WalletHub: R.I. worst state to retire

RHODE ISLAND is the worst state to retire, according to WalletHub, which rated states and the District of Columbia on adjusted cost of living, entertainment options per capita and  public-hospital rankings, among other factors. / COURTESY WALLETHUB
RHODE ISLAND is the worst state to retire, according to WalletHub, which rated states and the District of Columbia on adjusted cost of living, entertainment options per capita and public-hospital rankings, among other factors. / COURTESY WALLETHUB

PROVIDENCE – Rhode Island is the worst state to retire, according to WalletHub, which rated states and the District of Columbia on adjusted cost of living, entertainment options per capita and public-hospital rankings, among 20 other factors.
The Ocean State also came in last place in the subcategory of affordability and near the bottom – 45th – on quality of life. It performed better, though worse than average, in the subcategory of health care, coming in 36th.
WalletHub also made mention of Rhode Island’s fourth-worst state for taxpayers ranking; that data also was used to rank the states, the personal finance website stated.
The top spot unsurprisingly went to Florida, long known as a retirement destination. It placed second for affordability, third for quality of life, and 15th for health care. Wyoming, South Dakota, South Carolina and Colorado rounded out the top five.
The highest-ranking New England state was Maine at 30th, followed by New Hampshire and Massachusetts, at 38th and 39th, respectively. Vermont and Connecticut were in the bottom five with Rhode Island, at 47th and 48th. Hawaii was 49th and the District of Columbia, 50th.
“If retirement is still a big question mark for you because of finances, we recommend you consider relocating to a retirement-friendly state — one that will let you keep more money in your pocket without drastically modifying your lifestyle,” the website said.
WalletHub also studied the percentage of the population age 65 and older, number of museums, theaters, golf courses and music venues per capita, and life expectancy, as well as crime rates, air quality and cost of in-home services to come up with its rankings.

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