retire in 2024, according to Bankrate:

1. Alaska

2. New York

3. Washington

4. California

5. North Dakota

6. Massachusetts

7. Colorado

8. Maryland

9. Texas

10. Minnesota