You might want to make a move to this state in your golden years
New Report: This Is the Happiest State for Retirees
Published on Jun. 11, 2025
We all have our own personal ideas of what the perfect retirement looks like and where it might be. (Um, a beach in Hawaii with a cocktail in hand, anyone?) But, of course, deciding where to retire depends on a variety of factors, from cost of living to proximity to family—especially grandkids! One of the most important considerations, however, should be your overall happiness.
While happiness may seem hard to quantify, enough research has been done to rank each state by how content its residents are, particularly its older population. And a brand-new study from Caring.com, officially dubbed the Senior Happiness Index, look at the data and crunched all the numbers to come up with the happiest state for retirees.
Whether retirement is just on the horizon or in your distant future, it’s never too early to start thinking about your golden years. Read on to learn more about the happiest states for retirees—and see if where you live is on the list.
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How was the study conducted?
To come up with the happiest spots in the U.S. for retirees, Caring.com’s Senior Happiness Index considered various factors: the availability of senior centers per 100,000 people; the percentage of seniors (65 years and older) living independently, per the latest Census Bureau data; senior health rankings from America’s Health Rankings 2024 Senior Report; and state-by-state cost of living indices.
The study also took into account data like average annual life expectancy, as well as the findings from WalletHub’s 2024 study on the happiest states in the U.S.
From there, Caring.com analyzed the results to come up with a score for each state. The maximum score was 10.
Which state is the happiest for retirees?
The happiest state for retirees is … Utah! It earned a “happiness score” of 7.69 out of 10 for its high quality of life, including its natural beauty, low crime rates and clean air (especially in rural and suburban areas), as well as its many positive factors for people in their retirement years.
“Where you live can have a big impact on your mood and mental health in retirement,” says Aerial Cetnar, PhD, a licensed psychotherapist who has worked with older adults both in private practice and in hospice settings. “Happiness in retirement can come from a sense of purpose, meaningful relationships, good physical health, financial stability and the ability to enjoy life.”
Why did Utah earn the top spot?
There are many reasons Utah topped the list. Aside from that high quality of life we mentioned above, it also boasts great health outcomes for seniors, a high rate of volunteerism and a low percentage of social isolation. Here’s a more in-depth look at the findings.
Moderate cost of living
While Utah isn’t the cheapest state for affordable living, its cost of living is relatively moderate compared with other Western states. This helps retirees live more comfortably and with less worry. “Relocating to states and cities with a lower cost of living is a common strategy among my clients,” says Elizabeth Zelinka Parsons, a retirement transition expert and lawyer. “Even for those who have abundant financial resources, it can be reassuring to reduce the baseline of fixed expenses that it takes to live life.”
High percentage of seniors in good health
Utah consistently ranks high in senior health metrics. In 2024, it was recognized as the healthiest state for older adults by Caring.com, and many retirees enjoy having access to outdoor recreation, including national parks, hiking, skiing and scenic drives. “Being near quality health care and having access to the activities that bring you joy—whether that’s nature, arts or community groups—supports both physical and emotional well-being,” says psychotherapist Brianna Paruolo, founder of On Par Therapy.
Low percentage of seniors living alone
Another quality that makes Utah one of the best states for retirees is that it has the third-lowest percentage of seniors aged 65 and over living alone—just 21.48%—which helps lower the risk of social isolation. “Isolation can be a big risk factor for depression in older adults, so locations that allow connection and accessibility are best for mental well-being,” Cetnar says. “Feeling a sense of belonging in your community is really important, whether that’s through local events, shared interests or simply friendly neighbors.”
High rate of active volunteerism among retirees
More than two-fifths (44%) of seniors in the state of Utah volunteer, which is the highest rate of any state in the U.S. “Many retirees can struggle with the loss of routine, identity and daily social interactions that work previously provided,” Cetnar says. “There’s often a need to feel useful, connected and intellectually stimulated.” Volunteer work and mentoring can give older adults a sense of identity and purpose.
What other cities earned a top spot on the list?
Rounding out the top three on the list of best states for retirees are Idaho and Connecticut. Here’s what makes them great places for older people to thrive:
Idaho
Scoring 7.38 out of 10, the great state of Idaho has many qualities that make it an excellent place to retire. Not only has it been ranked as one of the top 10 happiest states, but it also has more than 30 state parks (and many opportunities for outdoor recreation). Plus, it ranks second-lowest in the number of seniors living by themselves. Idaho also has abundant services for seniors, with an average of 3.1 senior centers per population of 100,000.
Connecticut
The No. 3 state is Connecticut, which has a happiness score of 7.01 out of 10. Connecticut is in the top 10 happiest states as ranked by WalletHub, and it is also in the top 10 states for overall health. The state has the third-highest average life expectancy compared with all states (79.2 years), and only 7.2% of Connecticut’s population lacks health insurance, which is much lower than the national average of 11.3%.
What else did the study find?
In addition to ranking states within its happiness index, Caring.com determined various superlatives using its collective data to find the best states in various key categories for retirees. Some of the highlights include:
The state with the highest average life expectancy
Hawaii has the highest life expectancy in the U.S., at 79.9 years. Maybe it’s the sunshine and beautiful scenery, maybe it’s the slower pace of life or maybe it’s due to the fact that many households in Hawaii are multigenerational. Most likely, it’s a combination of all these factors that increases the quality, and length, of life in this state.
The state with the most affordable cost of living
West Virginia topped this ranking, making it the most affordable place for seniors to settle down. The state also boasts health-care costs that are around 2.3% more affordable than the national average.
The state with the lowest population of seniors living alone
Hawaii earns this honor, with just over 19% of the state’s senior population living alone, compared with the national average of approximately 28%. Multigenerational households and a cultural priority placed on elders help ensure that many seniors have family to take care of them.
The state with the most senior care centers
North Dakota tops the list with 6.9 senior centers per population of 100,000. Access to quality care is crucial for making sure that aging people get the attention they need as they navigate their later years.
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Sources:
- Caring.com: “Senior Happiness Index”
- Aerial Cetnar, licensed psychotherapist; interviewed, June 2025
- Brianna Paruolo, psychotherapist and founder of On Par Therapy; interviewed, June 2025
- Elizabeth Zelinka Parsons, lawyer, retirement transition expert and author of Encore: A High Achiever’s Guide to Thriving in Retirement; interviewed, June 2025
