Poppy Bilderbeck
The best states to retire in 2026 according to quality of life and cost of living have been revealed and the list may surprise you.
Like me, you may only be in your twenties but already gazing ahead into the future of when you'll finally be able to retire and not sit behind a desk, staring at a computer suffering, from an aching neck every day. Alas, that is many years away.
For the lucky ones among us who have already sailed through having to scurry onto a sweaty subway and stand inside a stinking armpit an unholy number of times a week, the decision looms as to where to spend what some argue are the best years of your life.
And WalletHub has since revealed the official 'best and worst states to retire', comparing the 50 states 'across 46 key indicators of retirement-friendliness'.
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The report takes into consideration factors like affordability, such as tax rates and cost of living. Quality of life, such as weighing up the array of local activities on offer should you get bored without your 9-to-5, alongside health care.
And in a surprise to some, despite typically being considered the best state for retirement in the US, Florida has been knocked from its top spot.
But who is on the list and where does the previous victor currently stand?
Sneaking into spot number three is South Dakota.
While it only comes in at number 15 for affordability and 25 for quality of life, it's fourth position in the health care ranking is strong.
The state is praised for its 'taxpayer-friendly conditions', alongside 'no estate or inheritance taxes' either.
Boasting 'the second-best geriatrics hospitals in the country,' and featuring the 'second-lowest share of seniors experiencing frequent mental distress,' it certainly doesn't seem like a bad place to be.
Add in 'a clean and natural environment,' 'the 13th-lowest poverty rate for residents ages 65+ and the fourth-lowest percentage of seniors who have faced hunger in the past 12 months'. What more could you want?
Despite being knocked off the top spot, low taxes, no estate, inheritance or income tax, it's no wonder so many retirees end up in Florida and dust off their golf game.
And up there as one of the top states to access more funding per senior for 'things like transportation, homemaker assistance and nutrition programs', if you retire here, you'll be pretty sorted.
With swathes of beaches, multiple theater companies, golf courses and country clubs galore, you'll feel like you've been dropped straight into 1980's Caddyshack.
Alas, knocking the state off the top spot was caused by its overall cost of living being pretty high.
Giving way to the top state to retire in 2026...
Coming in the top spot is Wyoming, 'in large part due to affordability reasons,' WalletHub notes.
With a cost of living more affordable 'than half the nation,' the state - similarly to the ones above - has no estate or inheritance tax.
The state fights hard to protect elderly residents against financial and physical harm, has 'the fifth-lowest violent crime rate' and a good sense of community, with many people offering to do favors for their neighbors - ranking 14th among 50 for these acts of kindness.
Other states to rank highly include Colorado in spot four, Minnesota in spot five and Alaska in sixth place.
If you want to know where to avoid? Well, Kentucky came out in last place, Oklahoma in 49th and Mississippi in 48th.