Don’t want to deal with freezing winter weather in retirement? It’s time to embrace a snowbird retiree lifestyle and relocate to a state with warmer weather.
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According to a recent study conducted by Florida Rentals, 15 states have been identified as the best for snowbird retirees. Four metrics (population, sales tax, cost of living and weather) were all utilized to determine each state’s ranking.
Readers can find the full weather breakdown on the Florida Rentals website, which covers temperature and humidity. For this piece, we focused on including each state’s population for ages 65 and over, state and local tax rates, as well as average cost of living, housing and food monthly. Not surprisingly, Florida came out on top in first place, and received a final score of 88.19.
Here’s how all 15 states ranked as the best for snowbird retirees.
1. Florida
- Population ages 65+ (%): 21.6%
- State tax rate: 6%
- Average local tax rate: 1%
- Combined tax rate (state and local): 7%
- Average cost of living per month: $3,376
- Average cost of housing per month: $1,420
- Average cost of food per month: $328
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2. South Carolina
- Population ages 65+ (%): 19.1%
- State tax rate: 6%
- Average local tax rate: 1.5%
- Combined tax rate (state and local): 7.5%
- Average cost of living per month: $2,902
- Average cost of housing per month: $1,060
- Average cost of food per month: $328
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3. New Mexico
- Population ages 65+ (%): 19.2%
- State tax rate: 4.88%
- Average local tax rate: 2.74%
- Combined tax rate (state and local): 7.62%
- Average cost of living per month: $2,875
- Average cost of housing per month: $1,012
- Average cost of food per month: $378
4. Arizona
- Population ages 65+ (%): 18.8%
- State tax rate: 5.6%
- Average local tax rate: 2.78%
- Combined tax rate (state and local): 8.38%
- Average cost of living per month: $3,321
- Average cost of housing per month: $1,380
- Average cost of food per month: $398
5. Mississippi
- Population ages 65+ (%): 17.5%
- State tax rate: 7%
- Average local tax rate: 0.06%
- Combined tax rate (state and local): 7.06%
- Average cost of living per month: $2,695
- Average cost of housing per month: $871
- Average cost of food per month: $318
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6. Arkansas
- Population ages 65+ (%): 17.7%
- State tax rate: 6.5%
- Average local tax rate: 2.95%
- Combined tax rate (state and local): 9.45%
- Average cost of living per month: $2,748
- Average cost of housing per month: $907
- Average cost of food per month: $312
7. Oklahoma
- Population ages 65+ (%): 16.5%
- State tax rate: 4.5%
- Average local tax rate: 4.49%
- Combined tax rate (state and local): 8.99%
- Average cost of living per month: $2,831
- Average cost of housing per month: $977
- Average cost of food per month: $307
8. Hawaii
- Population ages 65+ (%): 20.5%
- State tax rate: 4%
- Average local tax rate: 0.5%
- Combined tax rate (state and local): 4.5%
- Average cost of living per month: $4,624
- Average cost of housing per month: $2,059
- Average cost of food per month: $491
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9. Alabama
- Population ages 65+ (%): 18%
- State tax rate: 4%
- Average local tax rate: 5.29%
- Combined tax rate (state and local): 9.29%
- Average cost of living per month: $2,805
- Average cost of housing per month: $942
- Average cost of food per month: $315
10. North Carolina
- Population ages 65+ (%): 17.4%
- State tax rate: 4.75%
- Average local tax rate: 2.25%
- Combined tax rate (state and local): 7%
- Average cost of living per month: $3,059
- Average cost of housing per month: $1,165
- Average cost of food per month: $324
11. Louisiana
- Population ages 65+ (%): 17%
- State tax rate: 4.45%
- Average local tax rate: 5.11%
- Combined tax rate (state and local): 9.56%
- Average cost of living per month: $2,965
- Average cost of housing per month: $1,014
- Average cost of food per month: $311
12. Delaware
- Population ages 65+ (%): 20.8%
- State tax rate: 0%
- Average local tax rate: 0%
- Combined tax rate (state and local): 0%
- Average cost of living per month: $3,699
- Average cost of housing per month: $1,388
- Average cost of food per month: $337
13. Texas
- Population ages 65+ (%): 13.4%
- State tax rate: 6.25%
- Average local tax rate: 1.95%
- Combined tax rate (state and local): 8.2%
- Average cost of living per month: $3,132
- Average cost of housing per month: $1,373
- Average cost of food per month: $310
14. Georgia
- Population ages 65+ (%): 15.1%
- State tax rate: 4%
- Average local tax rate: 3.38%
- Combined tax rate (state and local): 7.38%
- Average cost of living per month: $3,229
- Average cost of housing per month: $1,319
- Average cost of food per month: $324
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15. Kansas
- Population ages 65+ (%): 17.2%
- State tax rate: 6.5%
- Average local tax rate: 2.15%
- Combined tax rate (state and local): 8.65%
- Average cost of living per month: $2,932
- Average cost of housing per month: $1,095
- Average cost of food per month: $324
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This article originally appeared on GOBankingRates.com: 15 Best States for Snowbird Retirees — See Why Florida Ranks First
