What is the best place to live on a fixed income?
Alaska: Fairbanks. Alaska is an income-tax and sales-tax-free state, making it one of the best places to retire on a fixed income. Home values in Fairbanks increased about 12.09% year over year, and the median home value is $255,438 -- below the national median of $287,148.
What state is the best financially to retire in? A 2022 Kiplinger analysis ranked the most tax-friendly places in the country for retirement: Alaska, Florida, Iowa, Mississippi, Nevada, Pennsylvania, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, and Wyoming.
- Decatur, Alabama. Cost of living for retirees: 11.0% below U.S. average. ...
- Prescott, Arizona. ...
- Hot Springs, Arkansas. ...
- Grand Junction, Colorado. ...
- Punta Gorda, Florida. ...
- Sandy Springs, Georgia. ...
- Boise, Idaho. ...
- Bloomington, Indiana.
Living on a fixed income means that you generally rely on a set amount of money coming in from one or two sources with very little flexibility in the amounts received. Making ends meet when on a fixed income during times of rising inflation can become challenging.
1. Iowa. Iowa ranks as the number one state to retire to. It offers an affordable cost of living and home prices and a strong economy, making it an attractive place to make retirement savings last longer.
- Iowa. Overall Rank: 1. ...
- Alabama. Overall Rank: 14. ...
- Missouri. Overall Rank: 4. ...
- Oklahoma. Overall Rank: 29. ...
- Indiana. Overall Rank: 40. ...
- Kansas. Overall Rank: 11. ...
- Wyoming. Overall Rank: 6. Quality/Cost of Health Care Rank: 38. ...
- Arkansas. Overall Rank: 23. Quality/Cost of Health Care Rank: 33.
1. Iowa. Iowa tops the list for best states to live on just a Social Security check thanks to a number of factors. Overall, the monthly cost of living-rent, groceries, healthcare, utilities, transportation, and any miscellaneous expenses-comes to just under $3,000.
Overall Rank | City | Financial Rank |
---|---|---|
1 | Barnstable, MA | 6 |
2 | Naples, FL | 18 |
3 | Ann Arbor, MI | 14 |
4 | Durham, NC | 13 |
Ranking | City | Monthly Expenditures |
---|---|---|
1 | Lake Charles, Louisiana | $1,566.43 |
2 | Lansing, Michigan | $1,610.05 |
3 | Cincinnati, Ohio | $1,629.13 |
4 | Shreveport, Louisiana | $1,637.09 |
Has your income declined or have you experienced a loss of financial resources? You may be able to get additional income through the Supplemental Security Income program, which helps seniors and the disabled who have limited income and financial resources.
How can I live comfortably on a fixed income?
- Live below your means. This maxim has never been more important than right now. ...
- Micromanage your budget. ...
- Avoid adding new debt. ...
- Consider moving for tax savings. ...
- Downsize to a smaller place. ...
- Have fun for free. ...
- Earn extra money on the side.
Define Fixed Income Sources for Retirement
Your Social Security payments may go up (or down) for cost of living adjustments, but once you start Social Security, your monthly payments are fixed. Pensions are like Social Security and are also considered to be fixed income.
What does living on a fixed income mean, exactly? Living on a fixed income generally applies to older adults who are no longer working and collecting a regular paycheck. Instead, they depend mostly or entirely on fixed payments from sources such as Social Security, pensions, and/or retirement savings.
Key takeaways. The best state to retire is Iowa because of its lower cost of living, affordable but high-quality healthcare and low crime. Delaware, West Virginia, Missouri and Mississippi round out the top five. The best and worst states for retirees are split geographically.
- Virginia tops the list of the best states for retirement with excellent scores in affordability, quality of life, and healthcare.
- Florida is second on the list of best states to retire in, which is unsurprising due to its low costs, generous tax laws, and high quality of life.
1: Iowa. With monthly housing costs for renters of just $740, Iowa is an incredibly affordable state for seniors on fixed incomes. Factor in low rates of fraud and violent injury death and the SeniorList—working from U.S. Census Bureau data—has named Iowa the safest state for seniors 65+.
- Staying in Your Home. This option is ideal if you do not need comprehensive care for your daily living—or just need some caregiving assistance. ...
- Living with Family. ...
- Public and Subsidized Senior Housing. ...
- Assisted Living and Residential Care Options.
The cheapest states to live in are Mississippi, Oklahoma, Kansas, Alabama, Georgia, Missouri, Iowa, Indiana, West Virginia, and Tennessee. Mississippi is the cheapest state to live in in the US, with a cost of living index of 85. The second cheapest state to live in is Oklahoma, with a cost of living index of 85.8.
Vermont ranks as the most generous state with the average low-income person receiving about $26,000 in benefits.
Kentucky, New Jersey, and Mississippi top the list of the worst places to retire in the U.S. in 2024, according to a new survey from WalletHub.
Where is the cheapest place to retire with good healthcare?
Many countries offer excellent health care, infrastructure and amenities at a fraction of the cost compared to the U.S. The cheapest places to retire abroad include Panama, the Philippines, Portugal, Malaysia, Mexico, Thailand and Vietnam.
States ranking for best health and healthcare for senior adults in the U.S. in 2023. In 2023, across all states in the United States, Utah was ranked as the healthiest state for older adults aged 65 years and above, followed by New Hampshire and Colorado.
States with the Oldest Population
Arguably, the state with the oldest population is Florida; residents ages 65 and older, make up the highest percentage of people there, but it, of course, depends on how you look at the statistics: By Percentage: The highest percentage of people ages 65 and over live in Florida.
But expensive housing isn't the only thing repelling retirees from the state. Inflation and stock market dips have also negatively impacted their financial situation. In response, seniors are seeking more affordable places to call home.
One state, Pennsylvania, dominates the 2024 list of best places to retire. Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, ranks as the No. 1 place to retire in the U.S. thanks to the overall happiness of its residents, retiree taxes and proximity to health care options.
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