When my parents first started working on their retirement plans more than a decade ago, they considered relocating to several different nearby states. And while one state kept popping up on their radar thanks to access to everything from beaches to mountains, the lack of long-term affordability kept them from pulling the proverbial trigger.
Now, that state has just been named the worst place to retire in a report from Seniorly, and I’m kind of glad that my mom and dad passed it up all those years ago.
New Jersey Named Worst State for Retirees
In 2025, Seniorlycompiled data on all 50 states, looking at things like cost of living, access to healthcare, and overall recreational opportunities to come up with the best and worst places to retire. After reviewing all of the data, the company named New Jersey as the worst state to retire, calling it “one of the leas affordable states in the country.” The report says that the tax rate is 10.75 percent for top earners. And while it’s hard to imagine that retirees can be “top earners” these days, those with substantial retirement savings and investments could qualify.
Not only that, but Seniorly also noted a few other factors at play, stating that overall, the state has poor access to arts and recreation opportunity for seniors who are likely looking to stay active by filling their day with engaging and community driven activities. The report also determined that New Jersey has a very unhealthy senior population, stating that 65 percent of the seniors living in the state have more than three chronic conditions.
This hints at two different issues for those ages 65 an up, which include having to compete for healthcare options since so many seniors in the state will need specialists, as well as the potential for the environment itself to play a factor in your health as you age.
Several Other States Received Bottom Ratings for Retirees
In addition to New Jersey, Seniorly also called out several other states in its report, explaining that they also failed to meet some of the metrics that would matter most to seniors. The list includes:
Related: 10 Roadside Attractions That Are Still Worth Pulling Over For
While these states can be considered more affordable than others, it sounds like its the overall health of senior populations in these other states that landed them on the list, as well as below-average spending on long-term care, which likely means that the facilities that these seniors may need to call home once they can no longer live on their own may not be as nice or as updated as those in other states where the spending on long-term care facilities is higher.
Of course, all that being said, many people can make the most of any situation. And there are likely plenty of people who dream of retiring in New Jersey, especially if they are lucky enough to snag a place close to any of the state’s beautiful shore points, which should find more than enough opportunities for excursive and outdoor recreation.
This story was originally published by Parade on Mar 31, 2026, where it first appeared in the Life section. Add Parade as a Preferred Source by clicking here.