10. Alaska
Cost of living: 32 percent above U.S. average
Population: 737,438 (as of 2018, U.S. Census Bureau)
Best city: Anchorage, says Yahoo! Finance
PRO: Kiplinger actually rates Alaska as a good state to retire in, as it is quite tax-friendly, but it seems that not that many retirees take advantage of this as Alaska’s senior population is quite small.
Alaska
CON: According to Kiplinger, living costs are quite high here; at 32 percent higher than the national average, as well as high healthcare costs. And if you want to retire in a lively big city, then Alaska is not the state for you.
9. Maryland
Cost of living: 17 percent above U.S. average
Population: 6.0 million
Best city: Chevy Chase Village
PRO: This state’s average household income for over 65s is ranked second highest in the U.S., averaging at about $70,874. The big city Baltimore lies in Maryland, and it is not far at all from the exciting sights of Washington D.C.
Maryland
CON: Although it is true that individuals earn more money here than in the rest of the U.S., that income is heavily taxed in this state. Although social security is not taxed here, distributions from individual retirement accounts are, as well as there being an inheritance and estate tax.
