New Hampshire ranked No. 1 best state to retire in 2025

Some really interesting news just hit the airwaves regarding New Hampshire. A report published by Bankrate indicated the best place to retire is not found in the retirement havens of Florida, the Carolinas, or Arizona, with their oceanfront and golfing communities. 

Instead, New Hampshire took the top spot as the No. 1 best state to retire in 2025. I’m sure this result will be shocking to many retirees who only consider warm weather, sandy beaches and year-round golf courses. This annual study was very extensive. Bankrate compared all 50 states across 15 data points spanning eight categories that would be most important to them if they moved in their retirement.

What’s also interesting to note is that Maine was picked as the No. 2 state, Vermont No. 4, Rhode Island No. 6, Connecticut No. 13, and Massachusetts No. 16. New England was well represented in this year’s report.

For the eight categories, New Hampshire placed No. 1 in neighborhood safety, No. 5 in health care, No. 6 in local taxes, No. 7 in people of similar age, No. 8 in miscellaneous/other categories, No. 14 in affordability, No. 15 in arts, entertainment, and recreation establishments, and No. 40 in weather.

The top 10 states to retire to were No. 1 New Hampshire, No. 2 Maine, No. 3 Wyoming, No. 4 Vermont, No. 5 Idaho, No. 6 Rhode Island, No. 7 West Virginia, No. 8 Wisconsin, No. 9 Utah, and No. 10 Virginia.

The five worst states to retire in were No. 50 Louisiana, No. 49 Texas, No. 48 Oklahoma, No. 47 Arkansas, and No. 46 Nebraska.

Our parents’ generation gravitated toward white sandy beaches and mild sunny winter climates, and possibly we are seeing a shift. I’ve always thought New Hampshire was known for its skiing, beautiful short summers and radiant fall seasons.

It looks like today’s semi-retired and retired are looking for more than sunny, hot climates. They’re focusing on neighborhood safety, health care, affordability, state and local taxes, similar ages, quality of life, air pollution, arts, year-round recreation, entertainment, proximity to children and grandchildren, and other factors. 

Florida didn’t land very high on the list; it came in at No. 41. The state ranked well on taxes and a lot of other retirees with the same interests. However, the state ranked low on health care, homeowners’ insurance costs, and natural disasters.

My gut reaction to why New Hampshire showed up so favorably all around is because the Granite State is a four-season state. Think about it, if couples who are used to experiencing all four seasons move to Florida, the Carolinas, Georgia, Arizona, etc., where the weather is the same every single day, no thanks. It’s mundane, even if the weather is sunny and 75-80 degrees every day, and what about Christmas and Thanksgiving? It’s just not the same.

In New Hampshire, all of us enjoy a plethora of outdoor activities year-round. From skiing, snowboarding, ice skating, pond hockey, snowmobiling, ice fishing, cross-country skiing, hiking and enjoying the light fluffy snow and making snowmen with the grandkids to the endless summer and fall recreation the lakes, mountains, and Atlantic Ocean provide…life is good.

In New Hampshire, 20% of residents are 65 and older, so seniors can build a network of retirement-age friends with similar interests. In New Hampshire, we have no state income tax, estate tax, sales tax, or interest and dividends tax (that just got voted in this year).

NH does not tax social security benefits, pension income, or withdrawals from retirement accounts like 401(k)’s and IRAs. Also, in New Hampshire, senior citizens get free skiing at Cannon Mountain, a golden pass is free skiing for Belknap County residents over 70 years old at Gunstock Ski Area, discounts to state parks, beaches, and recreational events. 

Based on this current report, it appears retirees and semi-retirees are looking beyond the typical categories of year-round sun, hot weather, and long sandy beaches. Instead, they’re looking at risk factors like hurricanes, tornadoes, tropical storms, floods, and forest fires. They want to be closer to their kids and grandkids, they want to be away from crime, and they seek safe neighborhoods, good doctors, hospitals, and top-rate medical access.

They want lots of year-round recreation opportunities with easy access, and they want excellent air quality. U.S. News and World Report ranks New Hampshire the second best state in the country for air quality, and New Hampshire is also ranked third best for water quality.

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This article was written by Frank Roche, president of Roche Realty Group with offices in Meredith and Laconia, and can be reached at 603-279-7046. Visit rocherealty.com to learn more about the Lakes Region and its real estate market.