6. Texas
Cost of living: 10 percent below U.S. average
Population: 27.0 million
Best city: San Marcos
PRO: The cost of living here is below the national average, and seniors’ average income is pretty good too. There is not a high-income tax in Texas, and there are a number of pretty cool cities such as Dallas and Austin.
Texas
CON: Texas is pretty affordable overall, except when it comes to healthcare, which is obviously an important consideration for most retirees. There are also extremely high poverty rates in Texas, coming in 6th highest (10.8 percent!) in a ranking of senior poverty rates in the U.S.
5. Louisiana
Cost of living: 10 percent below U.S. average
Population: 4.6 million
Best city: Baton Rouge
PRO: There are lots of things to do and see in Louisiana, which can keep you quite active in your retirement years if that is what you are looking for, as well as low living costs which makes things much more affordable. New Orleans and Baton Rouge are great music and tourist attractions, the famous cuisine, and the wonder of nature here such as the swamps, make it a place full of adventures.
Louisiana
CON: Although the cost of living is low here, the incomes are too. For the 65 plus the average income is $50,744, making things like healthcare – set at 2.1 percent above the national average – difficult to afford for some.
