41. New Hampshire
Cost of living: 18 percent above the U.S. average
Population: 1.3 million
Best city: Gilford
PRO: New Hampshire is relatively tax-friendly, according to Kiplinger. The state doesn’t tax any retirement income, as well as ranking fifth in senior healthcare (United Health Foundation). It also has beautiful picturesque New England scenery.
CON: Those beautiful landscapes are costly though! The cost of living in New Hampshire is not exactly low, and in fact, is quite high when compared to the national average living costs in the U.S. but it may even out with the tax breaks. Also worth considering are the humid summers and the cold winters.
NEXT: There are more “ghost towns” in this state than any other in the U.S.
40. Oregon
Cost of living: 18 percent above U.S. average
Population: 4 million
Best city: Gold Beach
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.
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.
NEXT: The poet of mystery and macabre, Edgar Allan Poe, is from here.