Let’s be real—retirement isn’t what it used to be. Gone are the days of gold watches and settling down two blocks from where you worked for 40 years. Today’s retirees are flipping the script: downsizing, decluttering, and definitely not sticking around in states where taxes, weather, or healthcare systems make their golden years feel more like tin foil. And honestly? Who can blame them.
From sky-high property taxes to winters that feel like punishment, retirees are packing up and peacing out of certain states in droves. But it’s not just about what they’re leaving behind—it’s where they’re headed that tells the real story. Think sunny beaches, lower living costs, and enough golf carts to start a fleet. So if you’re curious where the silver-haired crowd is headed—and why your neighbor’s house just sold to someone 30 years younger—keep reading. These are the eight states retirees are ditching, and the places they’re falling in love with instead.
1. New Jersey — Florida
New Jersey has long worn the crown for crushing property and income taxes, and many retirees are saying, “Been there, taxed that.” The state’s top marginal income-tax rate ranks among the nation’s highest, and average property–tax bills hover near $10,000—enough to make anyone’s Social Security check sweat. No wonder Garden Staters are scouting sunnier pastures: one recent analysis found New Jersey in the top three for outbound wealth migration.
Per Bloomberg, Florida enjoyed the biggest net gain in wealth moving out of high-tax states like New Jersey—adding a cool $17.2 billion from just one year of IRS data Garden State Initiative. Downing tax woes is only part of the draw: retirees crave the Sunshine State’s zero income-tax policy, swaying beach lovers and early birds alike.
Beyond the tax perks, Florida scores major bonus points for year-round golf tee times, “snowbird”-friendly winter rentals, and a colossal retiree community that makes new friends as easy as shelling peanuts. Even healthcare giants like Mayo Clinic have set up shop in Jacksonville and Tampa, so those annual check-ups feel more like spa days. Plus, with AARP’s “Best Places to Retire” lists routinely spotlighting spots from Naples to Sarasota, it’s clear why Garden Staters are ex-glad to be Florida-bound.
2. Illinois — Arizona
Illinois retirees have been hit by double whammies: grim winter storms and property-tax rates that soar over 2% of home value in parts of Cook County. Toss in Chicago’s ever-rising living costs, and it’s easy to see why Midwesterners are dusting off their sand-scented flip-flops.
A recent New York Post exposé shows Illinois among the top states retirees are fleeing due to bloated property taxes—while Arizona boasts rates under 0.5% in many counties New York Post. Sun-seekers love dialing back on winter heating bills and swapping snow shovels for desert hikes.
Once you factor in Arizona’s no-tax-on-retirement-income policy and sprawling 55-plus communities (hello, Sun City and Leisure World), the Grand Canyon State becomes almost irresistible. Factor in epic sunsets, golf courses that outnumber tumbleweeds, and health systems primed for retirees, and Illinoisans have every reason to head west.
3. New York — South Carolina
New York retirees know all too well the sticker shock of city living: sky-high rents, jammed subways, and a state income-tax rate topping 8.82%. Combine that with winters that feel like an ice-bath marathon and property taxes north of 1.5%, and the Empire State starts to feel more “exhausting” than “iconic.”
According to a recent New York Post deep-dive, South Carolina surged as a top magnet for former New Yorkers in 2024, with Myrtle Beach and Charleston leading the charge New York Post. Retirees are lured by mild winters, tax breaks on retirement income, and a cost of living some 10% below the national average.
Those swapped-for-Broadway ambitions find beaches, barbecue trails, and golf cart-friendly neighborhoods—plus state policies that exempt Social Security benefits from income tax. Couple that with easy flights back to NYC for grandkids’ recitals, and South Carolina checks “home base” without draining your 401(k).
4. California — Texas
Golden State retirees have been shell-shocked by wildfires, drought, and a cost of living that makes even avocado toast feel extravagant. With median home prices topping $800K in many coastal enclaves, it’s no surprise folks are eyeing greener pastures.
As reported by Raymond James, Texas ranks among the top five destinations for Californians seeking a friendlier fiscal climate—no state income tax and housing prices nearly half of L.A.’s market Raymond James. From Austin’s live-music scene to San Antonio’s River Walk, the Lone Star State blends affordability with big-city amenities.
Plus, year-round warmth means no more winterizing your pipes—just endless sunshine, backyard barbecues, and a booming health-care infrastructure (Baylor Scott & White, anyone?). All told, swapping the Pacific for the Gulf Coast has become the ultimate retirement power move for many Golden Staters.
5. Massachusetts — Delaware
Massachusetts retirees often find themselves trading baked-bean history tours for lower-cost living and gentler winters. Property taxes north of 1.2% and steep state income taxes make Beantown feel less “chowder-friendly,” especially as Medicare premiums eat into monthly budgets.
A recent United Van Lines study ranked Delaware as the No. 2 inbound state in 2024—right behind West Virginia—highlighting how many Bay Staters are fleeing to the First State United Van Lines. Delaware’s lack of a sales tax, modest property-tax rates, and pension-income exclusions turn those hefty retirement checks into extra spoons of Silver-Spoon Boston cream pie.
Add in the solace of beaches like Rehoboth and Lewes, proximity to major East Coast hubs via I-95, and a slower pace that still boasts top-tier healthcare at ChristianaCare, and it’s clear why Massachusettsans are charting courses down the Delaware Bay.
6. North Dakota — Oregon
In North Dakota, retirees are trading endless winter darkness, sub-zero wind chills, and a struggling job market for the mist-shrouded beauty of the Pacific Northwest. Many are drawn to Oregon’s moderate tax climate (no sales tax!), lush forests, and coastal drives that look like they leapt off a Pinterest board.
Between wine country in the Willamette Valley, senior retreats along the Columbia River Gorge, and Portland’s unexpectedly vibrant arts scene, North Dakotans find the transition from prairie plains to rainy pines both invigorating and wallet-friendly.
7. Wyoming — Colorado
Wyoming’s skies might be wide open, but retirees fed up with limited healthcare options and high property values in Jackson Hole are packing up for Colorado’s Front Range. With more hospitals, senior-friendly communities, and an elevation that still lets you breathe, Colorado offers a sweet spot between Rocky Mountain vistas and urban comforts in Denver and Boulder. It also boasts an artsy oasis in Fort Collins, where monthly galleries and live-music nights keep the calendar buzzing. Outdoor enthusiasts can swap snow-blown roads for 300 days of sunshine a year, perfect for hiking the Flatirons or kayaking the Arkansas River without the sub-zero chills. And if you’re craving culture, world-class dining and craft-brew scenes in places like Boulder mean brunch and brewery tours are practically a retirement rite of passage.
Plus, no state income tax on Social Security benefits and a lower overall cost of living than Big Sky Country means you can spend more on weekend ski passes and less on moving trucks. Property taxes here hover well below the national average, so that mountain-view bungalow won’t break the bank.
8. Mississippi — Tennessee
Mississippi retirees, wearied by the state’s top-10 ranking for worst healthcare access, are migrating to Tennessee for both medical and musical perks. The Volunteer State not only shelters Social Security from state taxes but also hosts healthcare titans like Vanderbilt and St. Jude—vital for anyone eyeing long, healthy golden years. Beyond the big hospitals, you’ll find tight-knit retirement communities in Franklin and Murfreesboro, where neighbors greet you by name and potluck dinners are a weekly social event. Tennessee’s relatively mild winters—think crisp mornings with temps rarely dipping below freezing—mean you’ll spend more time on patios than scraping windshields. And don’t forget that legendary live-music pedigree: from bluegrass festivals in Bristol to jazz nights in Memphis, there’s always a soundtrack for your next adventure.
Whether it’s strolling Nashville’s Honky-Tonks, exploring Chattanooga’s Lookout Mountain, or simply enjoyin’ those sweet southern summers without dipping below 20°F, Mississippi seniors are finding Tennessee’s low taxes and live-music bona fides hard to resist. Plus, with housing costs about 15% below the national average, you’ll still have plenty of dough left over for front-row seats at the Grand Ole Opry.
This article is for informational purposes only and should not be construed as financial advice. Consult a financial professional before making investment or other financial decisions. The author and publisher make no warranties of any kind.
