Texas is the best state to retire to in 2025, study shows. Here's why

If you're a Texan nearing retirement age, you may not need to look too far to find a comfortable place to live out your golden years.
In a recent study, retirement experts at Gold IRA Custodians analyzed data from all 50 U.S. states to determine the best and the worst destinations to retire to in 2025.
"Finding the right retirement location involves balancing multiple factors that impact both quality of life and financial security," Gold IRA Custodians founder Tim Schmidt says. "Our research aimed to provide a clear picture of which states offer the most favorable conditions for retirees."
States were evaluated along six key metrics: average cost of living, median house prices, number of healthcare facilities, number of nursing homes, crime rates and tax benefits for retirees. These metrics were weighted to calculate a final "retirement score."
Texas was deemed the best state for retirees in 2025. Here's a breakdown of the findings.
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When compared with other states, the Lone Star State claims the most healthcare facilities and nursing homes. It also boasts below-average living costs and accessible home prices in relation to other coastal states. Without a state income tax, retirees in Texas can often comfortably live on fixed incomes.
"Texas provides a balance that appeals to retirees," Schmidt says. "The state offers relatively affordable housing below many coastal states, while maintaining a manageable cost of living below the national average."
However, there is also much room for improvement. For one, Texas' crime rate is higher than any other state on the top ten list. The study also doesn't go beyond the numbers: If it did, it would show that while Texas has the most care facilities and nursing homes, long-term institutions are facing staff shortages. Advocates are looking to lawmakers for more support to combat this, including improving the ombudsman program through additional funding, establishing stricter discharge laws, and increasing staff at these facilities.
Here's what the study found:
Average cost of living score: 92.7
Median house price: $349,000
Number of healthcare facilities: 509
Number of nursing homes: 1,184
Crime rate: 406
Retirement score: 78
Rank
State
Average cost of living score(lower= better)
Retirement score(higher = better)
1
Texas
92.7
78
2
Pennsylvania
95.1
62
3
Illinois
94.4
62
4
Florida
102.8
58
5
Mississippi
87.9
57
6
Ohio
94.2
57
7
Alabama
88
53
8
Iowa
89.7
49
9
Indiana
90.5
49
10
South Dakota
92.2
48
Rank
State
Average cost of living score(lower = better)
Retirement score(higher = better)
1
Hawaii
186.9
4
2
Massachusetts
145.9
23
3
New Mexico
93.3
26
4
Colorado
102
27
5
Maryland
115.3
28
6
Alaska
123.8
29
7
Montana
94.9
29
8
Oregon
112
30
9
Utah
104.9
30
10
Rhode Island
112.2
31
This article originally appeared on Austin American-Statesman: Best states to retire to in 2025: Texas is ideal for golden years

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