Where you want to move in retirement is such a personal question. What kind of weather do you like, are you close by family, and what can you afford? WalletHub just released their view of the worst states based on affordability, health care, and liveability. The low ranking of some states is surprising given they are often recommended as good places to retire.

Take a look and see if it matches with your criteria.

Each State's Ranking

10 Worst States

10. Maryland Affordability Rank (out of 50): 42

Quality of Life Rank (out of 50): 30

Healthcare Rank (out of 50): 19

9. Louisiana Affordability Rank: 10

Quality of Life Rank: 45

Healthcare Rank: 45

8. Mississippi Affordability Rank: 3

Quality of Life Rank: 50

Healthcare Rank: 50

7. Arkansas Affordability Rank: 11

Quality of Life Rank: 49

Healthcare Rank: 46

6. New Mexico Affordability Rank: 33

Quality of Life Rank: 47

Healthcare Rank: 39

5. New Jersey Affordability Rank: 45

Quality of Life Rank: 33

Healthcare Rank: 29

4. Vermont Affordability Rank: 50

Quality of Life Rank: 6

Healthcare Rank: 23

3. West Virginia Affordability Rank: 22

Quality of Life Rank: 41

Healthcare Rank: 49

2. Rhode Island Affordability Rank: 46

Quality of Life Rank: 43

Healthcare Rank: 18

1. Kentucky Affordability Rank: 32

Quality of Life Rank: 48

Healthcare Rank: 47

WalletHub defines the criteria as follows, with a weight placed against each value. We listed all the criteria since it is important to understand what they consider important vs your personal criteria. For example, the proximity to museums might not be important for you in retirement.

One big question is where to move in retirement. If you're looking where move in retirement, check out our Retirement Relocator to get personalized recommendations.

How Ranks Calculated

Affordability

Adjusted Cost of Living

General Tax-Friendliness

Tax-Friendliness on Pensions & Social Security Income

Tax-Friendliness on Estate or Inheritance Tax

Annual Cost of In-Home Services

Annual Cost of Adult Day Health Care

Percent of Population 65 Years and Older Who Could Not Afford a Doctor Visit

Quality of Life

Share of Population Aged 65 Years and Older

Risk of Social Isolation

Elderly-Friendly Labor Market

Share of Population Aged 65 Years and Older in Poverty

Elderly Food Insecurity Rate

Expenditures Captured by the Administration on Aging per Population Aged 60 Years and Older

Access to Public Transportation

Mildness of Weather

Access to Scenic Byways

Shoreline Mileage

Museums per Capita

Theaters per Capita

Access to Adult Volunteer Activities

Elderly Volunteer Rate

Share of Residents Who Do Favors to Their Neighbors

Violent-Crime Rate

Property-Crime Rate

Quality of Elder-Abuse Protections

Air Quality

Drinking-Water Quality

Health Care

Family & General Physicians per Capita

Dentists per Capita: Full Weight

Nurses per Capita: Full Weight

Home Health Aides per Capita

Share of Geriatricians Required to Meet Estimated Need

Top-Rated Geriatrics Hospitals

Health-Care Facilities per Capita

Quality of Public Hospitals

Well-Being Index for Population Aged 55 Years and Older

Share of Population Aged 65 Years and Older with Good or Better Health

Share of Population Aged 65 Years and Older with Poor Mental Health

Share of Population Aged 65 Years and Older with a Disability

Share of Population Aged 65 Years and Older Who Are Physically Active

Share of Population Aged 65 Years and Older Who Are Obese

Share of Population Aged 65 Years and Older with Inadequate Sleep

Share of Medicare Enrollees Aged 65 Years and Older Who Have a Creditable Prescription Drug Plan

Life Expectancy

Death Rate for Population Aged 65 & Older

Images courtesy of Retirement Benefit News