We’ve known for a long time that Idaho is a great place to live and raise a family, but come to find out it’s a pretty great place to retire as well! WalletHub recently released a list of the “Best States to Retire” for 2020, and Idaho made it right into the top 10. Using 47 key indicators to determine what makes a state one of the best places to retire, you may just be interested in learning why the Gem State received such a high ranking. Read on to check it out!
According to a recent study from WalletHub, the Gem State is the ninth best place to retire in America. Based on the analysis of three key factors, it was easy to see why a great state like Idaho made it so high on the list.
WalletHub's methodology included ranking each state in regards to affordability, quality of life, and health care and giving each state an overall score. The number one spot was snagged by Florida with a total score of 63.02, but Idaho nabbed the ninth spot with a score of 56.80.
When it came to the three ranked factors, Idaho scored best on affordability. It was ranked as the 13th most affordable state—a ranking calculated by looking at things like cost of living, cost of in-home services, general tax-friendliness, and share of population aged 65 and older who could not afford a doctor visit.
In regards to quality of life, Idaho ranked 19th best in the country. This category was analyzed by looking at metrics that directly affect seniors and include items like risk of social isolation, elderly-friendly labor market, access to public transportation, and mildness of weather.
The category that Idaho ranked worst in was that of health care, in which the Gem State ranked 30th. Although there is definitely room for improvement, it looks like Idaho still scored well enough when it came to things like health aides per capita, health care facilities per capita, and quality of public hospitals.
We have to admit we aren't too surprised to see Idaho ranked so highly on this list. After all, our state is a wonderful place to live in general! The only states to beat out Idaho for "retirability" were Wisconsin, Virginia, Delaware, Wyoming, Utah, New Hampshire, Colorado, and (as mentioned) Florida.
So, what states ranked last on WalletHub's list? Taking up the last three spots on the list were Rhode Island, New Mexico, and Kentucky. Learn more behind WalletHub's thorough methodology and what specific states excelled in by visiting the complete list here.
