Baby boomers are people born between 1946 and 1964, and they make up 20.58% of America’s population. Many, if not most, are now 60 or above, with many of them retired. Baby boomers prefer to live the rest of their lives peacefully in a state that is affordable and offers good healthcare. Unfortunately, not all states meet their needs, so here are ten states baby boomers should avoid if they want to live stress-free in their golden years.
NEW YORK
New York is the most expensive city in the world. This is not the state for baby boomers unless they are ultra-rich. The average monthly rent in NYC for a single-bedroom house is $4331, and the median selling price of a home is $800000.
Apart from this, baby boomers who want to get away from the bustle of urban life should definitely avoid New York. The state is filled with people and is the epicenter of everything from startups to entertainment. New York is the most populated state in the U.S., with over 20 million people living in its metropolitan area alone.
It should also be noted that for baby boomers to live comfortably in New York, they need $14,52,383, but the average savings is only $2,07,889.
KENTUCKY
Kentucky, known for its famous Moonshine, horse racing, and coal, has a relatively low cost of living of $40816, but it is highly advisable for baby boomers to steer clear of the state because of its low quality of life. Healthcare services in Kentucky were ranked 44th in the U.S. The state has only 235.6 active physicians per 100,000 residents, making it hard for baby boomers to get the needed healthcare.
According to Wallethub, Kentucky is the worst state to retire in. The site ranked Kentucky 50, which means it should be the last state one considers retiring in.
Baby boomers need $1,182,077 to live the rest of their lives in Kentucky, but their average balance is $441757.
MISSISSIPPI
Mississippi has been ranked as one of the worst states for retirement due to its lack of affordability, quality of life, and healthcare.
Healthcare is one of the priorities for baby boomers, and Mississippi has the worst healthcare. The state has the lowest life expectancy, and 54% of the state’s hospitals were closed, causing a lack of access to healthcare.
Mississippi has high poverty rates, with 18.7% of its population in poverty. To live comfortably in Mississippi, baby boomers need $1148614, but the balance is only $347884.
FLORIDA
Florida, the “Sunshine State” of America is the third most populous state in the U.S. and ranks eighth in population density. Despite being a preferred retirement destination, baby boomers should steer clear of Florida.
The name “sunshine state” doesn’t always hold true; Florida faces numerous devastating natural disasters, such as hurricanes and floods. These can cause potential displacement, and residents must keep paying higher amounts to cover hurricane or flood insurance premiums.
Apart from this, any baby boomer who wants to avoid crowds and too many people should avoid the state. Approximately 137.6 million tourists visit Florida annually, making it the “most visited state.”
Baby boomers need $1345295 to live comfortably in Florida, but their average retirement balance is only $428,997.
LOUISIANA
Louisiana, situated on the Gulf of Mexico, was a former French colony with deep French roots, which can be seen in the state’s culture and cuisine. Louisiana’s largest city, New Orleans, is known for its Mardi Gras festival.
Despite the state’s low taxation and vibrant culture, baby boomers should avoid this state. Louisiana has extremely high crime rates; the state has the second highest crime rate in the U.S. and was ranked as the fifth state in the U.S. with the most aggravated assault incidents.
Louisiana is also the second most expensive state for healthcare, with an average annual premium costing $6695.67. Due to the high costs, 11.8% of adult residents couldn’t see a doctor.
CALIFORNIA
California, often known as the ‘Golden State,’ is the most populous state in the U.S. It is known for being home to Silicon Valley and Hollywood. Due to this, prices are inflated here, and the state is one of the most expensive states for homeowners, with a median selling price of $816800.
California taxes retirement income except social security and Tier 1 Railroad benefits. The average sales tax is 8.851%, and the average income tax is 10.94%.
Baby boomers will need $1,482,796 to live comfortably in retirement, but the average retirement balance is only $452135.
RHODE ISLAND
Rhode Island is nicknamed “Little Rhody” for its small size and beautiful coastline. Despite its beauty, WalletHub ranks it as the fourth worst state to retire in.
The state has high tax rates, making it hard for baby boomers to settle here. Rhode Island taxes most of retirement income, including pension and social security (which are partially taxable). The median property selling price is $463900, and the effective property tax rate is 1.30%, making it one of the fifteenth highest property tax rates in the U.S.
Wall Street ranks Rhode Island as one of the worst states for baby boomers; the state has a 9% poverty rate.
TENNESSEE
Tennessee, home to famous cities like Nashville and Memphis, is ranked as one of the worst states for baby boomers by Wall Street.
Tennessee is ranked 44th in health care, and one in three adults experiences struggles to pay medical bills.
Baby boomers should put Tennessee on top of their list of states to avoid, especially because of its crime rate. The FBI ranks Tennessee as one of the most dangerous states in the country, with a crime rate of 672.7 per 100,000 people.
In addition, baby boomers need $1205023 to retire comfortably, but the average retirement balance is $376476.
NEW JERSEY
New Jersey, nicknamed the “Diner capital of the world,” is famous for its lakes, mountains, the Jersey shore, and Atlantic City.
WalletHub ranked New Jersey as the second-worst state for retirement based on its affordability (49), quality of life (35), and health care (20).
The average cost of living in New Jersey is 9.2% higher than the national average, and the median selling price of property is $500000 as of March 2024. Apart from high property prices, the state also has a high property tax rate of 2.47%, which is the highest in the U.S. New Jersey also taxes retirement and has a death tax, which means living relatives of a deceased person will need to pay tax for any property inherited.
To live comfortably in New Jersey, baby boomers need $1447011, but the average retirement balance is only $514245.
ALABAMA
Alabama, the “Heart of Dixie ” and nicknamed the “Yellowhammer State,” boasts diverse landscapes, from coastal beaches to the mysteriously scenic hills of the Appalachian Mountains.
Wall Street report ranks Alabama as one of the ten worst states for baby boomers, with more than 16% of the state’s population living in poverty.
One of the primary reasons baby boomers should avoid Alabama is its bad healthcare. Alabama ranked second worst for healthcare in the U.S., with the lowest number of physicians—1.36 per 10,000 residents.
Baby boomers need $1168013 to retire comfortably in Alabama, but the average retirement balance is only $395563.
