Plootus Releases 2026 "Best States to Retire" Report, Revealing A $1.3 Million Gap Across the U.S

NEW HAVEN, Conn. - May 10, 2026 - PRLog -- Plootus today released its new "Best States to Retire in 2026" report, ranking all 50 U.S. states based on affordability, taxes, healthcare, and quality of life.

The research highlights a major retirement planning reality: where Americans retire can dramatically impact how long their savings last. According to the Plootus Research Team, the gap between the most and least expensive states to retire now exceeds $1.3 million in required retirement savings over a 25-year retirement period.

The report found that retirees in Hawaii, the nation's most expensive retirement state, may need more than $2.1 million in savings, while retirees in lower-cost states can maintain a similar lifestyle with significantly less.

Top 5 Best States to Retire in 2026

1. Wyoming
2. Florida
3. South Dakota
4. Colorado
5. Minnesota

The rankings were based on a weighted scoring model:

• Affordability (30%)
• Tax Friendliness (30%)
• Healthcare (20%)
• Quality of Life (20%)

Key findings include:

• States with no income tax, including Wyoming, Florida, and South Dakota, ranked strongly overall.
• Healthcare quality significantly influenced rankings, with Minnesota ranked #1 nationally for healthcare.
• Hawaii ranked among the least affordable states despite having one of the nation's lowest property tax rates.
• Retirees in high-cost states may require nearly three times the savings needed in lower-cost states.

The report analyzed data from sources including WalletHub, GOBankingRates, U.S. News & World Report, MERIC, the BLS Consumer Expenditure Survey, and the Tax Foundation.

"Most Americans focus on how much they need to save for retirement, but far fewer consider how geography affects retirement outcomes," said the Plootus Research Team. "This report shows that choosing the right state can have a major impact on long-term financial security."

The full report, "Best States to Retire in 2026: All 50 States Ranked," is available at https://www.plootus.com/best-states-to-retire/

ABOUT PLOOTUS

Plootus is a free, AI-powered retirement planning platform that helps Americans analyze and optimize their 401k, 403b, 457, and other workplace retirement plans.

Analyze Future LLC (dba Plootus) is a registered investment adviser with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). Registration does not imply a certain level of skill or training.

Disclaimer: Analyze Future LLC (dba Plootus) (an SEC-registered investment advisor) may receive compensation for referrals to third-party products and services listed on its Partners page. These referrals are for informational purposes only and do not constitute an endorsement or recommendation. Plootus has not conducted due diligence on, nor assumes responsibility for, any third-party offerings. Users are encouraged to evaluate these options independently before making any decisions.