8. Oregon
Cost of living: 18 percent above U.S. average
Population: 4 million
Best city: Gold Beach
CON: Oregon is not particularly tax-friendly, and although Social Security is exempt, retirement income is not, and seniors’ income is not very high at about $45K. At 9.9 percent, the state also has one of the highest state income tax rates in the United States.
Oregon
PRO: A retired couple in this state will usually pay 2.6 percent less than the nation’s average for healthcare. As long as you don’t mind the eight-month rainy season, there is a lot of beautiful nature to enjoy here.
7. South Carolina
Cost of living: 7 percent below U.S. average
Population: 4.8 million
Best city: Bluffton
CON: Although the weather is generally pretty mild, summers can get rather hot with high levels of humidity in this Southern state. The standard of health in the state is not particularly great, with many smokers, high levels of obesity, and low consumption of vegetables.
South Carolina
PRO: South Carolina is another state which has pretty mild weather throughout the year, beautiful beaches and scenery. It is pretty affordable with living costs at 7 percent less than the national average, and taxes that are friendly to retirement incomes; this state is a pretty attractive retirement destination.
