Americans Over 60 Are Reportedly Crossing These 10 States Off Their Retirement Lists

Retirement planning is shifting in 2025 as older Americans weigh housing, taxes, health care, and climate risk more carefully than before. One recent roundup of states retirees are reportedly crossing off their lists highlights 10 places where cost and quality-of-life concerns are shaping those decisions.

Florida

Florida has long been a retirement magnet, but 2025 affordability numbers are changing the conversation for many people over 60. Realtor.com data published in 2025 showed median listing prices in many Florida metros remained well above pre-2020 levels, while insurance costs continued to rise after multiple years of storm losses.

Homeowners in Florida also face some of the highest property insurance pressures in the country. The Insurance Information Institute and state officials have repeatedly pointed to hurricane exposure and reinsurance costs as major drivers, especially after the 2022 and 2023 storm seasons.

For retirees on fixed incomes, that means monthly housing costs can rise even after a mortgage is paid off. In parts of South Florida, including Miami-Dade and Palm Beach counties, taxes, association fees, and insurance bills now weigh as heavily as home prices.

California

California remains attractive for weather and amenities, but many retirees are reportedly striking it from their lists because of cost. According to Zillow and state-level cost-of-living comparisons tracked in 2025, home values in coastal markets still sit far above the national median.

Taxes and daily expenses also play a role. The Tax Foundation has consistently ranked California among higher-tax states for income earners, and everyday categories like utilities, gasoline, and groceries have also remained expensive compared with many Sun Belt and Midwest alternatives.

For older adults considering a move, that can make the math difficult. A retiree comparing Sacramento, San Diego, and Fresno may find very different prices, but statewide housing and living-cost averages still put California out of reach for many middle-income households.

New York

New York is another state that often drops on retirement wish lists because of high living costs. Data from the U.S. Census Bureau and private housing trackers in 2024 and 2025 continued to show expensive housing markets across downstate communities and many suburban counties.

Property taxes are a major issue in many parts of the state. Tax Foundation comparisons and county-level tax bills have long shown that homeowners in places like Nassau, Suffolk, and Westchester can face annual tax burdens that are much higher than what retirees would see in lower-cost states.

That does not mean every part of New York is unaffordable. Smaller upstate cities can be less expensive, but statewide perception is still shaped by the New York City region and its surrounding suburbs, where housing, taxes, and health care costs can stack up quickly.

New Jersey

New Jersey regularly appears in retirement-cost discussions because of property taxes. WalletHub and Tax Foundation comparisons published in recent years have repeatedly placed New Jersey near the top for average property tax burden, a major concern for homeowners living on retirement savings.

Housing costs remain elevated in many commuter markets as well. Counties near New York City, including Bergen, Essex, and Monmouth, have seen home prices and carrying costs stay high, even as mortgage rates and inflation changed the wider U.S. housing picture in 2024 and 2025.

For retirees, the challenge is not just buying a home. Ongoing costs such as taxes, utilities, and health care can make New Jersey feel harder to manage than nearby alternatives like parts of Pennsylvania or Delaware, depending on household income and medical needs.

Hawaii

Hawaii draws strong interest for climate and scenery, but many retirees reportedly rule it out because of price. According to state and federal cost-of-living comparisons, Hawaii has consistently ranked among the most expensive states for groceries, electricity, and imported household goods.

Housing is another barrier. Zillow and local market reports have shown median home values in Honolulu and other island markets staying high relative to national benchmarks, while renters also face elevated monthly costs in a state with limited land and constrained supply.

Retirees also have to account for distance. For older Americans who want to stay close to adult children or specialized mainland medical care, Hawaii’s geographic isolation can become a practical concern, especially when air travel prices fluctuate during peak seasons.

Massachusetts

Massachusetts often scores well on health care and education, but retirees looking for lower costs may still cross it off. The state’s housing prices, especially around Greater Boston, remained high in 2025, according to data tracked by Zillow and local Realtor groups.

Medical access is a strength, with major systems such as Mass General Brigham and Boston Medical Center serving the region. Still, a strong hospital network does not offset every budget issue when home prices, rents, and basic expenses run above national averages.

That creates a mixed picture for people over 60. Someone prioritizing access to specialists may keep Massachusetts in the running, but a retiree focused on stretching savings may look instead at lower-cost states with decent regional hospital systems.

Illinois

Illinois makes some retirement-avoidance lists for a different reason: taxes and fiscal concerns. While the state does offer some tax breaks on retirement income, property taxes in many areas remain high, and Illinois has long faced public debate over pension obligations and government finances.

In counties around Chicago, including Lake, DuPage, and Cook, homeowners can face large annual tax bills. Those costs matter for retirees who may own their homes outright but still need to cover taxes, insurance, utilities, and maintenance from a fixed monthly income.

Illinois is not uniformly expensive across every region. Still, statewide reputation matters, and for many older movers comparing options in the Midwest, concerns about taxes and long-term affordability can put Illinois lower on the list than Indiana, Iowa, or Missouri.

Texas

Texas often attracts retirees because there is no state income tax, but that does not automatically make it cheap. Property taxes are a recurring issue, and insurance costs have become a larger concern in 2024 and 2025, especially in storm-prone and fast-growing parts of the state.

Housing prices in metro areas such as Austin, Dallas, and parts of coastal Texas rose sharply after 2020. Even where sale prices cooled from peak pandemic levels, total monthly ownership costs can still be significant once taxes, insurance, and HOA dues are included.

Heat is another factor. The National Weather Service and federal climate data have documented repeated stretches of extreme summer temperatures in Texas, and some retirees now weigh that alongside budget concerns when comparing the state with cooler alternatives.

Louisiana

Louisiana often enters retirement discussions because of storm risk, insurance strain, and health concerns. After several destructive hurricane seasons, state officials and insurers have acknowledged major pressure in the property insurance market, with some homeowners seeing steep premium increases or reduced options.

Health outcomes also affect retirement decisions. Public health rankings and federal data have shown Louisiana lagging many other states on several measures, which can matter to older adults who want both routine care and access to specialized treatment close to home.

For retirees comparing Gulf Coast states, Louisiana’s culture and lower home prices can still appeal. But insurance volatility, weather exposure, and uneven health care access in some areas have made the state a tougher sell for many risk-conscious households in 2025.

Alaska

Alaska stands apart from the other states on this list because its biggest hurdle is not just cost. For many retirees, the issue is access, with long travel distances, limited road connections, and smaller health care networks outside Anchorage, Fairbanks, and Juneau.

Living costs can also be high. Federal and state comparisons have long shown elevated prices for food, fuel, and basic goods in remote communities, where shipping and logistics add to everyday expenses in ways that many Lower 48 retirees do not expect.

That does not make Alaska an impossible retirement destination. But for older Americans who want predictable access to specialists, milder winters, and lower transportation costs, the state’s geography alone can push it off the shortlist, even before housing and utility bills are considered.